The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-05-16
THE MADlS0 OMAN.
REMARKS OF THOMAS ALLEN.

.ssSSss
REMARKS OF THOMAS ALLEN,
OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON,
yslirsred before the National Contention of
Democratic Republican Young Men IN
Monument Square, Baltimore, May 5, lS4O,
in response to the call upon him as one Of
the Vice Presidents Of The Convention, to
ansuer briefly for the District Of Columbia.
Mr. PRESIDENT AND FELLOW CITIZENS:
Called upon most unexpectedly to address
this Convention, rise with an entire difiidence
of nv ability TO say any thing worthy Of your
time and attention. A first speech before a
popular assembly necessarily needs>indulgence.
| wi ii the task imposed on me had fallen on
some one who could have made no such APP
peal But this is not time to shrink from re-
sponsibility; and shall proceed to speak, as
well as can, what know and feel, but what,
nevertheless, habit would have inclined me to
urite.
And first. desire to thank you, most sincere
w, not only in my own behalf for the honor Of
allotting me so conspicuous part in your de-
lib .rations, but in behalf Of the Delegation from
the District Of Columbia, (present 300 strong)
portion OF whose constituents, viz: the Re-
publican Committee of rs, you have done the
honor TO select as your leading Central Com
mittae Of the Union and in behalf also of the
Washington City press, which | in part repre-
sent, to which you have exhibited distinguished
Partially in one Of the resolutions you unani-
mously adopted yesterday and ordered into
execution this morning. desire also to accom-
pany this expression with the assurance that
nothing, that is practicable, shall be left undone,
on our part, to justify the confidence you have
reposed in US. We have not been inactive here
tofore in the preparation and dissemination of
political information; and our labors, such as
they were, have been attended with good and
decided effect; and now, our zeal viii receive
from your encouragement additional fire, and
with your endorsement the sphere of our useful
ness will be extended We have had many
obstacles TO contend against, and in connection
with the press, the great lever of power, permit
me TO mention the destruction Of one Of our
printing establishments by, as | believe, the
torch Of the incendiary. And as an illustration
OF the spirit which actuates us in the District,
must tell you that we are not to be conquered by
fire. We met that argument, and triumphed
over it. We were only "scotched, not killed."
We have proven more than a match, for "loco
foco match" The Nladisonian has arisen from
its ashes, like the Phoenix,
"selfborn, begotten by the parent flame
In which it burn'd, another and the same
and with your appreciation it will prosecute vi
gorous and incorporating war.
All our doubts and difficulties vanish before
such an outpouring Of the people as we witness
here. The cloud that has brooded like Egyptian
darkness over the country is breaking away, and
the children Of the American Israel are moving,
in long procession, out from the bondage of our
political Pharoah. | see in this great and glo-
rious exhibition Of popular feeling, and in the
numerous other signs which brighten the horizon
in every section Of the country an earnest Of a
certain victory over all obstacles which must
crown our principles and efforts in November
next. In this prospect the citizens Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia rejoice heartily with you.
| desire to say nothing TO increase the present
enthusiasm-nothing can | add to the force Of
eloquence, the strength of argument, or the ar
ray of facts which already must have established
your convictions. We are wisely limited here
TO short speeches. However abundant the ma
terials for long ones am not now disposed to
use them. The time for action has arrived
We have tried deberation in vain for the last
several years. And why is it my fellow coun-
trymen, that we have congregated here on this
memorable day in such vast numbers, and with
such depth and strength of feeling? Is it be-
cause monarch has been crowned, or prince
been born2 Is it true that pageant has been
purchased through blood and treasure wrune
from the poor the oppressed, the "bread taxed,n
to swell the pomp and circumstance of ROYALTY,
or to give an empty eclat TO tyrants name2
No, gentlemen. 1t is the voluntary movement
Of jealous people. 1t is the spontaneous re-
Spouse of the race ofthe ransomed to the rallying
cry Of the genius of liberty. Her notes of alarm
have been heard in the hills and valleys of the
country, and her sons, in the spirit Of their sires
have regarded her voice, and rushed TO the rescue
The young and lion hearted and the free-titled
embodying the sovereign power Of the Repub-
lie have come up to sit in judgment on the con
duct and character OF an unwise, impracticable,
and unprincipled administration That admi-
nistration is found guilty. The sentence of
Punishment has passed. Its execution only
awaits the forms of the Constitution.
But is it asked, what have the citizens of the
District OF Columbia to do with the matter
Gentlemen the citizens Of that District albeit
graded and oppressed by merciless party
claim TO have the sensibilites and the under
standings ofmen. They have sympathised deeply
with their fellow countrymen, and they have
felt the more indignation because they have been
daily and familiar witnesses of the unworthy
causes OF that stagnation and embarrassment
which have afflicted every body and every thing
in the Union. We have indeed experienced
the practical effects Of the measures of the ad-
mini tratlon concentrated many degrees beyond
the iot OF our countrymen in any Of the States,
We are to the admin stration lust what the
wooden statue is to the tailor-the last to the
sho 3maker-the crucible to the fire. We are
hsipiass victims upon whom senseless or cor |
ropt empires first try their experiments to see
how they work. If the trial is satisfactory there,
the no trum Is applied to the rest of the Union
II It y not we alone experience the torture. But.
fellow citizens, do you suppose we are passive
victims OF these experiments? Deprived as we
are, most unjustly, Of the right of suffrage, we
yet possess what heaven has kindly vouchsafed
10 all men, the liberty Of speech, and we dare TO
exercise it fully and freely, The recent assem- |
blagcs of the people of the District have been
numerous, respectable and enthusiastic beyond
precedent. No preliminary threats could in
lmldate them IN the open, audible expression of