The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-08-08
Delivered in the Senate. July Is, s62.

Delivered IN the Senate, July Is, S62.
/ will take this occasion to make a remark
in regard to subject that We had under
consideration this morning, in the bill of my
friend the Senator from Iowa, Mr.. Grimes
on the subject of authorizing the Govern
ment to is ue letters OF marque and reprsal
, must say | was astonshed at the course
of the remarks OF the Senator from Illinois.
(Mr. Trumbuli. and the Senator from New
Hampshire, Mr.. Hale,) that if we passed
that measure, it would be an admission that
We were weak; it would be vacilliation. 1
have but one answer to make, aud l alluded
to it some weeks ago when l. asked the
SENATE this question, and now ask IL sgaiu:
Is thereany Govern ment on earth that has
the right to call in question what means we
adopt TO crush out this rebellion? Is it not
part of the policy of the Government Of
, this country, when rebellion breaks out
to take our own means of crushing it?-
Senators are not aware of the in
jury the Nashville, the Sumter and those
vessels did to our comm cree abroad. l re.
member twelve months ago, when leaving
the Old World, / saw lying upon the
wharyes at Southampton more than $780,
0oo worth ofproperty, the freight on which
would have amounted to five or ten thou
sand dollars, and which was not put on
board vessel then in that port. because
she was an American vessel. The rates of
insurance on American vessels was in
creased. No man can calculate the injury
that was done to our trade and commerce
by those vessels; aud yet it is said this is a
dangerous power to give the President--the
power to Issue letters Of marque and repri-
SAL
Is i. a dangerous thing to give the Presi-
dent, if necessary to save the life of this
nation, the power to arm privateers? What
right have you to call in question the con-
duct OF Great Britain. or any other Govern
nent, in suppressing a rebellion within her
limits? What right have they to call in
question our conduct in suppressing a re-
oellion here? | am willing to trust the Ex-
ecutive OF this country. l remarked to a !
gentleman three months ago that this Gov
srnment could have well afforded to pay
5000 900 for the capture of those two YES
sels-the Nashville and Sumter---twelve |
months ago. Irepeat. it is not danger
Gus power, and hope the Senator from To-
wa will again call up his bill, so that l at
leas. may have the pleasure of voting for it.
Ii is ust as essential in time Of war that the
Government Of your country should have
the power to issue letters of marque aud re-
orisal as it is to pass confscaiion BILL
Our commerce has been crippled; vessels
have been detached from the naval service
just on account Of those two three ves-
sells, which, if you had authorized letters
OF marque and reprisal, might have been
taken SIX or twelve months ago We have
the perfect right to do so on the principle
that no nation has right 70 look into the
course ofthe conduct Of another nation in
putting down rebellion.
Ii may seem that the view | have thus
taken of the power of this Government is a
little strong. l know that the propriety of
a man taking the course to which have al
luded in relation to the confiscation bill has |
been called in question. If gentlemen can point
me to any other remedy. if gentlemen can
show me any other system, l should be will
ling to adopt it. As remarked two months I
20, if we have not the power to pass a con- /
iscation bill, desire to know Why We have I
not had articles of war on this subjecil-
Let US a, least have a uniform policy in .
carrying ou, the views of the Government
Of the country. as expressed through its \
members Of Congress. Sir, the unity OF
This country is paramount to all other con-
,iderations We have got to execute the
power of our Government by Its bullets and
Dayone,s. There is no other power that
.an be looked to in this crisis. During the
course OF my life / have seen little of the
force and power of this Government.
have been abroad and seen the influence
and power of my country when it was uui-
ted The governments of the Old World
are watching earnestly all our movements.
They say We are strong except 10 ono as
pect, aud that is to put down a rebellion.
They have always doubted our power TO do
that. The government Of the Old World