The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-10-30
From the Rochester Republican.
Opinions Of A Merchant.

Opinious Of A Merchant.
We have been much struck, remarks
the Evening Post, with the sound sense
and pithy style of letter which we find
in the Cincinnati Advertiser of the 9TH of
September, from Captain ROBERT WAL
LACE. 1t is entitled "Plain Matiers Of
Fact, or The Reasons ofa Democrat for
differing Nth his Uhig Friends. Capt.
Wallace formerly served his country in a
military capacity, but who is now mer-
+. chant and one who looks upon the con-
test between the two political parties, and
upon the different modes of conducting
it, in precisely the light which it must
appear to any man of good understand
ing, clear of prejudices. We copy a
large portion of the letter -
81 am often complimented with an ex-
preston of establishment, that should 60
against my private interest - my family
connections-and all the intelligence and
decency with which | am surrounded.
But so it is.-among all this intelligence
find the greatest confusion of sentiment,
and in most of this decency an unfortun-
ate perverson of facts. Most of the OBJ
jections | hear to the present adminstra-
ton are unfounded calumnies - and all
the arguments have met with, can be
pushed to the single proposition that we
must, and will, have "a CHANGE" Not
a change of measures, for we hear Of no
measures suggested - but change of
men-without regard to principle, policy,
or responsibility which is saying to the
people, "you must trust us, but we will
not trust you; give us power, and ask no
questions" A party that condemn one
system without proposing another--only
touch one half of the subject. They
either have no plan digcsted, or they are
afraid to expose it. Can a rational hon
est man subscribe to such a mystery
Will log cabins and rolling balls convert
a man of common sense! Surely intel
ligence and candor have been discarded
by the party who descend to such Gimsy
devices. If had been wavering, these
degrading appeals to human folly would
have confirmed me on the opposite side I;
for the cause must be bad that requires
such system of delusion.
We are told that Jackson was elected
by hickory poles and brooms--and con-
sequently. that buckeye and cider will
convert us again. But there is one small
difference in the two cases; one was the
spontaneous result Of admiration and con-
fidence-the other is an attempt TO pro-
duce an effect without cause. The
effort to reconcile such contradictory ele-
ments, know is troublesome task, and
places the unfortunate candidate in very
unpleasant position. Gen. Harrison has
made great sacrifices to oblige his friends,
and l fear that their gratitude depends on
his election. The host that expect to
ride into Office on his shoulders could
devour Mr.. Poinsett's army at meal /;
if they fall in their prospects, the General
may sink or swim as he can--no fear
But have wandered little from my OBJ
ject, which is to inform my wing friends,
that without their superior intelligence,
am at no loss to define my principles !;
and have heard no argument as yet, suf-
fcient to change them.
| know that the wing party do not
= openly acknowledge that National Bank
is their leading object, but individually
they will admit the fact. 1t is the strong
est tie that binds them together; but hav-
ing been thrice defeated under it, flag,
they are now contending for it in disguise.
1t is the sheet anchor of an aristocracy,
and without it, they never can hold the
ascendency in our government am
opposed to a National Bank, because
believe it entirely unconstitutional, mimi
cal to a republican government; vicious
and currupting monopoly; am in favor
of an Independent Treasury, because it is
directly opposed to such an institution,
and holds the public funds in the hands
of our Representatives the idea of crea'
ting an unconstitutional power TO check
and control any branch of our govern
ment, appeared to me, the most Prepos'
ferrous absurdity that ever was suggested