Madison Whig advocate. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1839-1841, 1839-08-10
address of the whig Convention,
70 THE PEOPLE OF MISSISSIPPI,

address of the whig Contention,
~o THE PEOPLE OF MISSISSIPPI,
Frrrow-CrTlzEys:-The Convention
,,b,cL assembled in Jackson on the 23th
~ January last. committed to us the du-
~ Of addressing you, in explanation,
and in furtherance Of its objects. We
are fully aware OF the difficulty and del
icacv OF the task that we undertake
But we address men far above the ordina-
~ average OF intelligence; and with
perfect reliance on the business of our
views, and the purity of our motives, we
will do our duty faithfully and fear
lessy.
1t was no light occasion that could
draw so many of US from our homes, in
distant portions of the State, in the
midst Of an inclement winter. We had
no motive for assembling, but to promote
the interests of our common country
and hopeless as may seem our effort to
win many of you from your cherished
preludiccs, give US, al least, a fair hear
ing, before you finally decide. The sub
jects which we propose to discusss are
deeply interesting 10 US all; and we who
address you, can have no motive to de-
ceiye you, ard no interest q crafty at
YOUR expense. All Of US are planters, or
dependent on the success of planting for
our prosperity; and in every crisis the
same dangers will threaten, and the
same safeguards must protect us all. We
have a common purpose. and common
stake in the destiny OF Mississippi. Let
US then, if possible, unite ourselves, and
thus exert that strength which only
union can confer,
We believe that the government of
our country IS administered by men who
are unit for the stations which they oc-
cup; that corruption, servility, and pee
uldllon are the necessary, as well as the
actual and notorious consequences OF the
system on which they avowedly act; that
the despotisln of party has supplanted
republican freedom of thought and ac-
ton; that vice and profigacy are coun-
tenanccd and honored by the highest
dictionaries; and that the power of the
Executive, in defiance Of the checks
provided by the wise jealousy of the fra
mers of the Constitution, has increased
beyond the anticipation of the most dis
irustful Of the wisdom of Republics. And
we cannot compare the present with the
past condition of our country, without a
fixed conviction, that the worst abuses
ever ascribed by party rancor 10 the
most unpopular of former admnlstra-
lions, are openly perpetrated by this.
Ii is familiar 10 all, that u great
change has come over the condition of
the United States, within the last few
years. We may assert, without hazard
OF contradiction, that no country did ev
er exist so eminenlly prosperously as
this, before the experiment of the party
now IN power, on the finances OF the
treasury, aud the finances OF the people.
Under the operation of the Compromise
Bill OF 1888, the Tariff was fully ade-
quate TO discharge the small remnamnt
OF the public debt; while the gradual
dImlnulon Of imports, and the steady
rate OF land sales, promised TO secure US
against any great excess, or any def
cheney, whatever, in the public revenue.
ana the Bank of the United States,
Walie It elevated the circulating medium
furnished by the most remote State
DaaSS, TO an equality with the issues OF
Inc best, preserved the purity of the
whole currency, by restricting its a
mount TO the proper wants of business.
ihis was our condition when the depos-
lies were removed from the Bank of the
United States, where they had been plac-
ed by law, and where they were subject
10 the control OF the Legislature. It'll
would avail nothing, to inquire into the
secret influences which prompted that
assault upon the credit of the Bank and
me rights OF the stockholders Let 1t
suince to say. that the present embar
,aSsments OF the country were forctold
y Inc wisest of our statesmen, as the
necessary consequence of that act; and
sual al who had sagacity to understand.
aHa Independence TO speak--opponents
a. wen as friends of the Bank, confident
y predicted a financial explosion. un-
rs me Executive would speedily re-
race his steps. The Specie Circular
fastened the crisis which it was inien-
va 70 prevent; and suspension of pay
ufht by the Banks followed, and wide
spread rum and an empty Treasury,
ere The immediate consequences.
iae honors of popular governmenfsl
nave usually been bestowed on those
nose lives have been signalized by en-
.uenl public services. The history oil
ne United States, before the election Of
af. Van Buren,, furnished no exception
y ms rule But it would be difficult to
ma, IN his biography, though written
y MS protested admrer. and designed
= recommend him to his countrymen,
cue act which can be distinguished for