The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-08-14
MR.. CRANSTON.

MR.. CRANSTON.
writer ia the two last numbers. of IN,
Herald Of the Times, over the signature " Mad
ison,' has undertaken the Herculean labor o
justifying the votes Of Mr.. Crsnston, on tn,
appropriation for the defence Of Florida on IN,
CiIley duel, and on the defence bill. II ma,
De inferred that the task is no easy one. wber
SIX columns have already been displayed 10 de-
tending his course upon the first only Of those
important questions. The reasons assigned
by" Madison" for the vote Of Mr.. C.. on the
FLORIDA appropriation, are, 1st, that he was for
p'ace with the Indians: ed, that he required
IN account Of past expenditures in the Florida
War before he was willing to vote further
sum Tor its prosecution: 3rd, that by refusing
the appropriation the army would be Withdrawn
from Florida, aud the Executive compelled to
make peace with the Seminoles. Let us see
how far these 'oetghty reasons go to rescue the
vote OF Mr.. Cranston and that Of Strauon of
New Jersey,--the only two recorded against
the appropriation the mputations cast
upon their patriotism, as well by political
friends as foes
~ was nor question Of peace or war which
Mr' ~ was called upon TO decde. That had
been already determined. Whatever mipbt
have caused the war, it was raging; and the
people OF Florida were calling upon the Gov
ernment for protection. There could be no
peace with the Indians unless they were allowed
to remain upon their own tc rms, or until thew
were forei5ly driven from the territory. Ever
nov, with numbers greatly diminished by fam.
me- disease aud battle. after conflict Of four
years duration, they are still opposed TO
peace. There Was therefore 20 alternative but
to surrender to them possession of tn.
territory, or carry on the war. The on
!y conscientious involved 10 the question
to be settled, were, shall our army b,
led. clothed pad, aud supplied With arms sud
aHmGHIlioH' Shall the property ofthe inhab.
Htiuts OF Elorida be saved fruuI destructiou. aud
the Ives af helpless women and children ,
rum the uiercilcss savage, brsathIrg v.nt,aur.
and tiirsring far 1nud No naarr,r by ,bou,
1r ior siiat r-5sans, r1c war had bssu COM.
nencrd The tGmalask aud rifle we're raised
''ie irn-braud applied, and the people Of FIori-
ia we're IN the midst Of cunflgrstioa and mas
sacrs- So Thought every representative 10
Congress bur CaA-sroS iad SSrlrtau In ev-
-ry breast hut atr1-y, patriotism trigmphed over
party. Evsgy sote bat gtcirs, was siTea 10 ac-
ssr-auce WITH the soIeuaa Iuty Of mutual De.
fsucr, Impuseri by the cousti,atioa upon the .
states. Wha BESIDES CaAysroS and S,rattou
we're wiling to leave the people Of F!oriI, to
70: tender -1ercies Of savage foe, until tn. ac.
caaat Of past expenditure. could be examined,
aEd they could ascertain if wood had been pur
chased, or steamers employed at too high a
PSIce. And pray, il his suspicious Of wa.teful
expenditure by the government had been con
hrmed, did Mr.. Cranston intend to visit the sins
OF the administration on the people of Florida
aat refuse TO them all further aid and protec-
lion Would Mr.. Cranstou, had he found
that the sums before appropriated to the pros
scu;ion Of the war were misapplied or'profuse-
" expended, for that reason have compelled
the Executive to withdraw the army from Flor.
ia, ani to make peace with the Seminoles up-
on any terms +! lf the writer, who has attempt.
ei his defence, is authorised to speak Tor him,
sitoi ,couid haze been his course.
These are the reasons advanced by Madi-
,on' in justification of the vote Of Mr.. Grams
ton on the bill for the defence of Florida. Are
they. can they be satisfactory to intelligent and
patriotic men. Grave and weghty they NAV
be held to be by patriots like those who in the ,
war Of 1912 convened at Hartford but not by 4,
the great body of the American people.
And here we must pause, until Madison" Il
v-who ought to have been ashamed to subscribe
a name SO llus,rious to such sentiments as he
has advanced.-shal have given to the world
further portion ofhis long and laborious defence.