Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-01-28
SPEECH OF HON. JOHN p. HALE,
(oF NEW HAMrsHIRE,)

(oF NEW HAMpsHIRE,)
In the Senate, ThurSday, Jaanary 6, on The Ten
Regiment BW
From Houstons Report OF Proceedings and Debates
The bill to raise for limited time, an addi-
tional military force, was read a third time.
The question being on the passage of the BILL
Mr. HALE-Feeling compelled from my con-
Victions of duty to take a 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 il older and ADLER Senators had
favored the Senate with their views in opposition
to this bill Iwould have been glad if the action
OF the Senate upon the bill had been delayed un-
ill the documents coming from the several de-
partments, 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 dark subject at the light
est but seeing that the bill is likely to 60 thro
the forms of legislation, and become law with
out 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 its forms; against any
measures for the supply of troops, either regu-
lars or volunteers, (and if there are any other
kinds 90 against them,) because ] stand pre-
pared to vote against the appropriation of sim
gle dollar beyond the simple amount-as have
before suggested-which will DO oufheiant tn
bring home yourtroops by the shortest and cheap
est route. Entertaining these views, before en-
tlo di-c pI the hill | want IN
saw a word in regard to a sentiment which
have heard avowed here, and elsewhere, and it
is-that when the country is engaged in war
we lose all discretion, we have nothing to do
but grant the supplies that are demanded OF us
an appeal being made to our patriotism-pat-
riotism can only find rightiul action in support
of the war-that there is no patriotism anywhere
else, and that the administration, which has been
so fortunate or unfortunate as to plunge the
country into war, has only to appeal to the
country, and expect to receive no other response
except hearty and unanimous support. Aud this
doctrine has been carried so far, and in such high
places, that the President of the United States
has denounced as treason, the opposition of
Congress, although his mode of prosecuting the
war did not accord with their convictions. re-
collect but one incident in my reading of history
which is analogous. 1t is stated by an English
historian, that when Queen Elizabeth had sum
moned her Parliament, and they were about to
orpanize for business, she sent her messenger to
them with 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 narrow understanding" Well, our royal
President did not follow exactly in the footsteps
of Elizabeth. lie did not question the under
standing of Congress, 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 adj
minisuation mind do not say that this is such