Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-05-26
MR.. CHILTON'S SPEECH,
On the General appropriation Bill.

ing under consideration
Mr.. Chiffon, of Kentucky said that de-
bated as this subject had been on almost every
debatable ground, he did not arise 70 enter on
iurther discussion. He had already seen and
heard enough here, to convince him, and this he
had expressed at an early stage of this bill, that
the former Retrenchment party was Retrench-
ment party no longer Here was an opportuni-
ty to retrench; but where are the friends of the
system? Alas. alas. they are few-they have,
ii would seem, fled to other ranks, and to other
opinions.
My principal object, Mr. Speaker in arising
at this moment said MIR. c., is to answer what
acknowledge to be DEPRESSION from the sub
iect under debate; but it is due to the country
that should make inquiry of the gentleman
from North Carolina, (Mr. Bynum.) He has
said, sir, few moments since, that the Presl-
dent ofthe United States has redeemed his pro-
misses to the people ofthe country: and has been
uniform in his action on the principles which
elevated him to power. Among pledges which
that gentleman says the Executive made to the
people ofthe South, are the following:
lst That he would put down Internal I'M
provements.
:, 3D. That he would reduce the Tariff
3D. And that he would destroy the Y. States
Bank.
Sir if have misunderstood the gentleman,
ask it as a favor, that he will now correct me- as
| should regret to put wrong Interpretation on
his language, OF on that of any other gentleman
on this floor.
have paused for reply-none has been
given; and therefore take it as granted, that
Ihave correctly understood the language used.
Mr.. Speaker, permit me to say, that have
never been more astonshed at any declaration
which have heard on this floor, or elsewhere
tnan at that on which am now called for a few
moments to comment. Can it be, that such de-
clarations or promises were made to the people
of the South2 i ask, can it be so? Sir, 1t is
stated by member ofthis House-a highly no.
norable and respected member, OF whom my
personal knowledge is such as to forbid that
should for a moment question the correctness OF
his statements or any OF them.
Well, sir, inviting the House TO bear the Dec
laration in mind, must be permitted to submit
few remarks, on the subject of the Pledges
which the same individual (the President) was
understood to give to the Western people, at the
same time and for the same purpose, to wit to
secure their confidence and their votes.
MIR. John Quincy Adams was then, sir, Pres
ident Of the United States, and Henry Clay was
his Secretary. These gentlemen were known
to be the devoted friends of the Tariff and H.
terna Improvements, and so were the great bo-
dy of the Western people. The contest for the
Presidential Chair was between Mr. Adams and
General Jackson. The friends of the former,
with political forecast as | now find it, which
then mstook for an ambitious determination
to PROSTATE General Jackson, declared in the
Western country, that, if the General should
succeed in the contest, he would exert all his
energies and his influence to destroy the Tariff,
and their favOrite system OF Internal Improve
ments. The friends of Jackson repealed this
declaration, and asserted that if elected he
would sustain both; that he was as warmly and
devotedly friendly to each, as either Mr.. Adams
or Mr.. Clay could be; and that, in truth, the i'm
portant reason why the West had never been
permitted to participate In the smiles OF Exec
utive favor or the disbursements of the public
money, was, that we had never been 80 fortu-
nate as to secure the election OF Western
President, man acquainted with our true stu
alton, and disposed to respect our long neglected
rights. Imay, sir. be called on for the evidence,
on which we felt that We We're authorized to as
sert General Jackson's friendship for those two
systems of national policy. | am prepared to
give il; and am happy, MIR. Speaker, that SO fit
an opportunity has been afforded me for pre-
senting it to the country. Forif it be true, that
one class of pledges or promises were made in
the South to catch the Southern vote-and ano-
Their. and precisely an opposite class of pledges,
were made in the West, to catch the Western
vote-then it is time, and better late than never,
that the people should understand the plan of
operation by which they have been caught
This, if true, would prove the General quite
skilful political angler. He would seem to set
out as {" fisher of men"-to understand the
fishery-and we'll knowing that it is necessary
to take different fish, in different ways, he goes
batting tor perch, hooking for suckers, and bob
bing for eels; he is prepared at all points Such
is the representation now given of him as un-
derstand it,
While the contest before alluded to was going
on the Legislature of Indiana, aware of the
charges which the opponents of General Jack
son made against him on the foregoing sub
jects, adopted certain resolutions, of which, as
have them not before me-, l can only speak
from memory, though l cannot mistake their
hot I hox
in times that are passed, had occasion to use
them, as to impress them deeply perhaps indel-
IDLY on my memory.
Mr. Rea, who was then the acting Governor
of Indiana, was directed to forward those reso
lutions. to General Jackson; if not to address
him in his official character on the subject which
has been my impression heretofore: but this is an
immaterial fact as either way, the General was
notified of the grounds assumed against him by
his enemies, and requested, explicitly, to avow
his sentiments on those two absorbing subjects
The correspondence was accordingly opened,
and Cap JockSon ancwPre0 Yes sir and