Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-01-20

SPEECH OF HON. JOHN p. HALE

u. ). SENATE, JAN. q, 1913.
The bill to raise for limited time, an addi-
tonal military force, was read a third time
The question being on the passage of the bill,
Mr. HALE of New Hampshire, said Feeling
compelled from my convictions of duty, to take
course in reference to this bill, in which | am
aware very few Senators will entirely coincide,
have thought, humble as is the sphere in which
move, that it was due to those who placed me in
the position | occupy, to let my vote upon the
bill 20 out accompanied with the reasons which
have induced me to take the course which | am
about to take. would have been glad if older
and ADLER Senators had favored the Senate with
their views in opposition to this BILL | would
have been glad if the action of the Senate on this
bill had been delayed until the documents com
ing from the several Departments, and which we
are well nigh getting, had been placed before us,
so that we might have had all the light that could
be thrown upon that which in my mind, is a
dark subject at the lightest; but seeing that the
bill is likely to 20 through the forms of legisla-
ton, and become law without having those
lights before us, have thought it necessary to
trespass briefly upon the time of the Senate, in
order to express the views which entertain. 1t
may be said that do not stand much in need of
light, because | have already declared that |
stand here prepared to vote against the war in
all It's forms; against any measures for the supply
of troops, either regulars or volunteers, land if
there be any other kinds, go against them,) be-
cause stand prepared to vote against the appro-
prlatlon of single dollar beyond the simple
amount-rs have before suggested will
be sufficient to bring home your troops by the
shortest and cheapest route. Entertaining these
views, before entering upon the discussion o.
the bill, want to say a word in regard to
sentiment which | have heard avowed here, anC
elsewhere, and it is--that when the country i;
engaged in war, we lose all discretion, we have
nothing to do but grant the supplies that are de
manded ofus an appeal being made to our pat
rlotism, patriotism can only find rightful actor
in support of the war that there is no patriot
1 ism any where else, and that the administration
which has been so fortunate or unfortunate as t.
= plunge the country into "A war, has only to appea
to the, country and expect to receive no other re
SPONGE except hearty and unanimous support
J And this doctrine has been carried so far and in
t such high places that the President of the Uni
} ted States has denounced as treason, the OPPOSE
ton of Congress, although his mode of prosecu
ting the war did not accord with thier convic.
tlOnS | recnllect but one incident i'll my reading
of history which is analogous. 1t is stated by an
English historian that when Queen Elizabeth
had summoned her Parliament, and they were a
bout to organize for business, she sent her mes
senger to them this royal mandate; she told them
to be very careful that they did not NEEDLE with
affairs of State, "because" said she, ''such things
are altogether beyond the compass of your mar
row understanding" Well, our royal President
did not follow exactly in the footsteps of Elizabeth
He did no question the understanding of Con
gress, but their patriotism. Now, let US see
where this doctrine will carry US. Let US see to
what it will lead. Suppose you should have an
exceedingly bad and corrupt administration
, mind do not say that this is such an admins.
traton, or that we are ever likely to have such
f an one But suppose that such thing were pos.
sibe, and that the measures of the President had
become exceedingly odous, oppressive, burden
some, and intolerable, and that noes OF elsappro-
baton, were beginning to be heard from the peo-
pie assembled in ther primary meetings; that the
tones Of indignatiin at last penetrat the walls Of
the palace, and the President, finding that he
could not stand against the united will of an in
iured people, what has he to dol Ought he to
desist in his course of wrongdoing, or to retrace
his steps? No, sir; this is not the path to pop.
ularity; according to his new school of ethics and
morals, he has only to 60 on and plunge the