The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-06-27
EXTRACTS FROM THE SPEECH OF

=, EXTRACTS FROM THE SPEECH OF
HON. S. A. DOUGLASS,
OF Illinois, on the Mexican War, de-
livered in the House of Representa-
.ives, May l3, 1916.
Mr.. Douglass rose to reply to the
speech of the gentleman from Ohio,
(Mr. Delano) who had just taken his
seat. Several members proposed that
the committee rise, with view to ad-
iournment, that he might speak in the
morning, if he preferred that course
He declined to avail himself of their
courtesy, as his remarks would be de-
sultory and without preparation, and
directed edprincipally to the points which
had ALREADY been touched in the dis
cussion. My object, sand he, is to vim
dicate our government and country
from the aspersions and calumnles
which have been cast upon them by
several gentlemen. in the course OF this
debate, in connexion with the causes
which have led to the existing war
with Mexico. lprefer TO meet and re-
pei those charges at once, while they
are fresh in our minds, and to demon
strate, so far as my feeble abilities will
enable me to do so, that our govern.
ment has not been in the wrong, and
Mexico in the right, in the origin and
progress of the pending controversy.
The gentleman from Ohio has been so
kind as to herald my expected advent
before my arrival, and to announce
that was about to follow him in the
debate. I suppose he drew such an
inference from the fact that | entered
the hall while he was speaking, took a
seat near him, and listened to his speech
with the most respectful attention.
He certainly had no other authority for
the announcement. Acting on this
supposition, he has addressed large
portion of his remarks to me, and invi-
ted special answer from me to the
main points of his argument. pro-
pose to crafty him in this respect; and
while shall speak with freedom and
boldness Of his positions and arguments,
Ishall endeavor to observe that cour-
tesy towards him, Individually, which
is consistent with an appropriate reply
to such an extraordinary speech. |
commend the patriotism, if not the
morality, of the sentiment which he
quoted at the beginning, and repeated
several times during the course OF his
remarks: 81 60 for my country, right
or wrong" / fear, how ever. that this
sentiment, once SO much applauded by
our countrymen, is about to be brought
jnro ridicule and contempt, by the use
which that gentleman and his coadju-
tors are now disposed to make of it.
They tell US that they 60 for their
country, right or wrong; but they in
sist that their country is, and has been.
all the time in the wrong. They pro-
fess to support the war: but they vote
against the law which recognises its
existence, and provides the MEANS
the money and the men-to expel a
hostile army that has invaded our coun-
try and butchered our citizens. They
profess great anxiety for the triumph
Of our arms; but they denounce the
war-the cause in which our country
is engaged-as "unhoiy, unrighteous,
and damndble."
Mr.. J.. w. HousroN-Who made
use of that expression? Was il any
gentleman on this side Of the House?
Mr.. DOUGLASS Yes, sir! The gen
tIeman from Ohio, (Mr. Delano0 who
has Just taken his seat, made use Of the
identical words, and repeated them sew
eral times, with great emphasis, in the
course Of his speech, while the great
body Of his political friends listened
with the most profound respect, and
gave every Indication of appreciation
and encouragement, BY expressions.
looks, and mods Of assent. Even now
/ see the venerable gentleman from
Massachusetts nodding his approval Of
the sentiment. gas eti g .aAe
Mr.. J. @. ADAMs.-Yes, sir. ap.
prove and endorse every word and
SYLLABLE OF il. IS Bowls ag sBG sifsl r
Mr.. DouaLAss.---So | supposed, from
the marked indications Of appreciation
which that gentleman and bis friends
nayc to all the attacks which have been
made, during the discussion, upon the
rights, interests, and honor oflour coun'
try. Heis more bold and, less polite
inthe expression ofhis opinions. They
after a little reflection, discover, the
expediency Of concealment; but the