The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-12-28
Mr.. Dclden's Speech.

have no doubt you aim at accuracy In your state
ments yet II with regret notice the following in the
Herald OF Saturday, under the head Of Reports and
Reporters 20 for 1t fail TO shake the faith Of your
readers as to the truth Of your historical facts
A" While talking Of Mr.. SeldeD, may a well state
that the attempt made in the Courier Eagur,r, the
other day by some correspondent OF that paper to i'm
puts inaccuracy to Mr. seldens historical references
about the Earl Of Chatham, 10 entirely grstuitous BY
referring to the history of that period find that Mr.
s.ldsn wa, perfectly correct in his historical illusions
The remarks in the "Courier'' were made with the
view OF correcting rors without the least desire to
.s az IN MI sedsns speech you Will Therefore trust
subject of some Importance to the literary character of
our community, and allow to reiterate my remarks
In your journal, and add my proofs.
Mr. Selden says
"Of Albert Gaatin, It has been said he IL Of past
age. Yes my countrymen, he Is of past age-of the
age of those satesmsn who laid the foundation Of our
government and established the principles of Amercan
Rnoe5ty Yes he was Of those statesmen Of whom the
Earl OF Chatham said that he had read Thucy
mad studied the master spirits Of the world-but In
strength Of reasoning in force Of the and In the wis
aom OF their conclusions no BODY Of men could be
placed in front Of the Congress OF Philadelphia These
were the statesmen of past ages among whom Albert
daiatin Glands enrolled.
The elder Pitt, Earl Of Chatham, suffering from de.
pressing sickness, was carried from his house to the
Rouse OF Lords, to speak on the American war, and
when he exclaimed that II he American, as he
on his country he would lay down his arms 30
heip Nun God-never, never, never (Repested cheers
anu WIZ throughout the British Empire dared to
Pfoaon nun with being traitor to the British Crown?
ne saa IT, not 10 the hour Of victory, when withdraw
the troops would have been an act OF but
cheers He said 1t because he believed It, and It con-
ferred upon him honor than the most
and few months after he was followed by the King
.I s.Sns sa opposed and BY the Parliament which he
IL was on motion to recall the troops from Ameri.
oa on the goth OF January ITO that the elder Pitt
eologsed the American Congress Of l774 and it
hail ftarad tta,
words, were an American" SO.
1t Is well known that Lord Chatham changed hi,
practice II not his opinon, in regard to the Amer
France.
On motion in favor Of peace and an acknowledge
ment = American independence in the House of Lords
Earl Chatham stated that rose to express the
nation he felt at an idea which he understood going
forth to yield up the sovereignty of America" and
exhausng every argument against the concession he
closed, as stated In the Courier with these words f
we mutt fall, lot fall like men," 60 The conse-
quence was postponsment blessings Of peace for
time This was the list effort Of that great orator mot
that which Mr. selden stately and his exertons on
TINS occasion so greatly accelerated the progress Of his
disease that he survived 1t but a month.
Inc change OF feeling In New York great that
while he was the abest advocate Of the American
in wan street at the juocture Of William street,, was
puieu down by the inhabitants when he deserted our
ana may be seen in mutilated state in front
Rileys Fifth Ward Hotel
think MIR. selden has over estimated the principles
OF tnat great orator In 1867 while in the hey dey
his career the unknown but immortal Junius said Of
MIN cannot bear to see so much incense offered to
an idol who SO little deserves itn And the celebrated
wilkes in letter to the Duke of Grafton dated 2sth
May OF that year, says" Lord Chatham has received
obligations OF the first magnitude from Lord Temple
one OF the greatest characters country could
boast Yet what trace of gratitude friendship was
ever found In any part Of his conduct,'
John Quincy Adams, in his eulogy James Monroe,
says Chatham himself the most eloquent orator OF
England whose language 1t is the boast Of honest pride
10 speak-Chatham, peer Of the British realm in the
sanctuary Of her lgsaton declared his appreciation
the american cause hi: disclaimer Of all right in Par
lament to tax the colonies and his that the people
OF the colonies had resisted the pretenson Yet that
same Chatham, not only after the declaration, but after
the conclusion Of solemn treaties Of alliance
United States and France sacrificed tho of
days and wasted his expiring breath in feeble and fruit
less protesatons against the rrevooabs sentence to
which hts country was doomed-ths acknowledgment Of
American Independence"
AS MIR Gallatin did not leave his native land until
$780, he could not have been of the Congress of l774
AT tue closing period Of the var he was an instructor
OF tho French language ut Harvard College, in Massa
ohusettc; therefore he had hand In establishing
American liberty" 1t was not until after
sunon was In operation We believe that he gured IN
our national councils. He decided snti federal
list, opponent of the constitution and
In no small degree, the efforts OF Washington and hi
in establishing that great and glorious
the government under which live and prosper. w.