The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-06-13
GEMS OF Mr.. WINTHROP s SPEECH.

The great length and the crowded state of our
columns, prevent our giving this excellent speecl,
in full. We regret this the more, because we re
gard il o. one Of the very best speeches that has
been delivered this session Of Congress. Al
though we cannot publish the whole speech, we
shall, as we find room, give some of its most brill
liant passages. The following is on conscience
and the Constitution. Y. ErpTess.
For myself, acknowledge my allegiance to the
whole Constitution or the United States, and lam
willing TO unite in fulfilling and enforcing, in all
Reasonable and proper modes, avery one OF . pro.
visions. recognize, indeed, power above all
earthly constitutions! And whenever Iperceive
clear conflict Of jurisdiction and authority be-
tween the Constitution OF my country and the
laws of nv God, my course is clear. shall re-
sign my office, whatever it may be, and renounce
all connection with public service Of any sort.-
Never, never sir, will put myself under the nee
essity Of calling God TO witness my promise TO
support constitution, any part OF which con-
slider to be inc onsistent with his commands.
Do you remember, Mr. Chairman, that old
classical dialogue between Pyrrhus, the King. oi
Epirus, and his eloquent councillor, ,Cineas!-
Pyrihus, we are told, in disclosing his plans OF
government, had stated his purpose OF s,ibjecting
Italy 10 his sway; when Cineas asked Sand hsv-
ing overcome the Romans, what will your majesty
do next!s "Why, Sicily" said the King, "is
that'' aAnd having got possession Of Siciiy,''
said the councillor "What next will be yonrr royal
pleasure!" 81 have a mind, them said Pyrrhus,
ITO pass over into Africa" 3.And what after
that!'' said Cineas. "Why, then. at last, We will
give ourselves upto qnier, and enjoy delightful
peace.,' "Bnt WHAT rejoined the wise and sa-
gacions councillor, .swhaf prevents you from en-
joying that qniet and that delightful peace now!''
can conceive such dialogue passing between
IL apfe nd me
confidential friend or Cabinet adviser. "Ihave a
mind TO annex Texas" "And what will YOU do
next?', "Why, Mexico is next door to Texas,
and it will be eas, to subject her to our arIns.'-
Sand having conquered Mexico, and taken pos
session of such of her provinces as you desire,
what next does yonr excellency propose?" 81
think we shailthen be ready for passing over into
Cuba "And what after hiatt" "Why, then,
we will devote ourselves to pe,c and enjoy a
been asked-shonld you not enj,y that peace and
qniet now' Why will you persist in disturbing
the quiet and periling the peace, and putting in
jeopardy the glorious Union You now enjoy, by
rushing into so wild, so wanton, and had almost
said so wicked polcy.'
Sir is not 10 be denied that il is this spirit o.
annexation and conquest, growing by what j
feeds on, which has involved US in ell our present
troubles, and which threatens us with still.greaf.
er troubles in future. We are reaping the natural
and lust results OF the annexation of Texas, and
OF the war which inevitably followed that an
nexation. We have almost realized, Gas believe
have somewhere else said. the fate OF the gree
DIV and ravenous bird in the old fable. EsoI
tells US Of an eagle which, in one OF its towering
flights, seeing BIT attempting flesh upon an altar
pounced upon il and bore il away in triumph Z
its nest But. BY chance, he adds, coal oi fir
from the altar was sticking TO it at the time
which set fire TO the nest and consumed It IN l
trice. And onr American eagle, sir, has beer
seen STOPPING from its pride place, and hover
ing over the alters Of weak neighboring power
Il has at last ponnced upon her provinces. and
borne them away from her in triumph. But bnrn'
ing Goals have chung TO them! Discord and con-
fusion have come with them! And our owt
American homestead is now threatened with con-
fagration