the work of Opposition. It was the impertinent boldness of Chatham, the idle declamation of Fox, the unseasonable sarcasm of Barré. These men, and men like them, would not join the minister in his American war. They would not give the name and character of wisdom to what they believed to be the extreme of folly. They would not pronounce those measures just and honorable which their principles led them to condemn. They foresaw the end of the minister's war, and pointed it out plainly, both to him and to the country. He persisted in his course, and the result is in history. Important as I deem it, Sir, to discuss, on all proper occasions, the policy of the measures at present pursued, it is still more important to maintain the right of such discussion in its full and just extent. Sentiments lately sprung up, and now growing popular, render it necessary to be explícit on this point. It is the ancient and constitutional right of this people to canvass public measures, and the merits of public men. It is a home-bred right, a fireside privilege. It has ever been enjoyed in every house, cottage and cabin, in the nation. It is not to be drawn into controversy. It is as undoubted as the right of breathing the air and of walking on the earth. Belonging to private life as a right, it belongs to public life as a duty; and it is the last duty which those whose representative I am shall find me to abandon. This high constitutional privilege I shall defend and exercise within this House, and without this House, and in all places; in time of war, in time of peace, and at all times. Living, I will assert it, dying, I will assert it; and should I leave no other legacy to my children, by the blessing of God I will leave them the inheritance of free principles, and the example of a manly, independent and constitutional defence of them! Ex. CXXII.-SONG. JAMES GATES PERCIVAL. YE sons of sires who fought and bled Whose fame shall ever wider spread Till Time is bent and hoary Awake to meet the invading foe! Rouse at the call of danger! ADDRESS TO THE ARMY AT NEW ORLEANS. Beat down again his standard low, They knew no fear, those sires of old- Be like those sires! With freeborn might Who lives, shall win a wreath of light- 195 Ex. CXXIII.—ADDRESS TO THE ARMY AT NEW ORLEANS, DECEMBER 18, 1814. ANDREW JACKSON.* FELLOW CITIZENS AND SOLDIERS :-The general commanding in chief would not do justice to the noble ardor that has animated you in the hour of danger, he would not do justice to his own feelings, if he suffered the example you have shown to pass without public notice. Inhabitants of an opulent commercial town, you have, by a spontaneous effort, shaken off the habits which are created by wealth, and shown that you are resolved to deserve the blessings of fortune, by bravely defending them. Long strangers to the perils of war, you have emboldened yourselves to face them with the cool countenance of veterans ;-with motives of disunion that might have operated on some minds, you have forgotten the differences of language and prejudice of national pride, * This address was read at the close of a military review held about three weeks before the battle of New Orleans, which virtually closed the war of 1812-15. It is supposed to have been penned by Edward Livingston, an eminent New York lawyer, then residing in Louisiana, and a valued friend and supporter of General Jackson. The biographer of the latter remarks: "This address was Jackson's spirit in Livingston's language. The manuscript, in the handwriting of Edward Livingston, still exists." General Jackson, with many striking peculiarities of manner and character, was the idol of his army and the nation. He was successful in war, and conducted the Administration as President for eight years with such inflexible vigor and determination as commanded the respect alike of friends and ene mies. Had it not been for his promptness and decision, the Rebellion of 1861 would have begun in 1833, when an attempt was made by South Carolina, under the name of Nullification, to resist the government of the United States. and united with a cordiality that does honor to your understanding as well as to your patriotism. Natives of the United States! They are the oppressors of your infant political existence with whom you are to contend-they are the men your fathers fought and conquered, whom you are now to oppose. Descendants of Frenchmen! Natives of France! They are English; the hereditary, the eternal enemies of your ancient country-the invaders of that you have adoptedwho are your foes. Spaniards! remember the conduct of your allies at St. Sebastian's, and recently at Pensacola, and rejoice that you have an opportunity of avenging the brutal injuries inflicted by men who dishonor the human race. Citizens of Louisiana! the General commanding in chief rejoices to see the spirit that animates you, not only for your honor, but for your safety; for whatever had been your conduct or wishes, his duty would have led, and will now lead him, to confound the citizen unmindful of his rights with the enemy he ceases to oppose. Now, leading men who know their rights and who are determined to defend them, he salutes you as brethren in arms, and has now a new motive to exert all his faculties, which shall be strained to the utmost in your defence. Continue with the energy you have begun with, and he promises you not only safety, but victory over the insolent enemy who insulted you by an affected doubt of your attachment to the Constitution of your country. Soldiers! The President of the United States shall be informed of your conduct on the present occasion, and the voice of the Representatives of the American nation shall applaud your valor, as your General now praises your ardor. The enemy is near. His sails cover the lakes. But the brave are united; and if he finds us contending among ourselves, it will be for the prize of valor, and fame, its noblest reward. Ex. CXXIV.—RETROSPECTIVE VIEW OF THE WAR OF 1812-15. HENRY CLAY. WE are asked, What have we gained by the war? I have shown that we have lost nothing in rights, territory, RETROSPECTIVE VIEW OF THE WAR. 197 or honor; nothing for which we ought to have contended, according to the principles of the gentlemen on the other side, or according to our own. Have we gained nothing by the war? Let any man look at the degraded condition of this country before the war, the scorn of the universe, the contempt of ourselves, and tell me if we have gained nothing by the war? What is our present situation? Respectability and character abroad, security and confidence at home. If we have not obtained, in the opinion of some, the full measure of retribution, our character and constitution are placed on a solid basis never to be shaken. The glory acquired by our gallant tars, by our Jacksons and our Browns on the land,-is that, nothing? True, we had our vicissitudes; there were humiliating events which the patriot can not review without deep regret; but the great account, when it comes to be balanced, will be found vastly in our favor. Is there a man who would obliterate from the proud pages of our history the brilliant achievements of Jackson, Brown and Scott, and the host of heroes on land and sea, whom I can not enumerate? Is there a man who could not desire a participation in the national glory acquired by the war? Yes, national glory, which, however the expression may be condemned by some, must be cherished by every genuine patriot. What do I mean by national glory? Glory such as Hull, Jackson and Perry have acquired. And are gentlemen insensible to their deeds-to the value of them in animating the country in the hour of peril hereafter? Did the battle of Thermopyla preserve Greece but once? While the Mississippi continues to bear the tributes of the iron mountains and the Alleghanies to her Delta, and to the Gulf of Mexico, the eighth of January shall be remembered, and the glory of that day shall stimulate future patriots, and nerve the arms of unborn freemen in driving the presumptuous invader from our country's soil. Gentlemen may boast of their insensibility to feelings inspired by the contemplation of such events. But I would ask, does the recollection of Bunker Hill, Saratoga and Yorktown afford them no pleasure? Every act of noble sacrifice to the country, every instance of patriotic devotion to her cause, has its beneficial influence. A nation's character is the sum of its splendid deeds; they constitute one common patrimony, the nation's inheritance. They awe foreign powers; they arouse and animate our own people. I love true glory. It is this sentiment which ought to be cherished; and in spite of cavils, and sneers, and attempts to put it down, it will finally conduct this nation to that height to which God and nature have destined it. Ex. CXXV.-THE AMERICAN FLAG. JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE. WHEN Freedom, from her mountain height, And set the stars of glory there! Majestic monarch of the cloud! Who rear'st aloft thy regal form, ; When stride the warriors of the storm, 1 Flag of the brave! thy folds shall fly, |