91
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1827
certainly, been elevated; but that gentleman is disposed to revile "Military Chieftains." I need not ask, then, if he were found in the ranks with those who were defenders of their country in the last war. What did that gentleman in the struggle? I have understood, Sir, that he was in opposition, and not on the side of his country. ·when I see a man who was opposed to the Admin- istration throughout the tremendous scenes of that war, I never can adopt his opinions for my text. It seems that gentleman is, by no means, opposed to the ex- tension of Executive patronage. I will not pretend to assign reasons for his opinions; I will not say that that gentleman was engineered into Congress at his last election; but I will say, be- cause such, I am told, is the fact, that a corps of Engineers was detailed into his district about the period of his election, and it is very natural for us to "praise the bridge over which we safely pass." Sir, the gentleman has said that I abused and reviled the Federalists. I deny the charge. I _have cherished animosity against no man. I have looked only to principle, and where I have found a man of talents, integrity, and patriotism, no matter by what name he may have been designated, that man was my brother. But, I will tell you, Sir, who they are of whom I have neither thought or spoken well; for in this matter there is surely a distinction. The honorable gentleman from Maryland, (Mr. Dorsey), alluded with pleasure and delight to sentiments contained in a letter written by General Jackson to Mr. Monroe, on the subject of his Cabinet, which he was then about to select. This sentiment disclaimed all nominal distinction between Federalists and Republicans, and recommended that reference should be had only in principle; and the gentleman has reminded us that Mr. Jefferson, had declared that the distinction between Federalist and Republican was now merged.· True, Sir, the names of Fed- eralists and Republicans are no more; they have given place to other names; principles must be distinguished by names. Those who are for their country are Whigs, and ffiose opposed to it are Tories. Sir, at the declaration of the last war, there were many, both Federalists and Repub!icans, who were honestly opposed to that measure. They considered it inexpedient, and deferred more as to the expediency of the measure, than its cause. Many who viewed it as premature, and unauthorized by the circumstances, by which we were surrounded, aid not lend that willing aid which, under other circumstances, they would have done, but for a while withheld their co-operation. When the question presented itself
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