Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-03-17
NUMBER 81.
RICHMOND DAILY WING.
SPEECH OF Mr.. ]. s. PENDI.ErON
OF VIRGINIA.
On the Army Appropriation Bill.
Howl % REr.tsEsIArlvr.. F,s.r.nr p. lsIr.

The Army Appropriation Bill being before the Commit.
tee OF the Whole II on he state Of the Uai.p-
Mr.. JOHN PENDLE1oN being eotrl.d to The aoot.
ne proceeded 70 observe be friend rom NJ.
saehases who hsd just preceded him. had very correctly
aesefioed the 9th uiy which every gentleman "a boupd
10 encounter hnding any occasion TO eve, az
words IN sesson this House. Such are the term. and
conditions OF debate hee, that say what We h.y,
20 say shen can.
lie saoad, therefore, feel himself under no obligation Il,
c'nhne his remarks to the qaesuou before tue con-
miuee but woula do, What every other in al.
mouse nae dore-ueat OF the general subject ms own
way.
tie would have been pleased to have found in the exam
pie OF either in this House any counenanes to The
opinions with which he entered on the duues OF the pre
sent session. regard the ,xpedency-or in more pe-
eey accurate phrase, IN regard the practical utility OF
discussing at ALL at this particular Tine the on
sin OF the war with Mexico.
He bad thought better 10 look first IN IN. ,c.oo
pshent OF peaceto the eountry BY any and
by all honorable means from the difficult and Distressing
circumstances into which AZ had been unnecessarily II
not cminaT plunged, and then make dgent and care
ni INQUIRY OF the motives and means by which great
calamity had been brought upon it,
Go (ssid Mr.. p to make eomplsint OF others.
who are acting on different opinions and especially hse
who belong to the same political party with myse E.
They have been Ofced into this Of discussion a.
wal show; and they had not been. still imagine
any case OF actual in which the Government of tho
Inted Sses could be placed position here its ehsrac
Ter seenHV might require suppression OF Tree debate in
h. House
There gh DC propreiy delibera ing with elo.,d
eoors when the question was whsIher would would
H..
ceve nothing more clear Than the right Of the Representa-
yves OF the people 10 inquire into the causes.
II IS case that cannot OF en- arise, for believe this is
the hIs war OF which head where the pare, who
made II cannot the causes tor which II was
made
just honorable. and fair war can stand ,nv scrutiny
"hen tue representatives of the people and may
feel their duty make snd the more free the examina-
on the more fully must the naonSl Character be viuden-
ted IN the eyes OF all tn world and more certainly will
the Government command the Confidence and support
citizens.
Our Government is founded on public sentiment II
CLAIMS to be the ireest IN the world all thngs-and in this
chiefly, that, relation oil public affairs il every mans
Prvse to think what he PIeases and speak whs, he
thinks.
~ OF this county in that department hands Of winch
the Issues OF peace aud have been specially conded
are 10 SIT dumb IN her seats lest offence gwen
perous Preslden who, having involved coany in war
would Prosecute without qlesoa hndranee or inqu ~
and according To his own particular ancy one. IL
was never known nat older AID better whose
good name has already suffered the bad hands
that have claimed their inheritance Iis doctrine
which command the homage OF heart that as not
made for the bosom OF slave.
My individual wish postpone III sort Of discus
sion 10 period more favorable cslm patient and If
possible, an uneIci'ed inquiry because profoundly
impressed with the conviction that II which
appeals soemnly TO all patriotic men which appeals 10
them by every sentiment OF fidelity happy and pros-
Porous experiment 10 guard against the SINH
lar events by visiting upon the guilty. they may
De- al the punishment which the law and the circumstances
will permit
Every Jther gentleman OF oil parties, however.
to eltier with me this subject rush ell ides IL
the House. and every OF question: k pt Up
or the hOor from the beginning session to the PIE
seat moment. Or the purpose OF making speeches about
The causes OF the 1t Whigs have bern cage! to
avail themselves OF the advantages which Executive blum
des may nave given to their party, the Democrats
other hand, have been less prompt make orgu
the progress and the objects OF the theme Ct per-
Peual eulogy and glorhcaLon Of their chic and MS o
lowers II the former nave found nothing spprove
latter have certainly detec ed moth ng condemn.
