Weekly national intelligencer., 1847-01-23
SPEECH OF Mr.. WINTHROP,
.AssACHUsETTs,
OF MAssACHUsETTs,
On The bill to raise for linitedtne an additional
Military Force.
FRIDAY, JANUARY s, lS47.


FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, lS47.
Mr. TooaBs of Georgia, having address thepo committee
Gas heretofore published)-
Mr. WINTHROP said that if he could have selected his
time for addressing the Committee he would not have
followed closely in the wake Of his honorable and excellent
friend from Georgia, (. TooaBs) who had just taken his
seat But after watching and struggling for the floor for
three four days. he could not orego the opportunity OF say
ing what he had to to avoid the disadvantage
of placing his remarks immediate contrast with speech
which had attracted large of attention and adj
miraion. .#.
not prepared (Mr w. proceeded to ssy) to vote for
the bill now under consideration certainly cannot vote for
it in its present shape doubt whether be brought to
vote for il in any shape under the present circumstances Of
the country. But, before dealing with its particular prov
sions, with the principles and policy which Involves
desire submit few considerations OF general and
comprehensive character .@ "
not of those Mr.. Chairnan--, indeed, there
be any such in this Housewho think incumbent them
to against all supplies time Of war, because they
do not approve the which the
ed, or the spirit in which il is conducted. Regarding
evil which language exaggeraie depreca,ng
thing earnestly than necessity of rendering myself in
any degree responsible for its existence continuance de-
nothing sincerely opportunity OF contributing
III any way the peace OF my country and OF the world,
yet acknowledge that there many cases in which should
feel constrained and money for prosecuting host
tes, though they had originated in measures which
utterly condemned may say in word and without FUR
ther specification that ready to vote for the defence of
my country, and always and when foreign army is
borders foreign squadron in our bays, shall
be for stopping inquire into the merits of the quarrel
ascertain who struck who provoked the first blow be-
fore doing whatever may be in power to drive back the in
vaders, and to vdcate the nvioably OF SOIL Nor do
forget that be sometimes necessary for defence to
carry the the enemys country, and cripple the
and crush the power of those who may insist dis
urbng peace. When such necessity exists, and Is
clearly manifested, shall shrink from meeting its
sponsibilties. '.r. ."....
And horo rb.iru lat tha bopo ahlo
bcr from Ohio (Mr GDDINGs) that cannot acknowledge
the entire applicability 10 the present issue OF those British
prccedens which he held up for imitation few days ago
not ready admit that there is any very close analogy
between the struggle of the American colonies in l7T6 and
that of the Mexcans Still less analogy is there be-
tween of the British House of Commons and vote of
the American House Of Representatives refusal of sup
plies in the Parliament of Great Britain is generally speaking
equivalent TO change of Administration. No British Min
sy hold their places defiance OF such VOTE sue
cesul opposition to supplies in time of war is thus almost
certain to result in bringing forthwith into power Ministry
opposed further prosecution and the Kingdom Is not
left to encounter the dangers which might result from
c upon such subject between the executive and the e-
gislatiye powers 1t not so here No vote OF Congress can
change Administration If could, the present Admin
ation would have expired Saturday last, when tax,
which they had soemny declared essential to furnish
them with the snews of war, emphatcaly denied
could the present Administration would have out on
Tuesday last when their demand for Lieutenant General
was unceremoniously laid the table. No British Min
y nhese days. could have survived for an hour two such
signal defeats
But our Executive is elected for of years. and his
Cabinet quite independent of votes. refusal OF all
supplies might hamper and embarass Executive and give
the advantage of divided counse but could hardly
enforce change of policy secure concerted action IN
Certainly does not seem to be the mode contempa
ed by constitution for putting end to war; when 1t has
been commenced The people alone apply the potent
styptc, the magical Brocchie for stopping the eiuson
blood if be the Executive will that shall continue to flow
1t their prerogave change the Administration and thu
a hfprthp rotft
when they will have the opportunity OF exercising It,
While therefore, sir, yield to in admiration OF th
Iuous of Old England whose names have beer
| introduced into this debate-Burke, Barre, Fox an'
Chaham-and honor them especially for their noble efforts
behalf of American rights do not my way clear to ma
king their conduct the British Parliament IN l776 the ex
model of my conduct here and now. turn rathe
the example and authority Of American statesmen, hard,
less distinguished and less worthy OF admiration and m
tation If there of pure life of stern ineg
ry, of exalted patriotism, in country, was JoHN jar
member of the first Congress of the United States, and the
author Of those mastery papers, emanang from ha,
body which called forth the welremembered commendaion
of Lord Chatham hmsc the first Chief Justice OF the Uni
ted States, and of whom it has been beautifully said that
when the poess ermne of the judicial robe fell John
Jay touched nothing spotless itself He was no
friend to in general to the last war IN which this
country involved in particular. But in writing to kin
dred spirit during the existence of that he expressed
ments which heartily that cannot orbear read
ing them to the committee
John Jav to Iymothy Pickering.
" BEpFoRp, NOVEMBER l, 1914.
I is clear that Britain did then expect desire
TO conclude the war quite As her present flu
ture disposition to peace, how far has been, may
be affected by settled by still fuctuatng state oi
things in Europe by calculations OF our becoming more
united divided, be known II we should
change rulers and fill their places with free from
blame the OF peace might doubtless be more eas
accomplished Such change will but not while The
prevailing popular deuson continues deceive and msead so
great portion of our citizens.
"Ihings being they are think cannot be too per-
ectly united in defend country, nor be
vgant in watching and resoluey examining the conduct
of the administration all its departments canddy and open
y giving decided appreciation decided censure, according
AS II may deserve the the other"
Mr.. GIDDlNGS. VIII my friend from Massachusetts per-
init me to offer one word Of explanation
The SPEAKER Does the gentleman from Massachusetts
yield the floor
| Mr.. WINTHROP Certainly, sir.
Mr.. GIDDINGS. The gentleman from Massachusetts will
distinctly understand that many words, expressed the
opinion that if the army should be withdrawn within the le-
gmate limits OF United Sates there would be but
voice in the country in favor OF to repe invasion
Mr.. WINTHROP. | checrully accord TO the gentleman
from Ohio the benefit of the explanation, and had not the
slightest intention of casting any reflection upon his conduct
Sir, concur entirely in both the propositions contained IN
the paragraph which have just read from the correspondence
of Mr. Jay. think "wc cannot be to- perfectly united IN
determination defend country, wherever that defence
may be involved directly indirectly, in this war and IN all
other wars, and think that "w cannot be too Niglant
watching the conduct O the