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THE REFLECTOR
VOL. !.
MILLEDGEVILLE, G. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1818.
NO. 14.
* 1
CONG HESS.
SPEECH OK GEN. HARRISON,
lOn introducing the motion for honoring the me
mory of Kosciusk o, on the 20th of January,
in the House of Kcvrtsentatives.
The public pajiers have announced an event
|w hicli well calculated to excite the sympa
thy of every American bosom. Kosciusko,
|lhe martyr of liberty is no more ! We are
informed that he died at Soleurc, in France,
Motile time in October last.
In tracing the events of this great man's
ilife, we find in him that consistency of con
duct which is the more to be 'admired as it is
so rarely to be met with. lie was not at one.
time the friend of mankind, and at another
the instrument of their oppression ; hot lie
preserved throughout his whole career those
noble principles which distinguished him in
its commencement—which influenced him at
an early period of hi3 life to leave his coun
try and his friends, and in another hemis
phere to fight for the right of humanity.
Kosciusko was born and educated in Po
land, of a noble and distinguished family—a
country where the distinctions in society are
perhaps carried to greater lengths than in
any other. His creator had, however, en
dowed him with a soul capable of rising a-
bove the narrow prejudices of a rast, and
breaking the shackles which a vicious cdu-
ation had imposed on his mind.
When very young, he was informed by the
Voice of fa me that the standard of liberty bad
been erected in America—that an insulted &
oppressed people had determeined to be free,
or perish in the attempt. Ilis ardent and
generous mind caught, with enthusiasm, the
holy flame, and from that moment he became
.the devoted soldier of liberty.
His rank ih the American army afforded
him no opportunity greatly to distinguisl
himself. But ho was remarked throughout
his service, for all the qualities which adorn
the human character. His heroic valor in
the field, could only be cqalle.d by his mode
ration and affability in the walks of private
life. He was idolized by the soldiers for his
bravery, and beloved and respected by the
.officers for the goodness of his heart, and the
great qualities of his mind.
Contributing greatly, by bis exertions, to
the establishment of the independence of A-
merica, he might have remained and shared
the blessings dispensed, under the protection
of a chief who loved and honored him, and
u the bu3oin of a grateful and affectionate
leople.
Kosciusko, however, hud other views. It
s not known that, until the period I am
peaking of, he hud formed any distinrtidea
>t what could, or indeed what ought, to be
lone for liis ow n. But in the revolutionary
car he drank deeply of the principles which
•reduced it. In his conversation with the
Intelligent men of our country, he acquired
new viewsofthescicnceofgovernment and the
was turned on the hero who had already
fought their battles—tho sago who had en
lightened them, and the patriot who had set
the example of personal sacrifices to accom
plish the emancipation of tliu people.
Kosciusko was unanimously appointed ge
neralissimo of Roland, with unlimited pow
ers, until the enemy should be driven from
the country. On his virtues tho nation re
posed with the utmost confidence j and it is
some consolation to reflect, amidst the gene
ral depravity of mankind, that two instan
ces, in the same age, have occurred, where
powers of this kind were employed solely
for the purposes for which they were given.
Itisnotiny intention, sir, to follow the
Polish chief throughout tho career of victory
w hich, for a considerable time, crowned his
efforts. Guided by his talents, and led by
liis valor, his undisciplined illy armed mili
tia charged with effect the veteran Russian
and Prussian : the mantled cuirasscrs of tho
great Frederick, for the. first time, broke
and fled, before the lighter and appropriate
cavalry of Poland. Hope filled the breasts
of the patriots. After a loug night, the
dawn of an apparently 'glorious d.#. broke
upon Poland. But, to the discerning eye of
Kosciusko, the light which it shed was of
that sickly and portentous appearance,
indicating a storm more dreadful than that
which lie had resisted.
He. prepared to meot.it with firmness, but
with means entirely inadequate. To the ad
vantages of numbers, of tactics, of discip
line, and inexhaustible resources, the com
bined despots had secured a faction in the
heart of Poland. And, if that country can
boast of having produced its Washington,
it is disgraced also by giving birth to a se
cond Arnold. The day at length came which
was to decide the fate of a nation and a hero.
Heaven, for wise purposes, determined it
shffuld he the last of Polish liberty. It was
decided, indeed, before the battle commenc
ed. The traitor Poniski, who covered with
a detachment the advance of the Polish ar
my, abandoned his position to the enemy, and
retreated.
