The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-02-15
q o irgrrss o nal.
SPEECH OF MIR. HAMER,
Or ONO.

SPEECH OF MIR. HAMER,
Or Ono.
In House Of Representatives., Jan. s, 1887.
On resolution, offered 10y Mr. WISE of
Virginia, for the appointment of COM
mlttee TO inquire into the state of the
Executive Department of the Govern
meDt.
Continued
The reason assigned for making war
upon Mr.. Van Buren, is that he is a
USURPER! Yes sir, although elected
by .he people of the United States, he is a
usurper Language is changing its mean
ing nowadays, and we shall soon be un-
able to understand each other. Let us look
into this charge.
We all know there were many persons in
the democratic party who did not prefer
Mr.. Van Buren, to all others, as the success
sOr of General Jackson. Some of us pre-
ferred Judge Mclean some were for Colo
mel Benton others we're for Judge White;
and many were in favor of the honorable
gentleman from Kentucky, Colonel John
son.) He was not my first choice. Thou
sands of us in Ohio preferred distinguish
/
personally; we had seen the zeal, industry
and ability displayed by him in the man
agement of an important Department ofthe
Government, and in the discharge of every
duty deyolving upon him in the various sta
,ions he had held, both under the State and
! Federal authorities. We believed he would
make an excellent Chief Magistrate whilst
on the other hand, some of us had been in
duced to believe that, although Mr.. Van
Buren, possessed great abilities and expe7
rience, still he was an intriguing politician.
We believed so, because we heard these
things said, day iafter day, for years, and
scarcely ever heard a word said in his de-
fence. How could any one expect US un-
der such circumstances, to come TO a favor
able conclusion IN regard to him. | must
here beg pardon of the House for speaking
particularly of myself When was first
elected to Congress, was elected as a Nc
Lean man. Myself and one of my colIea-
CUES were well known, both at home and at
this place, to be favorable TO the Judge /;
whilst the other friends of the adlninistra-
ton from Ohio were either for Mr.. Van Bur-
en-, or uncommittcd.
convention of the Jackson party was held,
at which they nominated Mr.. Van Buren,
for President; thus crowding Judge Nc
Lean off the track in Ohio. 1t was a mat
ter of public notoriety among those who
took any interest in my opinions, that,
judging from the information received
with regard to this proceeding, the manner
of getting up and conducting the conven-
ton, | at that time disapproved it, though
subsequent information changed my opin-
ions. ] wrote three letters expressive ofmy
disapprobatlon-.priUate osfdentiai letters,
so marked upon their face. Two were
written to a gentleman long since deceased
and the other to an individual still living.
Both these persons were Jackson Mclean
men, and my personal friends. During the
campaign last fall these letters, with the
word, Z" pirate" and the names Of the cor
respondents erased, and with what other al
terations-if and-I know not, appeared in
the public newspapers. The liying-corres-
pondent denied having any thing to do with
the publication and the family of the de-
ceased had no participation in it. A few
p" whigs," with two or three protessed Van
Buren, men, am told, superintended the
publication. do not charge it upon the
opposition as party, for take pleasure in
saying that however wrong ] may think
them in their politics, there are thousands
of them who are highminded, honorable
men !; men who would suffer their right
arms to be severed from their shoulders,
rather than descend TO a mean or dishon-
orabie action. But the men Of any party
who would violate the secrecy Of conf
dental correspondence, who would procure
the private communications passing between
personal and political friends, and expose
their contents to the world without the con-
sent Of the parties, are unworthy Of the
society of gentlemen any where, and deserve
the scorn and indignation Of every honest
man in the community.
These letters were published 10 prove my
Inconsistency, in having once been favorable
TO Judge Mexican, and being Low for Mr.
Van Buren, and the charge was made by
individuals the Harrison party, who ac-
knowIedgcd that Gen. Harrison was not
their first choice bu, they supported him
because ne 1as taken mp by their party /!
They ipreferred Mr.. Clay or Webster but
when their friends settled down upon the
Hero of Tippecanoe, they went for him.
The friends Of Judge Mclean. who be-
lonyed 70 the democratic party, adhered to
him as long as there was any prospect ofliis
being rnn by that party. Wiicn that failed