The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1847-01-22
SPEECH OF COL. A. II. BULLOCK,
In the Ma sachuSefts LEI stature,
January 10 ISA7

Mr. BuLLocH said it had been bis desire 10
avoid any participation in the discussion, but cir
cumstaDces rendered it, in his Judgment, improp-
that he should remain silent. Having been
placed by the Chair upon the Select Committee
appointed TO consider tins subject, al the major
ity of the Committee having spread their views
before the House and the public he deemed it
an act OF impenous justice 10 the minority OF the
Committee, representing quite probably major
ny OF the House, that some OF the reasons OF their
dissent should be presented. He would speak
only for himself, however, and leave his coea-
CUES of the minority in Committee, to state their
own opinions.
ltelt boui d, said Mr. b., under the constitution
oil the Committee, to enter upon the consideration
OF the matter with predispo>tion of mind favor
able to the issue presented by the friends OF the
Resolve. | advert TO this here, because thought
the gentleman from Newhuryport; (Mr Cusingl
when he took offence at the selection OF the Com
mittee as at first appointed by tile Char, UNDER
took TO io estall for the House their estimate of
The Opinions OF some gentlemen on the Committee,
aud among others, my own. ] will not deny The
right, but question the proprie,y of the gentle
man taking for granted, on ANY occasion, the
opinions OF individual members OF any Committee
OF the House, before they themselves indicate or
declare them.
And embrace this opportunity 10 say word
IN relation to the officers OF the Regiment who
appeared before the Commit e. The entire
Committee must have seen in them qualities re-
spectacle and commanding. | accord to them in
telligence and gallantry. and whatever tone OF
dlSparagement concerning them may have pre-
varied IN any portion OF the public press the Com
mtee Will all do them the Justice 10 say that
these young men stood before them in the att
tude OF gallant otfcers,-our fellow. citizens
young men OF Massachusetts, knowing what
they are about,-embsrhing under The colors of
the Cannon
STUDIES OF war. Some OF them bear names which
oil themselves, suggest nothing but high respect
and lofty honor. When see such of 0 lr ciIz ms
volunteering 10 uphold the stars and stripes OF our
common country, in foreign land, where sick.
ness and death stare them in the face, nv own
opinions OF the character OF this war shall not de-
ter me from awarding 10 them that respect which
generous qualities always command | wish Tor
them laurels that may not fade; and whether thew
snail come bach 10 us with the honorS OF war, or
lay their bones on the table lands of Mexico they
are not TO be reproached or forgotten in their ma.
tive State. For one, sir, am not here TO INDULGE
in any ungenerous feelings or any ungenelous
remarks towards Whatever OF chivalry our Com
monweaith may send forth, even to a war OF in.
vasion; and il, by any honest construction Of the
laws, we are sworn 10 sustain, could do any
thing TO strengthen this military arm, my heart
ana my vote should be at their service | re-
JoIce that they have elected 10 their command the
original author OF the Resolve now before the
House Under his lead | am sure they will not
lack opportunities to win their full share OF mill
tary renown; and whatever measure of reputa-
ton il has been the lot OF that gentleman 10
achieve in civil political service, am conf
dent it will receive no detrment IN that other and
diff rent service, to which he is, perhaps this
very hour, committing his life and hi, fortune |
would, on such an occasion, rise above all emo.
tons Of party, and wish well TO him and TO those
under his command, whatever part they may be
destined to act 10 the international drama OF the
war But must pass TO the definite question
before the House.
Mr. Speaker,it the troops now quartered IN The
CITY Of ton, are any part OF the militia OF Mas
sarhusetts, called into service in the manner pro-
vided for by the Constitution Of the Unted States
] am ready TO administer to them from the Urea.
sury OF the State, all the " aid and coaort' they
may require But il they are strictly and truly
and in every sense g volunteers who have en-
gagged in the service by special contract with
the General Government, then very different
question j presented TO the House. and one which
may be more easily disposed of. | had supposed
the point to be very clearly and sa siacorily set
lied; but the Report upon the table has thrown
much sophistry Oh it, aud the argument OF the
gentleman, yesterday, has somewhat ohscured it,
and therefore we must, Ia the first instance come
to definite understanding concerning it, The
whole argument upon this question is gained
when the proper distinction between BODY OF
volunteers, and the character Of each, is properly
stated and unders ood
what, then, is the distinctive character Of the
troops, for whose aid the resolve before the House
is intended? Are they, 10 all intents and pur-
poses, the volunteer troops of the United States.
and nothing else? Or, are they al the moment
when you propose 10 clohe and outfit them, an
integral portion OF the State Militia OF Massa-
chusetts? Or il they be, exclusively, neither
the one nor the other, have they some OF the
characteristics OF both, so az 10 stand be fore ns
oday as, in one sense, United States volunteers,
and, IN another sense, part of the stated militia
OF this Commonwealth apprehend that some
hight may be thrown upon the question be recnr-
ring 10 the fundamental laws OF the United States,
and of Massachusetts, which indicate what con-
stutes the militia, and what constitutes youn-
teers.
The 9Th section Of the Ist article of the Con,t /.
tulion OF the United States declares that Con-
gtess shall have power TO "decla:e war I" "to
raise and support armies to provide for calling
forth the Militia, to execute TIE iG,DS Ofthe I'M
ion, suppress iasnrTectiOnS, end repei inuGSlons;
TO provide for organizing arming and disciplinng
the Militia and ooVprDino sucb nj If IA