Kosciusko was astonished, but not dis
mayed. The disposition of his army would
have done honor to Hannibal. The succeed
ing conflict was terrible. When the talents
of the general could no longer direct the
mingled mass of combatants, the. arm of the
warrior was brought to the aid of his sol
diers. Ho performed prodigies of valor.
The fabled prowess of Ajax, in defending
the Grecian ships, was realized by the Pol
ish hero. Nor was he badly seconded by his
troops As long as his voice could guide, or
liis example lire their volor, they were irre
sistible. In this unequal contest KoSciusko
was long seen, and finally lost to their view.
I “ Hope*for a season bade the world farewell,
And freedom shriek’d when Kosciusko fell*’*
lie fell, covered with wounds, but still
survived. A Cossack would have pierced
«• Ilehold your general, come once more
To lead you on to laurel’d victory,
To fame, to freedom.”
The delusion could have lasted hut for a
moment. Ho was hiihself, alas ! a misera
ble cripple; and, for them! they were no
longer the soldiers of liberty, but the instru
ments of ambition and tyranny. Overwhelm
ed with grief at the reflection, he would re
tire to his cottage, to mourn a fresh over the
miseries of his country.
Such was the man, sir, for whose memory
I ask from an American Congress a slight
tribute of respect. Not, sir, to perpetuate
his fame-—but our gratitude. His fame wilt
last as long as liberty remains upon the
earth: as long as a votary offers iticeiise
upon her altar, the name of Kosciusko will
he invoked. And if, by the common consent
of the world, a temple shall be erected to
those who have rendered most service to
mankind, if the statue of our great
countryman shall occupy the place of the
“ most worthy,” that of Kosciusko will be
found by his side, and the wreath of laurel
will be entwined wit* the palm of virtue to
adorn his brow. -
rights of man. He had seen too that te he free j ] MS fo^ast, an officer interposed. < Suftbi
it was only necessary that a nation should will | t j ln ( 0 execute his purpose/ said the bleeding
hero—* I am tho devoted soldier of my coun-
t, A to be happy it was only necessary that a
ation should be free. And was it not possible
;o procure these blessings for Poland ? For
Poland, the country of his birth, which had
i claim to all his services. That unhappy
ration groaning under a complication of e-
rils which has scarcely a parallel in history.,
die mass of the people were the abject slaves
if the nobles ; the nobles, torn into factions,
vere alternately the instruments am! the. vic-
iims of their powerful and ambitious neigh-
)ors. By intrigue, corruption, and force,
mine of its fairest provinces had been sepa
rated from the republic, and the people, like
leasts, transferred to foreign despots, who
ere again watching for a favorable moment
in* a second dismemberment. To regene-
ate a people thus debased— to obtain for a
ountry thus circumstanced, the blessings
if liberty and independence, was a w ork of
s much difficulty as danger. But to a mind
ike Kosciusk o, the difficulty and danger
f an enterpr,. i served as stimulants to un-
ertake it.
The annals of these times give us no de
fied account of the progress of Kosciusko
n accomplishing his great work, from the
eriod of his return from America tp the a
option of the new constitution of Poland,
n 1791. This interval, however, of appa
nt inaction, was most usefully employed to
umine the mental darkness which inve-
(oped his countrymen. To stimulate the ig-
orantand bigotted peasantry with the hope
f future emancipation—to teach a proud hut
;allant nobility that true glory is only to be
und in the paths of duty and patriotism—
terests the most opposed, prejudices the
ost stubborn, and habits the most invete
te, were reconciled, dissipated and broken,
the ascendancy of his virtues and exam-
e. The storm which lie had foreseen, and
T which ho had been preparing, at length
urst upon Poland. A feeble and unpopular
/vemment bent before its fury, and sub
itted itself to the Russian yoke of the in
d ’r. But the nation disdained to follow
example j in their extremity every eye
try, and will not survive its liberties.' The
name of Kosciusko struck to the heart of the
Tartar, like that of Marios upon the Cim-
briau warrior. The uplifted weapon drop
ped from his hand.
Kosciusko was conveyed to the dungeons
of Petersburg!! ; and, to the eternal disgrace
of the empress Catharine, she made him the
object of her vengeance, when lie could be
no longer the object of her fears. Her more
generous son restored him to liberty. The
remainder of his life lias been spent in vir
tuous retirement. Whilst in this situation
in France, an anecdote is related of him
w Iiich strongly illustrates the commaiul which
his virtues and his services had obtained over
the minds of his countrymen.
