The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1841-07-15
CONGR ESSEDNsI..
SPEECH OF MR. BENTON,
ON THE
CASE OF MCLEOD.

on Foreign Affairs.
Mr.. BENTON would take this opportunity toex-
press his opinions the subject before the Senate. and
would take the occasion TO say that he would ALWAYS
choose to speak during the usual hours of business
the Senate but fprevented from speaking al such hours
he must have recourse 10 those, which were unusual
and at this ofthe year oppressive. lie would
speak in the night ifhe could not in tho dayl reiusas
to adjourn should moi debar him Of his right. lie had
right to speak, and should exercise that right not to
annoy the Senate delay business buto discharge
his duty to the country, and to show that he able
and determined 10 assert and 10 vindcate his rights
Mr.. B. believed that tho gentleman whose correspon-
dence was the subject ofdiscussion and who might be
considered chiefly interested in it, (thO Secretary of
Sale would have objection to this dsGIssioni neth
er 10 It's cha -acte nor the time it would consume.
That gentleman had done, at former session, infinite"
ly more than it was proposed to do now. Mr.. B.
smoke of the session of May, 1873 called by Mr..
Madison to provide ofcarying on the war, and
SO large proportion of which was consumed in part
san attacks upon the character and measures OF the Ad,
mn;stration. Mr. b. was young man at that time, a
ysiter at Washington and often took his stand among
other ysers in the crowded and heated lobby of the
House. Standing in that place he Representa-
tive from the State of N. Hampshire, the Secrea>
Ey of5tae, Mr.. Webster submit his celebrated
tons against the administration of Mr.. Madison; and
during the month which he remained at Washington,
he heard these resolutions debated day in and day out
hy tho whole phaIanx of the Federal party to the
cluson of the BUSINESS for which Congress called
together and to the delay of the supplies which the in
valed and bleeding condition of the country imperi-
ously demanded. lie heard the mover of the resoII
tons deliver his whitening denunciations against his
own Government; he him followed by the solid
column of the Federal battalion then in the House, he
saw the Democracy, patient and forbearing giving
them all the time they would ask, and all the scope
they would take; and avaled himself more fully
of Democratic 0rbearance than the mover ofhe resos
ulions himself He had time and scope to his hearts
c,ntent in attacking his own government aud that in
line of war, and at called session of Congress. The
recollection of this must have its effect upon the mind
nf him who then the subject of much forbear>
ance He must be willing and even ANXIOUS to extend
to others the indulgence of which he has had the bene>
fit He rust be willing that those who please should
have their time and scope at this extra session OF Com
ercss called in time Of peace TO take snap judgments
the American people, 10 arrasn an act OF his, in which
how asthrty years ago he has the misfortune
10 appear the wrong side OF his countrys cause.
Mr. b. SAID the history of our country contained
warning lesson to gentlemen who take the side Ofa for
egn country against their own:he alluded TO the
of Arbuthnot and Ambrister seized among the Seminole
Indians in 1918, aud hung outlaws and pirates by the
orders of Gen, Jackson. The news ofthat execution
was heard with Joy by the American people, who con-
sidsred these Englishmen thousand tunes cul
pahe than the wretched savages wham they stimulated
10 the murder of women and children, and who had a.
band med their own country, and the white race to
which they belonged to join savages against country
with which their own Government was at peace. The
country heard the of the execution with Joy; they
approved the act ofGen. Jackson, Not with the
politicians the politicians ofthe Federal school espec.
ally. They CONDEMNED II; partisan presses attacked il;
and when Congress met, committees OF each House Of
Congress reported against it-loudy condemned t-and
wer5 followed by crowd Of speakers. All the phra.
ses now heard in claiming exemption for i.eOd and
bswaiIing his fate. then heard in deporing the
fate of Arbnthnot and Ambrister. Voaaton of the
laws of ns-nhuman-unworthy Of the nineteenth
cent Ty--sh0cklng TO humanity -barberous-~unciyIli,
zch subicctng us to reprisas, and even 10 from
Eugand-draw ng upon us the reproaches of Chrsten-
DOM and the wrath of Heaven; such the Ol-
lay pb'ases with which the two Houses Of Congress
then resounded 70 hear what said, and it would
eGem that the British lion would be instantly upon
We were taught to remble for tho return news from
Eng and. Well! it came! and what was III Not one
word fro the British Government against the act of
Jarkson Nntthe scrape of a pen from Minister
i,e subject Not 4 word IN Parliament except the
supported complaints of some solitary members-lLst
eno gh to show, hv the Indifference with which it
racei, ed, that the British House Of Commons had
condemnation 10 pronounce upon the conduct of Gen.
ora Jackson. Their silence justified him 10 England
whio committees and orators condemned him hernand
rhi5 Justification from abrOnd in where two Eng
h;hnleu were actually hanged should be warning to
gentlemen how they should commit themselves in
case where Englishman is merely IN iha hands of
justce.and has nothing 10 fear from "GOD AND THE
COINTRY' If is as innocent as he alleges, and ls
humanity would wish him 10 be-
Gen. Jackson right and the committees and ora>
tors who condemned him were wrong lie was right
in the law md in the application ofhe law. lie had
no mlsty volumeso of national law TO refer to in the
swamps of Forda;s and he needed none. lie had tho
law ofnaure, and Of nations, in his heart. lie had an
American heart, and that heart never led hun wrong,
when Tie rights the interest," and the honor of the
Try wore at stake. IehuDg tho EnelislImen who
exciting savages 10 the murder Of our women and chill
diem aud the policy Of tho measure is no less apparent
than its Legality. Before that time, Englislmen were
pernaIy in the ranks of the Indians stimulating them
TO hosll'ilos upon US; since that umo no Enslshman
has been heard Of among them. The example was
Wholesome its effect salulary. II has given US twenty
Eve yeas of exemption from English interference in
Indian hOstiiles and if the assassins of the Caroline
shalbe hung up in like munnr, it will give us exemp
ton from future British outrage ulong tho extended line
which divides the Union from the CanadJs.
1t is mournnl, Mt. President, continued Mr.. B. to
seo gentlemen Of eminentabities consulting books 10
find passages 10 justify outrage upon their coun
Try. Better far to throw away books, and go by the
heart. Then at least they would always have The con
ISOLATION Of being on thefcounrys side. Better even
to take the rule ofthe iIssriousE Commodore whose
uons have shed SO much lusiro upon the American
name, Dscainr,) and 60 for their country right or
wrong Then they would always have at least their
hearts on lher sIe Besides, there is book which
MS our case which was written for the duplicate Co
Vernmeh's winch we possess, We have State Gov
ernmenis as well aS Genera Goyernlnent and these
STATE authorizes havs their rights and are sovereign
wIIhn lem me protection Of the lives, liberty and
property o their citizens, among these rights; the
punishment Ofmnrder, arson. and burglary are among
rghtS nf iho Safaa thara ,yaa r.,