The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-05-03
Volume /. Number 30.
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| REMARKS OF Mr.. ARCHBOLD.
In the House of Representatives, Dec. Is, 1913,
on the resolution OF Mr.. Fn.soN of Columbiana'
in relation to refunding the fine imposed on Gen
Jackson for his defence.of New Orleans
Mr.. ARcHBoLD said, he hoped the motion for
indefinite postponement would not prevail. He
had hoped that the resolution would have been suf-
fered to pass speedily, SO that the House might give
early and prompt attention to those important duties
peculiarlydevolvng upon them as the Representa-
tives of their own beloved State. Duties OF the
utmost importance devolved upon them pertaining
to the welfare of this mighty young Hercules Of the
West, and he hoped the House would speedily pass
this resolution, and then go heartily and diligently
to the performance of those duties. He was sick
to loahng of the agitation of this subject, and
hoped it would be speedily put to rest. The ene-
mics of republican institutions in Europe were
looking upon our conduct with invidious eyes, and
ready to turn every circumstance to the disadvan-
tage of our national character. The maxim, that
republics were ungrateful, whether true or false,
had found place on the page OF history. The re-
viers and slanderers OF America and Americans
were fond OF representing US as immersed IN the
pursuit ofsordid gain, dead to generous impulses
and incapable Of appreciating extraordinary merit.
They represent US as hating merit s. sighting wit
They say that company of Americans cannot con-
verse together fifteen minutes without the word
dollars being nterarded into their DISCOURSE
what shall this mighty continent be longer agita-
ted by the question whether we shall return this pet
ty amount to the war-worn veteran, now in the
twilight of his existence? He confessed himself
incapable of consulting his intellect, OF going into
cold calculations, or making formal deductions in
such case as this. With him, it was matter OF
feeling, of impulses-he merely consulted the in
stinct of his own bosom, which deprived him OF all
power of voting against the resolution.
He called upon members to consult the generous
impulse of their breasts in giving their votes
no fear that they would be directed wrong. In
such case the heart was better adviser than the
head and there was no danger in listening to its
dictates 1t might be forever too late to tes-
tify our gratitude to the l,uing hero, who had so
freely cared his bosom to the glorious strife-who
had so manfully disregarded danger and death, and
whose achievements were unequaled on the pages
of recorded time. His sun of life was lowering
near the verge of the horizon, and we must hasten
or our tardy gratitude would come too late. Shall
we hesitate to smooth his passage to the tomb,
whose actions had bound the temples of our coun.
try with wreath of imperishable glory. He de-
MED that the passage of this resolution instruct
ing Congress; it was simply communicating to that
body the spontaneous out burst of nations graft
tude. 1t was simply discovering to the represen-
tatives of the nation the generous flame that glowd
in the breasts of members here, in order that the
behests of a nations gratitude might be fulfilled
He had said, Mr. Speaker, that this was question
to be decided, not by the head, but by the heart
But if we can find leisure to consult the cool deduc-
tions of the intellect do they not sanction the die
tates ofthe alfections' Are lot appreciation and
gratitude the appropriate reward of superlative
merritt Are they not the only rewards which are
valued or regarded by the highest order OF minds
"Ambtion' said he, pointing upwards, "irst fell
from those bright abodes-the glorious fault OF an
gels and of Gods" What right have we to ex-
pect to constellation of sages, of heroes, and
of patriots, starting up to Defend adorD and bless
our country, if We deny the victor's garland and
the civic wreath to transcendant mert' Or when
shall merit more extraordinary than in the present
instance, call for the exercise of our kindly afec-
tions'
He did not intend to cast any reflections Oh
Judge Hall. He was one of the last men on the
continent who would be willing to cast any unjust
aspersions on the Judiciary. He was too well
aware ofthe worth of that branch of our govern
p,ant IA nigbt avan ha admittad that both the
General and the Judge had done technically right
If pressed the subject, his answer would be, that
we were overwhelmed by our gratitude, and that
gratitude was undiscerning. Guided by the mpu-
ses of his bosom, he did not doubt that this princ
pie had more of real value in it, than could be de-
rived from the rigid maxims of the cold politician
He ardently hoped the resolution would pass.