In the late invasion of France, some Po
lish regiments, in the service of Russia,
passed through the village in which ho lived.
Some pillaging of the inhabitants brought
Kosciusko from bis cottage. “ When I was
a Polish soldier,” said lie, addressing the
plunderers, “ the property of the peaceful
citizen was respected.” “ And who art
thou,” said an officer, “ who addresses us
with this tone of authority 2” « I am Kos
ciusko.” There was magic in the word. It
ran from corps to corps. The march was
suspended. They gathered round him, and
gazed, with astonishment and awe, upon the
mighty ruin lie presented. « Could it indeed
be their hero,” whoso fame was identified
with that of their country 2 A thousand in
teresting recollections burst upon their minds
—they remembered his patriotism, his devo
tion to liberty, his triumphs, and hi^g lori-
ous fall. Their iron hearts were sffiened,
and the tear of sensibility trickled down
their weather beaten faces. We can easily
conceive, sir, what would be the feelings of
the hero himself in such a scene. His great
heart must have heaved with emotion, to find
himself once more surrounded by the compa
nioi.s of liis glory ; and that lie would have
been upon the point of saying to them
SPEECH OF MR. JOHNSON,
On hit resolution to amend the present navy laws.
Mr. J ohnson, (of Virginia,) said, i am a-
bout to oiler a resolution for an amendment
of the law relative to the government of the
navy—1 beg it to be understood sir, that 1
am friendly to a navy, 1 consider it of the ut
most importance to tho defence of our coun
try. That a navy of a size and fcmcc pro
portioned to the population and resources of
the nation, under which some equitablu and
just regulations will always bo found of the
most essential service cither for defensive or
cocrsive operations. But sir, it is to a navy
of this description and thus governed I am
friendly. Not to one where military despo
tism reigns. It is to 111c truly astonishing
that for nearly twenty years the laws of this
country should have created and recognised
a distinction between the superior and in Cert
or officers of the navy, which would disgrace
the most despotic government. For an as
sault on a superior officer, an offence, which
if committed by a citizen, would subject him
to punishment by fine only—you condemn the
inferior officer to death, whilst the superior
officer for an assault on his inferior is subject
to such punishment, short of death as a court
martial in its discretion may pronounce, ge
ncrally I presume, a private reprimand. J
presume no question to he more clear, than
that no Court can impose a penalty of death
unless the power to punish by death be. ex
pressly given. How incompatible is such a
distinction with the genius and spirit of our
government. What a libel on the principles
of freedom and equality every where claim
ed in the United States, To what ridicule
would it subject the inferior officer who should
boast of the declaration of independence
and the equality of rights in this country,
1 ask if "the discrimination be just. If the
offences committed by the superior officers
ho not the most likely to prove injurious to
the service ; the most calculated to produce
demoralizing and had efl'ects by their exam
ple. I have no question that all evil and bad
examples set by men high in office and in the
confidence of the country, descend on socie
ty with the accumulated force of gravity
That whilst the same act if performed by an
obscure subaltern would be ridiculed and
condemned—'if performed by some distin
guished and popular favorite would, if not
openly approved, at least find many apolo-
ists. The true policy of this government
is to afford equal protection to all— to deal
out equal and exemplary punishments against
all offenders. If any distinction he made, I
would punish with most soverity the high in
office—the popular idol, who should become
forgetful of his duties and obligations to se-
cioty. There islittle danger that the rights
of the superior officers of the navy will be
violated, his person attacked or his feelings
insulted by those under his command. Ex
pericnce, and recent occurrences,. prove to
us, that the subaltern officer is in a very dif
ferent situation. I allude to a recent occur
rence on tho Mediterranean station. It has
been published to the world, and so far as
am informed, never been contradicted, that
whilst on that station, a most distinguished
officer, Captain Perry, did so far forget his
own dignity, as to order in his presence,
Captain Heath of the marine corps, and first
load him with the most vulgar epithets, and
then proceeded to inflict blows on his person,
and immediately ordered him under an ar
rest. Can such conduct bo tolerated in this
country 2 I hope and* trust not. But Capt.
Perry has submitted to and received the sen
tence of a court-martial. I will not at pre
sent speak of the proceedings of that court
—I am not possessed of the facts in a way to
authorise me. If the present resolution
should bo adopted, it is in my [lower to call
for the proceedings of that court. Sir, if
Congress docs not interpose its aid to pre
vent the recurrence of similar abuses in that
department, I shall consider tho «uu of glo
ry which had risen with such unusual splcna
dor on tho navy of the United States, as
shorn forever of his beams. What man of
honor, under existing circumstances with tli«
present law, would either enter your navy
himself, or permit liis son to do so 2 I would
as soon become the miserable slave, who
licks the dust from the foot of despotism, as
to enter, with the commission of u subaltern
officer, the navy of the United States with
the existing law, under the .command of a
proud, supercilious & tyrannical commander.
