Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-03-17
HON. DUDLEY sELDEN, OF NETWORK


HON. DUDLEY SELDEN, OF NETWORK
The independent stand taken by this genue
man on the floor of Congress, as one OF the he
representatives. from the City of New York, has
raised him high in public estimation. He is
now on a visit to N. York. numerous meeting
of the citizens of the ward in which ne lives
was held last week, and delegation was cho-
sen TO wait on Mr.. SELDEN, who, on entering the
Hall, was greeted with long continued cheers
He was conducted to the chair, and addressed
the meeting in short but pertinent speech,
which we copy:
He said that he was extremely sorry to have
been called on to address his fellow-cltlzens at
that time. He held an important public situa-
ton. which had been conferred on him by the
Gift of the people of this city; and perhaps 1t
MIGHT be said, that he should be at that moment
at the post where they placed him. Nothing,
however, but the most urgent necessity regard
ing his private concerns could have drawn him
away from IT. and he would, however, again re-
turn to it i'm few days, and use his best eXer-
tions. i'm whatever may be considered most ike
ly to advance the interests OF the people OF
that great metropolis. He would take this OPP
nortunity to look back to the moment when he
had been selected to go to Congress. ION that
occasion he had expressed his sentiments on
public subjects, and the sentiments he then eX'
pressed. he still adhered to; because he believ-
ed the principles involved in those sentiments
were the best calculated to promote the inte-
rests of the country. He had then said that ne
wonld sustain the administration as long as 1t
acted on those principles which raised it to OF
flee.
These PRINCIPLES were democratic, founded on
the rights of the people, and that the powers OF
the government should be restrained as Tar as
il might be found necessary in order to secure
the peoples rights in all their original omnipo-
fence and he could show from history that large
portion of the people believed it necessary to
curtail the powers of the general government.
He would be most willing to unite himself with
that party, which it had been his destiny to act
with, and would be most anxious to adhere to 1t
ifhe thought the principles which actuated the
Government were suitable to the country, but
he was sorry to say, that that party had usurp-
ed mower to themselves which was never
conferred on them by the Constitution. He
would, however say, that feeling altogether
adverse to such a state of things existed at
Washington. The representatives from the
south of the Potomac considered the question
as involving the existence and safety of the Go
yernment, not with reference to the question
whether there should be Bank or no Bank, but
whether the powers of Congress We're to be sus-
tanned or to be usurped by the Executive. The
Democratic party in the Southern States were
speaking on this question, and asking whether
the representatives of the people were to admin
lister the government or allits powers were to
be absorbed by single individual, who was to
override all at his good will and pleasure.
In alluding to the executive head of the State,
he did not wish to speak unkindly of that distin-
guished man, who had rendered such services
to his countrywide has deserved her gratitude
and received it. Though they were looking to
the Government for redress, it was in their own
a nd raf Left their ~
tatives be informed, that the conduct of the eX-
ecutive on that question, was not satisfactory to
the majority Of the people, and their representa-
tives must at once yield to the wishes OF their
constituents. He believed that much more might
be effected at the next election for New York,
than the mere changing of twenty votes. The
result of the ballot-box must make Congress
comply with their wishes, unless it appeared by
it that the men OF that city were satisfied with
the present state of things, and in that case it
would be vain TO expect relief from the seat OF
Government, or should any other question arise,
the result of which would decidedly show that
the people wished the present measures to be
changed, they certainly would be changed
He did not expect to have been called on to adj
dress them that evening, and hoped they would
excuse him for not saying more.
Mr.. Selden then retired, and the following re-
solution was unanimously adopted by the meet
ing:
Resolred, That it is with feelings of the high
est satisfaction this meeting embraces the oppor-
tunity now afforded to them of expressing to
the Hon. Dudley Selden in person, their hearty
appreciation of his conduct as their Representa-
tive in Congress during the present session. and
especially of the interest he has taken in the well
fare of his constituents and of the ability and
eloquence with which he has presented and adj
vocated their claims.
The proceedings of the meeting were spirited
throughout. Redwood Fisher Esq. delivered
one of the most able and appropriate speeches
that has been recently pronounced before po-
litical meeting. In the course of the evening,
Ralph J. Wells, Esq. a Jackson man, was called
on to express his sentiments, and commenced
as follows-"I am one of those who supported
General Jackson from the first. was one of
his first fastest and warmest friends But have
had ENOUGH OF GLORY. now want something
more substantial"
c--..1,, = Ybo Horsp w learn that SeVe-