crecy was thrust between us and the country. The full and speedy relief which we were willing to grant to the army and the country was coupled with a shield for the President and his advisers, and a declaration of war. I ask whether such precipitancy in declaring a national war, in breaking the peace of the world, is becoming in the representatives of this people? Is it wise, and does it become the dignity and forbearance which should characterize enlightened and benevolent freemen? Is it magnanimous or just thus to stifle debate?

"The history of Rome produces no Republican despotism more oppressive or dangerous to liberty than the tyranny we have seen manifested in this hall.

"I protest against this blind, infatuated registry of executive edicts; this despotic restriction of inquiry into official misrule; this adoption and concealment of the broken fragments of our fundamental code, as subversive of liberty. I am constrained to point to these enormities in defense of liberty itself." Speaking of his own people, he says:

"While they are all ready as one man to sustain the honor of the country, and to meet danger from without, they will be equally fearless, and ready to meet internal abuse and oppres sion. They are ready to maintain the just rights of the coun try at every sacrifice, but they are not for the annihilation or conquest of a sister republic. I inquire, sir, and they will in quire, when and how this war is to terminate? Whether it is to be prosecuted only for a just and magnanimous peace, or for the purposes of aggression, plunder, and conquest? If the lat ter, they will not sanction, but will fearlessly and freely con demn it. They are willing to leave the progress of Republican principles on this continent, and throughout the world, to the sure operations of truth-to the germ from which springs the tree of liberty-until all the nations of the earth shall recline under the branches of that tree, irradiated by the smiles of peace; but they are not in favor of coercing an adherence to Republican institutions by the sword! Prior Republics have done this, and, by reason of it, the historian is relieved from his task in regard to them.

"When and where this state of things is to end, God only knows. If our rulers are determined, as they now seem, upon annihilation and conquest, and the people shall sanction it, this

is but the twilight of the political darkness that must succeed it. To my mind, the day when the people of this republic shall fully sanction the subjugation and conquest of a foreign nation, dissimilar from us in language, habits, and laws, will be the darkest, by far the darkest day ever witnessed by this republic."

In all his various business operations Mr. Holmes has been signally successful. He has realized the ancient fable-every thing he touched has turned into gold; and it is remarked of him, that while others may possess larger estates, real and personal, his capital is so invested, and his business in such channels, that his annual income exceeds that of any other member of the present Congress.

SMITH, ROBERT.

THIS gentleman, whose history furnishes one amid the many instructive examples which these pages present, of the success attendant upon honorable aims and persevering efforts, represents the first Congressional District of the State of Illinois. He was born at Peterborough, New-Hampshire, on the 12th of June, 1802. His grandfather, William Smith, was one of the earliest settlers of that town, having emigrated from the north of Ireland. He was of Scotch and English descent. He held for many years the office of justice of the peace, and in 1774 was a member of the Provincial Congress. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of John and Margaret Morrison, and descended, on the maternal side, from Sir William Wallace. She had seven sons, all of whom grew to manhood. One of these sons was the late Jeremiah Smith, of Exeter, New Hampshire, distinguished for the many honors conferred upon him both by his own state and by the general government. The following epitaph, prepared by Daniel Webster and George Ticknor, is inscribed on his tomb-stone:

"Here rest the remains of

JEREMIAH SMITH.

In early youth

a Volunteer in the cause of the Revolution, and
wounded in the Battle of Bennington;
afterward

a Representative in Congress by the choice of the
People of New Hampshire,

and an able and efficient supporter of the measures of
WASHINGTON;

a District Attorney of the United States, and
Judge of the Circuit Court, by the appointment of
Washington's successor.

In years yet more mature,

Governor of New Hampshire, and

twice its chief justice.

He was, at every period of his life, well deserving of his country by his courage, his fidelity, and his devotedness to the public service; equaled by few in orig