Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-10-13
ADDRESS
OF THE CONVENTION nELp ATTuE sThTI
HOUSE IN PROVIDENCE, iTn SEPT, 10 TIL
4; EEMEN or RHODE ISLAND.

OF THE CONVENTION nELD AT THE STATE
HoUSE IN PROVIDENCE, ;rH SEPT, TO the
4; EEMEN or RHODE ISLAND.
In performing the duty with which you
= charged them, your delegates have recon-
mended such men for Electors OF President
and Vice President, as they believed you
would Yourselves have selected, had you
been assembled together. for that pur-
pose. OF the qualifications of these caLdi.
dates il is not necessary for us to speak
They are known 10 you generally as they are
10 MS; and wherever they are best, and have
been longest known, they are most valued
aud their characters held in the hlghcs, esti-
nation. They have never been dcsrous of
political distinction: and whenever pressed
into public stations, their only ambition has
been to do their duty faithfully and sorupu-
lously to the public, as they do, in private
life, to their neighbors and to society. There
are times when the public need such trust
worthy friends as much as individuals; and
upon such-times are we fallen. Should they
be elected, they will prove themselves wor-
thy of your confidence.
We will say nothing in dsparagement of
the opposing candidates. They are highly
respectable men; and It is only to be regret
ted that such men should be entanged in the
net of an intriguing politicians; whose eleva-
ton TO the chief maglstracy, we sincerely be-
lieve, would be disastrous to the nation; and
, especially go to the best interests of New
England
We agree entirely in the opinion already
expressed by u respectable portion of our iel-
low citzens-That Martin Fan Buen IS not
the candidate Of The people: but is, IN truth,
nothing more nor less than the adopted success
sor of President Jackson, supported by The men
in office, combined together TO perpetuate them
selues IN poper by choosing their o,on future
chiefs.
The people themselves know, whether Mr..
Van Buren is the man, whom, If LETT to their
own free sufirages,they would have selected,
in preference to all others, to rule over them
If he is not; surely it behooves them to know
whose candidate he is; and what are the
8 means and influences by which he is to be
imposed upon the nation.
A But, postponing this serious inquiry for the
Q present; and forgetting, if we can, the com
, manding attitude in which Mr.. Van Burer
n appears before us; let us inquire, what are hi
q own personal claims upon the public, com
pared with those of Gen. Harrison, who j
surrounded by no such controlling influences
and has nothing to sustain him, if he is sus
tained but his own merits and the good opln
ions of his fellow citizens. Gen. Harrison
e nomination originated with the people them
J. selves, spontaneously, without any agency o
e his own, or any political concert. lie wa!
d first recommended by large popular meeting
: in Pennsylvania, whose example was rapidly
= followed by many similar meetings of tho
1 people in other States; and so far as this cx
$ tends he is, emphatically, "the peoples can
}, didate" Let us inquire whether he Is de
: serving of these warm, disinterestcd, and un
n influenced recommendations, or, whether Mr.
E Van Buren has a better title to them.
: BY fortunate, though unusual occurrence
j these two candidates have been brought to
;, gether, upon the same stage, before the pub
/ lie, to speak for themselves and avow thel
8 political sentiments, principles and views,up
f. on nearly all the political questions of mos
r vital Importance and deepest interest to tn
is people. A duplicate letter was addressed
s. each of them, on the 9TH of April last b
ID Sherrod Williams, Esq. respectable men
A. Der Of Congress; requesting "a frank, plal
Is and full answer" to five questions, dlstinctl
t. put to them upon those important SUBJECTS
'el Gen. Harrison returned a prompt and explic
Of reply to all The questions, in letter date
the list of May. Mr.. V. b. delayed answer
ing until the 9th of August, when he also re
piled. Both letters, with the signatures {
the writer's, are before the public. Let u
carefully compare them together. The TO
r lowing are the questions, and the substanc
of the answers, as far as principle is concern
1T FIRST QUESTION.
"HM you If elected President of The u s
~ sign and approve n bill distributing the smplu
repenue of the u. S. TO each State according
. the federal population Of each, for Internal IN
propenients, education, and 10 such other o6jec
~ as the Legislatures Of the several States mo
to see fiji to apply the same?"
C, GEN. HARRIsoN's ANSWER.
It. "The immediate return Of all the surpl,
money which is, or ought to be, in the Trea
10, ury Of the U. s. to the people, from whom
to was taken, is called for by every principle
policy, and, indeed Of safety to our instit
nd lions" He deprccates the distribution of Il
ed surplus public money, by the Government
mong its iavorite banks, and is Of oplnio
that, if distributed equitably, among q
:, States, it will again become part Of the n
" cessary circulating medium from which
, was taken, and be usefuly employed in q
lh- legitimate business operations and enterp
n scs of the country, which must be cramp
eI and embarrassed for the want Of il should
%; be kept in the hands Of the Government.
~ Mr.. VAN BUREs's ANSWER.
to "In my opinion, Congress does not posse
raj the pouer under the Constitution. to raise m
i'd ney for distribution among the States; and
a distinction can be maintained between raj
- ing money for such purpose, and the dstrlb
n ton OF an unexpected surplus (of which
y not sa,sfed) think il ought not to be Q
L' tempted without a previous amendment Of :
e.; Constitution, &c." "R ,couid indeed be gre
o'' misfortune II that io,c oere regarded by :
- country as piedging The future course 81