Southern shield., 1840-09-18


 time-I had little idea of the surprising change which would be wrought in its ap pearance during the time which has super vened. Never did 1 expect to stand here and behold such scene as this. It resem- bles somewhat the recent seige of Old Fort Meigs! l am now sixty-seven years Of age 1 have therefore lived to behold much of the glory of my country have seen the palmy days of this Republic; and especial ly have l witnessed many of the brilliant events which have characterized the grow ing greatness of the lovely West-but this very day and its incidents mark an epoch in my own history the like of which have seldom experienced. Itis now twenty-five years since last was at Fort Greenville then surrounded by a dense forest, dark and drear At that period there was scarce a Log Cabin between Greenvlle and Gin cinnati-all between was one entire, unbro- ken wilderness. How wonderfully and how speedily have the giant woods bowed their stately tops to the industry and enter prise of Western Pioneers, as if some mag ic Power had cleaved them from the earth! And now in their stead, what do we behold2 Broad, cultivated fields, fowery gardens, and happy homes. Delightful picture gratifying change Proud reflection! that this transition of things is the result of the handiwork of Western People-of Amerl- can Freemen.
 Felow-citsens, you have undoubtedly seen it oftentimes stated in a certain class of newspapers, that am a very deserpit old man, obliged to hobble about on crutch- es; that 1 was caged up, and that could not speak loud enough to be heard more than four or five feet distant; in conse- quence of which last misfortune, am stig- matized with the cognomen of General Mum" You now perceive, however, that those stories are false But there are some other more serious matters charged against me, which shall take the liberty to prove untrue You know that it has been said by some, that have no principles; that l dare not avow any principles; and that am kept under surveillance of committee" All this is se,-unconditionally noto- riously false. The charge of my being in the keeping of a committee, is the only one that seems to merit moments consldera- ton, and that, barely to indicate it's origin. A few months past almost every mail that has come to the Post Offices at which re- ceive my letters and papers, has brought me a greater or less number of letters-all of which have opened and examined Some of them have proved abusive and contemptible, designed especially to taunt and insult and such were of course con- signed to the flames. But on the other hand, letters decorously written, for the purpose of eliciting information, have been uniformly replied to, either by myself per. sonally, or by some one acting under my authority and obcying my insrruchons- commune ating my opions, and not hls own Is there any thing criminal or improper Tn this mode of doing businessR Surely, my friends, trow not.
 Now, with regard to the political condi- ton of our common country, trust there is no impropriety in my addressing you up on subjects concerning the public weal.- What means this great commotion' among the people of this great nation? What are the insuferable grievances which have driv- en so many thousands, nay, millions of the American people into council for the pur- pose of devising measures for their mutual relief Wherefore do they cry aloud as with one voice, Reform! Reform! Reform Our country is in peril! The public nor als are corrupted. How has it been done2 ITO the victors belong the spells" say your rulers What are the consequences! Ask the hundred Public Defaulters throughout the landl Ase the hrelings of corruption who are profering "Power and Place" as bribes to procure votes Ask the subsldlz- ed Press what governs its operations, and it will open it's iron jaws and answer you in a voice loud enough to shake the pyramids -Moneyl money! 1 speak not at random facts bear testimony. The principle is boldly avowed, as we'll as put in high pla- ces, that falsehood is justifable in order to accomplish their purposes Why this lax ity in the moral of our rulers and of their folowers2 Did they inherit depravity from their ancestors? How does it come that such recklessness of truth and justice is manifested of late by some individuals a. mong us2 Why, some of the causes which produce these evils have already intima- ted. There are others. Intense party spi- Tit destroys patriotism. 4 celebrated Gre clan Commander once said, and said truly --"Where virtue is best rewarded, there will virtue most prevail" It is even so-- wise and true saying. But how has the practice of your Government of late ac- corded with this maxim2 It is proverbial with the advocates of monarchy in the Old World, that Republics are u0grateful- How does your experience for the last few years give the lie to this proposition2 Nay, fellow citizens fear that this Government affords many examples which tend but too strongly to verify the proverb. Among other instances of its manifest ingratltude, to one will here recur. mean the remo- UaI off hnn