Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-10-21
AN ADDRESS, u
Delivered before the TIPPECANOE CLTR
OF LowNDEs CITY. MISS, OCTOBER, 7, 1910, BY
HENRY BROWNE. ESQ


with Jealous scutny the conduct of
Chief Magistrate who has been pre-emi.
nently successful in producing general
rum and dissatisfaction, and you ought to
reflect maturely before you again entrust
the constitution and interests Of your coun-
try to the hands of him the history of whose
Administration is forcibly told in the
loud denunciations of three. fourths of his
countrymen. In appearing before the
voters of the United States as candid
ate for reelection to the presidency Mr..
Van Buren, has placed himself for trial
before the Grand Tribunal of the nation
and before you he stands charged with
high crimes and misdemeanors. In con.
Quoting your examination of the measures
of Mr.. Van Buren's administration, and in
making up the verdict which you will be
soon called upon to give, be not deferred
from pursuing what is right by the appre-
hension of being charged withinconsistency
by the bigotted or unprincipled partizans
with whom you formerly co-operated.
When your country is in a condition of
ruin and destruction, when the character
Of your Government is rapidly undergoing
change from a Republic to. a Federal
despotism, something more is required
from the sons of Freedom than mere con-
slstency in the support of men without
principle, land a stupid forbearance towards
the measures of him for whom you may
have once given your vote. 1t is our du.
ty, Mr.. Chairman, 10 look closely into the
| destructive measures of our rulers, and
Inconsistency instead Of an approbrium be-
comes a virtue when it acts as a correc.
tive of the mischefs which ignorance and
delusion have brought Upon US. 1t is not
the elevation or defeat of one man alone
that is involved in this discussion, but the
misery 81 prosperity of millions, and prob
ably the permanency of our free institu-
tons; and when the advocates of Mr.. Van
Buren, attempt to persuade you that the
opposition, and the charges which the
wings are urging against him, are nothing
but struggle for power and a contention
for office, you ought to tell those who have
The lmpudencc to insult your understan-
| dlngs in this manner, that it is a most
sacred duty and most inviolable right of
freemen 10 investigate and determine up
on the conduct of their public servants,
and when they are found unworthy OF
their confidence to discharge them from
their employment.
| have toomuch confidence in the in.
herent integrity of the people to doubt
what will be their verdict IN November
next, if they will only discard party con
siderations and leave their judgements
free 10 examine the errors into which I'm.
principled political demagogues will
endeavor to lead them, that they may
convert their honest credulity to thei
own base and selfish purposes.
! In addressing you, Mr.. Chairman,on the
next presidency, in the manner which
shall adopt, | am sure that, my motives
require no vindication, am no disappoint
ed petitioner for Office, ] am no aspiran
for public favor, have no selfish purpose
to crafty, and in the humble efforts which
| may make, have but one object in view
and that ismy copntry's good.
To sustain all the char ges which Nigh
be made against Mr.. Van Buren,, woult
} require such mass of evidence that wer
| to attempt TO lay it before you SHOULD
treSpass too long on your time and pa
thence for me TO expect TO be listened L
with attention, shall therefore endeavo
to condense what | shell say as much q
e the nature ofthe subject will admit, an
/. can therefore do little more than state tn
j most prominent elections to his admins
S tration and refer you to the evidence.
I Charges VS. Van Buren.
: This administration may be justly char
> ged with the present ruined and disas
trous condition of this country, with tn
most culpable and objectionable indifel
elce to is sufferings, and with suggestin
no plan of relief for the evils which til
II measures of the Government produced
j Former condition of the cOuntr
). When General Jackson went out
t. Office, in his farewell address to the Peep
: of the United States, he used these en-
e pha;ic' expressions: cat the monet when
If surrender my last public trust leave til
If great people prosperous and happy" ar
% eff you are true to your selves nothing ca
@ impede your march to the highest poi
IF of national prosperity" To satisfy yo
Is as to what was Gen. Jackson's opinic
re of the condition of this country upon b
l. entering into the presidency, and durir
10 the two terms of his administration ! ha'
Of only to refer you to his annual messages
at Congress in which he invariably congra
Il, ulates the nation upon its high and envi
Sc bic state of prosperity. Yes, M
I'd Chairman, the rapid and unprecedentt
as growth of this republic is an anomaly
It. the history of nations and to follow it in
I. rapid progress, fiction would be unable
lie keep pace with truth. 1t did not pa
he through the slow gradations by whi'
u national importance is usually attained, b
at inspired by the spirit of its free constitute
ef and supported by the force. of its wi
n. institutions this gantess leaped from b
d:l cradle and assumed at once among i
he nations Of the earth a prominent static
re A few years back, and her happy a
re prosperous condition, her free and glo
of Gus institutions, her bright and dazzl
ST. prospects, her noble and elevated chara
on ter, were the subjects of 'congratulation
ial home, and of wonder and admlratl
OF abroad. The hand of industry was re-
Sc, idly converting the vast forests of
I'll west into fields of incalculable veal
ar. thriving villages were springing up oN
nd spots where the Indian had but lat
old held his council and danced lis war dam
all your flag was seen floating in eve
an breeze, your plantations and manufactor