ABOUT one tnlng, and Only ~, all. haya
aseso and that Is. THAI every snail speak orth MS
opinions. Ano every man, therefore, pretends to
speak at all, placed vi necessity % deliver
MS views, " ehet they be OF any value or not
II refinement OF tyranny u which even progressive
Democracy oHsh 10 De ashamed, brins debates Of
TINS s1t-tO focs feeble mnprty hsse party discus
sUns; ano wheu OpnioEs fortunate enough
10 hnd favor IN their royal loyal to de-
noUnce giving "aid and comfort to the enemy" IL
Il an exuaytgsnce 0Oy unworthy the geus Of even hat
Pohlca heTeSy SUPPOSE that the people Of this
ny are 20 utterly ensa'ed by preuCees passions
as 10 be managed and controlled, bnn.ed and hum
plugged, by devices stupid this.
We al know that the President himself the first
70 commence this discussion That will particular
.y notice at future stage OF my remarks.
Gentlemen feel themselves al perfect liberty 10 Isud
without measure, the wisdom and energy and patriotism Of
the Chief Magistrate; to that all be has doue oris
DONG precisely the hes and thing could pos
5ioly be done. This all very patriotic and 10 the effect
OF the MODEST impulses Of representative fidelity and pub
lie Devotion Nor IS this all There those who ind
no dculy IN abusing censung all concerned the pro-
seeuton OF the wa= eIcepI the Chief The
President IL Is find fault with him.
Our gallant army and brave generals, who march
ed from victory 10 victory against a foe times their
numoer-a Toe fighting on his soi-bc hind his own
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES the SURFING suggestions Of his altars
and his home these men, bearing proudly end bavely
heir eountys flag in OF lnumphs uninterrupted
Tor moment by the power foe OF yet more for
midabe power OF his pestenus cms-whppiug more
than they could feed and couquerng than the Execu
i've has provided them the Of keepnS-lhey have
been sssailed on this floor.
Carpet kugats have undertaken TO cri,eise the cam
Pagns OF sbo ard experienced genera; ger er4 Who
hshung tor hrs pomouou from the lowest highest
rank IN the and through three IN which we have
been engaged, has never manssed battle where he hd
equal numoeIs and never fought which he not win
Al thi-, repeat, sv,ry patriotic. But when cone
TO express the opinion that the unnecessary and
might nave been avoided, t giving aie and comfort
the enemy"
am referring the Presiden - me sage bu, to the
sppueiuons maze Of his remarks AOOr Sime Of
ms irerds have hsd the dselaim Tor him Il pre-
sumo BY authority intention OF attacking the freedom
Of debate this House lie only meant "a lew" we are
tod Of the people Of this county, when be spoke Of those
wac are giving aid sno comfort the enemy believe 10
did only mean few
think, however, that more distinct and unequivoeal
expression OF what he did would have BE- better
Serpog with the dignity oi bis station, and with that man
ness anu sPn which his parasites and organs attribute
character.
The President Of the United States has the right and 10
hsduV 10 denounee treason, where exists and TO
see that prosecuted and punished 90 ar as IN his
power As hrst magistrate OF the county, and one there
tore, whose words have ingence possibly in vast dis
P'VPtI 70 'ueH intrinsic Importance, he should make
such denunc auons In terms distinct and explicit.
10 would DO soanda,us aud ul abuse Of the pr.
veges Of That high sau0n for any ineumbcn Of enact
the Psu % pay demagogus, without spit Of en- unit
ued demagcgue, By uteng and publ shng niefnte and
vague chages and insnunuons-" dnbiguas rpi-
gun pargsTs-which may may not be applied 10 ell ha
countfymen Who differ with hin in opinion.
desire 10 Be distinctly understood scouting the Pre-
sdent OF intending To announce proposition
as that oil who condemn the Mexican war practise treason
II believed that such bad been bis INTENTION would con-
cur with those who appy 10 him tho hsrshes epithes.
deny that President Of the United Sises has right 10
Islander hs constituents with perfect iupunty, make
malignant and unounded charges other members q
uo government a. e,ylcd a. responsible, aud n every
particular a. respectable as himself.
Ills cfce enuucs him 70 terms OF respect and courtesy
ltIsa he, however which he may himself oreir ifhs
chooses 70 forget that he Is Pfesidcn % pafuesafy
youf duty Or mine % romsm bor the circumstances. u 10
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