To no purpose is it urged, that the bill is far advanced,
for if we have not proceeded in the right way, we
ought to be in more haste to return, in proportion
as we have gone farther; nor can I discover why we
should expedite, with so much assiduity, measures
which are judged ineffectual, by those who know their
consequences best, and for whose advantage they are
particularly designed.
That we have already spent so much time in considering
methods for manning the fleet, is surely one reason
why we should endeavour at last to establish such
as may be effectual; nor can we hope to succeed without
a patient attention to their opinion, who must necessarily
be well experienced in naval affairs.
It is surely, therefore, neither prudent nor just
to shut out intelligence from our assemblies, and
ridicule the good intention of those that offer it,
to consult upon the best expedients for encouraging
and increasing sailors, and when the merchants offer
their scheme, to treat them as saucy, impertinent,
idle meddlers, that assume—
Here the ATTORNEY GENERAL called him to order, and
spoke after this manner:—Sir, it is not
very consistent to press the despatch of business,
and to retard it, at the same time, by invidious insinuations,
or unjust representations of arguments or expressions:
whenever any expression is censured, it ought to be
repeated in the same words; for otherwise, does not
the animadverter raise the phantom that he encounters?
Does he not make the stain, which he endeavours, with
so much officious zeal, to wipe away.
That no epithets of contempt or ridicule have, in
this debate, been applied to the merchants, nor any
violation of decency attempted, it is unnecessary
to prove, and, therefore, it is neither regular nor
candid to represent any man as aggravating the refusal
of their petition with reproaches and insults.
But not to dwell longer on this incident, I will take
the liberty of reminding the gentleman, that personal
invectives are always, at least superfluous, and that
the business of the day requires rather arguments
than satire.
Mr. SANDYS then spoke as follows:—Sir,
I am by no means convinced that the learned gentleman
who charges me with irregularity, is better acquainted
than myself with the rules and customs of this house,
which I have studied with great application, assisted
by long experience. I hope, therefore, it will
be no inexcusable presumption, if, instead of a tacit
submission to his censure, I assert, in my own vindication,
that I have not deviated from the established rules
of the senate, that I have spoken only in defence
of merit insulted, and that I have condemned only
such injurious insinuations. I did not, sir, attempt
to repeat expressions, as ought not to be heard without
reply.
Then the PRESIDENT said:—I believe the
gentleman either heard imperfectly, or misunderstood
these expressions, which he so warmly condemns, for
nothing has been uttered that could justly excite his
indignation. My office obliges me on this occasion
to remark, that the regard due to the dignity of the
house ought to restrain every member from digressions
into private satire; for in proportion as we proceed
with less decency, our determinations will have less
influence.
