Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1841-10-22


II we were bound TO do it. we were
bound to do it avowedIy and above
board; but we disclamed all intention
OF taking any part in il. And yet there
was very little disguise about this expe
dition; and that this vessel was there
for the purpose OF hostility agalns, the
Canadian Government. | say, there
fore, that we struck the first blow; and
if, instead of pressing this matter to a
war, we were TO refer it TO third Pow
er, even III should be to an European
Republic, if any such thing is remain.
ing, and should say there had bsen an
invasion Of our territory, they would
ask us question something like that
which was put to character in play OF
Moliere Que diabte GlIait ii tdjre dams
cette galie,e? "What the d. had he
10 do in that gaIeryw Great laugh
ter.
Now, think the arbitrator would
say, "What the d. had you TO do with
that steamboat" They would say that
we struck the first blow. Nov, admit
that and none Of your State rights men
can deny it-admit that, and all the
rest follows of course, They will say
it was wrong abstrOctly, il you please.
Talking Of distractions, it was wrong for
an expedition 10 come over aud burn
the steamboat, and send her over the
falls. But what was your steamboat
abOutl What had she been dolng?-
What was she to do the next morning ?
And what ought you to do? You have
reparatlon 10 make for all the men and
for all the arms and imp ements OF war
which we were transporting and going
to transport to the other side, TO (oment
and instigate rebellion in Canada. That
is what the third party would say 10 US.
And it would come, in the end, after all
the blood and treasure had been wasted
by a war between the Two countries, TO
this: that we must shake hands and
drink champagne together, after having
made a mutual apology Tor mutual trans
sression. That is the way things are
settled between individOas. "lf you
said so, why, said sos" and thus the
dispute is amicably settled So we
should have to do with this national
matter, for there is not any great dill
ference, in the essentials OF quarrelllng
and making up, between nations and in.
dividuas See fight in the street be-
f tween two boys, who give each other
bloody noses; and when the question
comes TO be settled between them, the
basis of the settlement is, who gave the
first blow? And the award Of any hon
est umpire is, after suffering the parlle;
10 fight it out, that he who struck the
first blow was in the wrong. And SO i,
is with nations Why. then, are you
talking Of State rights and Of indepen-
dence in connexion with this question
1t has nothing 10 do with it.
There is, sir, another point of view ia
which | otjecI TO this resolution. / have
seen here, IN another part OF this buIid
/ ing TO which 1t would not be In order tc
refer except indirectly, although ! die
hear, the other day, such dressing o
this House in that body that | though
almost had right TO get up and prOteS
, against it, But will not refer TO the
matter except in terms which come with
IN the rules of order. have hearc
there, and seen in the newspapers ou
OF doors, prodigious affair made OF thI:
, matter, as il the Government Of the Uni
led States had outraged the State o
= New York because The great Empire
State of New York had undertaken t
/ say that she would hang Mcleod, what
ever the General Government or Grea
Britain might do Yes! whatever
they might do, the grea! Empire State
, of New York would hang McLeod!-
{ That was the language, What, sir,
, ask, is the object Of this resolutionR II
, inquire Of the President Of The UnileC
/ States whether any officer Of the Army
. or the Attorney General Of the Unitec
/ States, since the 4th of March last, ha'
visited the Slate Of New York for any
, purpose connected with the trial Of Al
exander Mcleod?
. | believe that question was answered
before it was asked think the nfor-
, nation was contained in a document
communicated by the President of The
. United States, which stated not only
that a General was sent, bu: that instruc
= !, tions were given to the Attorney Cen
! eraI; and the instructions themselves
! were communicated to Congress, with
, the Presidents Message, at the very
r commencement Of The session
, Why, then, should this House be oc-
, cupied hour after hour in discussing
whe ether the Attorney General was sent
, to New York, and what he was about
there, when the President himself has
, told you that he was sent and the object
Of his mission.
Every body knew it before the ques