Madison Whig advocate., 1840-05-09

had become the struggle between the
siaye-holdinc and non slave-holdlng
states. the south was undone. Some
ssuorthe,-u man acith southern principles
must now be found. That man was
WILLIAM Henry HARRISON. He boldly
stepped forward to our assistance, and
was the only member from the north
western non slave-holding states, who
voted for the unrestricted admission OF
Missouri. He stood firmly by the south
and so iuce. sed were his non slave hold
ing constituents, that they defeated his
election in the next canvass, IN conse-
quence of his vote.
But how stands the matter with Mr.
Van Buren? Did he then show himself
the friend of the south? Did he then
prove himself TO be northern man
with southern principles" an aPPellation
so unjustly applied 10 him? On the con-
trary. he used all his powers against US.
He voted to instruct the senator's, and re-
quest the representatives in congress,
from New York, to oppose the admis-
sion of Missouri, or any other terrific
ry in The Union, as slave-holding state.
From that time up to 1886, we knew moth
ing of his course; and at that time, with
the lights'' before him, he did not know
whether congress could not abolish sla-
very in the District of Columbia!
On the two subjects | have mentioned,
can any one doubt which of the two can
didates for the Presidency, has exercls-
ed most patriotism? Which is most ac-
ceptabe TO the people of the south?-
hg1.h n to ha aH P-
publican party ?-None.
But one more subject. The gradua-
ton Of the price of public lands, and the
distribution of the proceeds of the sales,
seem 10 engross much of public attention
at this time; and it may not be out of
place here, TO look into the course of the
two candidates on these measures. Gen.
Harrison, in his letter to the Hon. Sher-
rod Williams, says: "Whilst | have al
ways broadly admitted that the public
lands were the common property OF all
The states, have been the advocate of
that mode of disposing of them which
would create the greatest number of free
holders; and conceive that in this way
the interests of all would be as well Sc
cured, as by any other disposition; but
since, by the small size of the tracts in
which the lands are laid out, and the re-
duction of the price, this desirable situ-
alton is easily atfainable by any person
of tolerable industry. | am perfectly
reconciled to the distribution of the pro-
ceeds of the sales as provided for by the
bill introduced into the Senate by Mr..
Clay" Here are his opinions, recently
They are sound, liberal and
ust. But, Mr.. Van Buren's friends say,
ne too is sound on the land question. He
s too late to precede Harrison on that
subject. They were both in the Senate
n 1923, and let the records speak for
hem: .'On motion of Mr. Benton. the
bill to graduate the price of public lands
vas taken up"-"Mr. Van Buren, address
I'd The senate at great length in opposition
o the bill, and in reply to the various ar
5uments which had been urged in sup
'ort of the bill and its various modifica-
ions."-CFhe Register of Debate, VOL 4,
,art first, page 674.) Thus you see, that
his graduation question, the present hob
by of the Van Buren, party in the west,
le no longer ago than 1923, spoke against
t, voted against it, and used all his ener-
,ies 10 defeat the measure-and succeed |
ID in doing so. But in this, as in the |
wo instances before given. Mr.. Van Bu
en- faced about when the measure be-
:ame popular, recommends il TO congress,
lrges its adoption, and his friends would |
rave US believe he is the only safe man |
IN this subject!
But this is not the proper time or place |
or this discussion. My only object in
he commencement, was to signify my
for the use of my name.
The injury resulting to my own affairs,
rom the neglect of business, consequent
IN the recent political career through |
which have passed, can only be re-
'aired by close application on my own
'art now. If it is expected that the can
iicates on the electoral ticket should |
the state, must state that it will |
'e out of my power to do 50. | make |
his suggestion, because | see that course |
5 adopt by the candidates in some Of our |
lister states. If it becomes necessary,
shall willingly discuss the merits of the |
andidates for the presidency, in the sew
n or eight counties, in which practice |
Fhis | would cheerfully do whether on |
he ticket or not. And if the committee |
hould think it more advantageous to The
,ood cause TO have more active person
n my stead, it would be satisfactory to
ne that another should be substituted.-I
will give my aid in any situation.
Please accept for yourselves personal
y, gentlemen, and those whom you rep-I
esent, my Acknowledgements, and be-
ieve me your obedient servant.
T. J. WORD.
% Messrs. Alex. K. McClung, VIM. Yer
ger, Robert Hughes, ]. j. Allen, and
John b Peyton, committee.