1 believe no acts of.distinguished valor and
great importance to society were over per
formed except by those who possess strong
passions. Passions are the winds that fan
the sacred ilamo of human genius. When
regulated and properly directed, they ariso
the owner of that rare gift to the most sub
lime heights of glory and renown. But when
irregular and unrestrained, they as frequent
ly precipitate the possessor of the most bril
liant genius into the gulf of ruin and destruc
tion. It is the province and the duty of tho
legislature, by salutary laws, to curb and re
strain the wild, irregular and pernicious sal
lies of human passion. •
No man deserves more of liis country for
his gallantry than Capt. Perry, tho hero of
Lake Erie—lie who during the late war shed
the brightest beam on this nation by which
it was lighted. Sir, 1 should despise myself
if 1 possessed a heart so cold, as not to
participate in the general respect, gratitude
and admiration for the man who by his prow
ess achieved such unfading glory to the na
tion ; but the most radiant beam which ever
played about tho head of the hero, may bo
obscured; and the most blooming laurels
may become tarnished by subsequent acts of*
tyranny and oppression. Who can behold
without the deepest regret—and without be
ing ready to drop a tear for the frailty of
poor human uaturc, tho hero surrounded by
by the trophies of military fame and renown,
basking in the sunshine of popular favor—
enjoying the respect and confidence of hi»
own nation, and receiviug the respect and
applause of foreign nations—stooping from
Ins elevation—forgetful of his own dignity,
and tho principles of justice—bringing be
fore him a feubaltorn officer, first bestowing
on him vulgar and scurrilous abuse, and then
violating bis person by blows. Sir, the A-
mcrican flag, wherever it waves, whether it
floats in the soft, voluptuous, and demoraliz
ing air of the Mediterranean, or glitters in
tho northern blast, should afford protection*
complete and ample protection, to every cit
izen who sails under it, from the common
sailor who stands before the mast to the proud
commodore who commands the squadron.
I hope the resolution will bo adopted.—i
am influenced by no other consideration than
a regard tojustice—and a just regard foe
the true and lasting prosperity of the navy.
To ail the parties, Capt. Heath, Capt. Per
ry and Coin. Chaunccy, I am a perfect
stranger.
“ Resolved, that the committee for the de
partment of the nary be instructed to en
quire into the expediency of £0 amending
the act, entitled “ Jni act for the bettor go
vernment of the navy of the United State*,*
(approved April 23, 1800,) which imposes
the penalty of death on an officer or private
in the navy who shall disobey tho lawful or
ders of his superior officer, or strike him, op
draw, or offer to draw, or raise any weapon
against him while in tho execution of the du
ties of his office, as to make the punishment
in the case of an officer, the forfeiture of his
commission or warrant and dismission from
the service, and in the case of a private
a dismission from the service; and so
to amend said act as to subject the superi
or officers who shall strike, or draw, or oK
fer to draw, or raise any weapon against
his inferior officer, to a forfeiture of his com
mission and dismission from the service: and
further to provide that no officer dismissed
from the service of the navy of the United
States for either of the causes above enume
rated, shall be reinstated by the president of
the U. States.”
Mr. Forsyth moved an amendment, as h£
thought the resolution of the honorable gen
tleman from Virginia struck at the very root
of subordination.
Mr. Johnson objected to the amendment,
when it was withdrawn.
Mr. Pleasants, chairman of the commit,
tee on naval affaire, moved to amend it, or
substitute the following, which was adopted
by Mr. Johnson. And the resolution pass
ed. “ Resolved, that tho committee on na
val affairs be instructed to enquire whether,
any, and if any, what alteration,s are neces
sary and proper to be made in the several
laws regulating the government of the navy.”
Mr. Johnson then moved tho following
which was also agreed to s “Resolved, that
the secretary of the navy bo directod to report
to this house the proceedings of the coart
martial, ordered by com. Chaunccy on tho
Mediterranean station, for the trial of com.
Oliver H. Perry; also the proceedings of
the court martial on the same station, order
ed by the same officer, for the trial of C.apfc.
iohn qf tyo marine cojj^
