ead, with extreme regret, the expressions of an inclination on your
part to retire from Congress. I will not say that this time, more than
all others, calls for the service of every man; but I will say,
there never was a time when the services of those who possess talents,
integrity, firmness, and sound judgment, were more wanted in Congress.
Some one of that description is particularly wanted to take the lead in
the House of Representatives, to consider the business of the nation as
his own business, to take it up as if he were singly charged with it,
and carry it through. I do not mean that any gentleman, relinquishing
his own judgment, should implicitly support all the measures of the
administration; but that, where he does not disapprove of them, he
should not suffer them to go off in sleep, but bring them to the
attention of the House, and give them a fair chance. Where he
disapproves, he will of course leave them to be brought forward by those
who concur in the sentiment. Shall I explain my idea by an example? The
classification of the militia was communicated to General Varnum and
yourself merely as a proposition, which, if you approved, it was trusted
you would support. I knew, indeed, that General Varnum was opposed to
any thing which might break up the present organization of the militia:
but when so modified as to avoid this, I thought he might, perhaps,
be reconciled to it. As soon as I found it did not coincide with your
sentiments, I could not wish you to support it; but using the same
freedom of opinion, I procured it to be brought forward elsewhere.
It failed there also, and for a time, perhaps, may not prevail: but a
militia can never be used for distant service on any other plan; and
Bonaparte will conquer the world, if they do not learn his secret of
composing armies of young men only, whose enthusiasm and health enable
them to surmount all obstacles. When a gentleman, through zeal for the
public service, undertakes to do the public business, we know that we
shall hear the cant of backstairs counsellors. But we never heard this
while the declaimer was himself a backstairs man, as he calls it, but in
the confidence and views of the administration, as may more properly and
respectfully be said. But if the members are to know nothing but what is
important enough to be put into a public message, and indifferent enough
to be made known to all the world; if the executive is to keep all
other information to hi