measures which he had
opposed, and evils which he had predicted; adding, at the close of each
review, "and so it proved." Chatham then spoke more particularly on the
subject of the motion. He remarked: "My lords, I rejoice that the
grave has not closed upon me; that I am still alive to lift up my voice
against the dismemberment of this ancient and most noble monarchy!
Pressed down as I am by the hand of infirmity, I am little able to
assist my country in this most perilous conjuncture; but, my lords,
while I have sense and memory I will never consent to deprive the royal
offspring of the House of Brunswick, the heirs of the Princess Sophia,
of their fairest inheritance. Where is the man that will dare to advise
such a measure? My lords, his majesty succeeded to an empire as great in
extent as its reputation was unsullied. Shall we tarnish the lustre
of this nation by an ignominious surrender of its rights and fairest
possessions? Shall this great kingdom, that has survived whole and
entire the Danish depredations, the Scottish inroads, and the Norman
conquest--that has stood the threatened invasion of the Spanish
armada,--now fall prostrate before the house of Bourbon? Surely, my
lords, this nation is no longer what it was! Shall a people, that
fifteen years ago were the terror of the world, now stoop so low as to
tell their ancient, inveterate enemy, 'Take all we have, only give us
peace?' It is impossible! I wage war with no man, or set of men. I wish
for none of their employments; nor would I co-operate with men who still
persist in unretracted error; who, instead of acting on a firm, decisive
line of conduct, halt between two opinions where there is no middle
path. In God's name, if it is absolutely necessary to declare either for
peace or war; and the former cannot be preserved with honour, why is
not the latter commenced without hesitation? I am not, I confess, well
informed of the resources of this kingdom, but I trust it has still
sufficient to maintain its just rights, though I know them not. But,
my lords, any state is better than despair. Let us at least make one
effort; and if we must fall, let us fall like men!" When Chatham
sat down, the Duke of Richmond rose again, and after replying to the
arguments of Lord Weymouth, he attempted to answer the great orator.
Although evidently disconcerted and irritated at the course he had
taken, the Duke professed the greatest veneration for Chatham's name and
person, a