The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-04-14
EXTRACT FROM THE SPEECH OF
Mr.. w. C. JOHNSON, OF MARYLAND,
On his motion 10 ercial clifton Petitions

remarks which have been e1tnded TO great length by
importance OF the question and kjnff ndugent ailen-
ton this House but duty and of justice forces
me aIlude few remarks which have fallen from mem
bers Of the Administration who participated in this de-
bate Party politics OF the day he contended Should never
be connected with this delicate subject But II gentlemen
will force discussion Of persons and their OPINIONS ho "
debate they expect that they will be examined anu an
swcred.
Ii is fackcurous Of note that every member OF 'he Au
mnis,raton who has spoken in this discussion mas attempt
ed TO give political aspec-esery member has charged
Con Harrison either directly Indirectly with being either
an aboltons or strongly favonng the views OF the abol
,onss and all of them have been lavish in euiogizng
Mr. Van Buren, the great champion OF Southern rights
Southern institutions and Southern principles consider
then Thai am but the line of my duty when give few
passing observations 10 what has been said.
One gentleman declares that Mr. Clay not nominated
by the Harrisburg Convention because he was slasehod
err and orthodox on the question OF slavery Another
procams that Gen Harrison selected by the influence
Of the abotionists of that Convention.
The gentleman from North Carolina MIR. BYNuM) has
lately discovered that Mr. Clay is genuine democrat and
that the delegation Of I,enucky sound democratic and
trustworthy the slave question Mr. Clay VIII appfe
cate the compliment for what is worth. For II there Is
one man in America who understands better than another
only the motives of men, but all the secret and occult
springs of human action that man is Henry Clay. Had
Mr. Clay been nominated, the gentleman, opine, would
have called him aboitlonist and iederas But since
Mr. Clay is sound this vital question as gentlemen
properly regard it, and his colleagues in Congress IN both
Houses and their constituents and he and they advocate
Gen Harrsons election and their democratic State has
once gone for him. and will do again should not the
weight Of the genemans own authority induce him and all
who think with him 10 keep IN company with TINS excellent
democratic community by advocating likewise, Gen. Harri-
son for the Presidency Kentacky border holding
State and her People intelligent and democratic, and
know their interest very WELL and know Gen HARRISON
and his sentiments for he near nsgheo on inc noder
of Ohio. Aud il Kentucky, 50 greatly interested IN TINS
question: will support him, North Carolina removed from
the point danger safely follow the example OF Kentucky
Another gentleman after dscoursing the subject OF
ohot,tn Ike IT..
not nominated by the Harrisburg Convenonl will an.
swer question: if will give gentlemen satisfaction to
hear the The Harrisburg Convention assembled not
for the purpose OF nominating any particular gentleman put
to bring forward suitable candidate whoever he might be-
who could defeat most easily Martin Van Buren, They DIS
covered, upon consultations that with Mr. Clay IN the held,
they would have fight hard 10 be successful The Con-
venton composed gentlemen from the to the ccum
ference OF the Unon knew that HarIsons popularity
fresh and vigorous that he potential every position
from Harrisburg the periphery ofthe Union that by nomi-
mating him, the North the South the East and the West
would zeaously upon him; and that by single bold
charge after the of Napoleon himself in the last
war upon enemys centre they would break their ranks
and scatter their wings and route them horse foot and dra
poons every where and therefore wisely resolved make
sure business of ask these honorable gentlemen if they
would desire better for the nomination of Gen Hdr
rison And hope will be quite satisfactory to them, as
will surely be TO the People
The gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. BYNuM) was
abong for three days with the auncts which have be-
fore alluded TO- make Gen. Harrison rank abotonist.
Did he succeed He succeeded about well the brave
little urchn who attempted kick down the NOON who
IL.
gentleman his astonishment his back and the sill
very orb still shining proudly ao in the ceruean laugh
The vest traducers Of Gen. Hasoni who have respect
full regard for sincerity do not charge him with being either
aboionist fvong their agitation hold in my hand
the Charleston Courier winch editor states that Harrisons
views on the question are all that the South could who
comes frankly, ike honorable and honest editor and
declares that he had done Harrison injustice and cheerUly
publishes his able speech, delivered at Vincennes
What can be sounder argumentative more states
manlke more patriotic Than his published opinions in his
speech at Vincennes2 How will Mr.. Van Burens views
compare with theml Mr. Van Buren, has avowed in his let
committee of gentlemen of North Carolina that Con-
gres has the power abolish slavery in the District OF Co
umba Is such the Southern docrne II such the views
of gentlemen OF the South stand aloof from them. But
,hey on.~er should pass bill to abolish
slavery Mr. Van Buren, pledged toput his veto upon IT, Is
the South TO be entapped by such deusve security What
would veto be worth in such contingency Nothing.
The majority told in this House and the other would
alarm the South to dissolution your Union in despite of the
veto, would not last moment. But, did Mr.. Van Buren,
believe that during his administration there was likely to be
majority either Housed Was any sensible half dcuded
IN the South of such opinion Mr.. Van Burnn
ayowed clap trap catch the deuded II throwing
sop Cerberus But let progress the analogy rather
want of similarity in their conduct and sentiments Mr. Van
Buren, voted Instructions when member of the Senate Of
New York the Senators and Representatives in Congress-
against the admission of Missouri Into the Union.
Has that ngratiated him with the South What did
General Harrison do Although member of Congress from
free State he voted with the South for the admission of
Missouri and made patriotic sacrifice of himself for the
South and tor the Union Will the South reward him
with ingratiude and denunciation z
Mr. Van Buren, voted in the New York Convenoni in ia
Of the right and by his influence secured the of
the for free vote in that State Are such
the of the South, and has that vote made the South
revere him Northern man with Southern principles
have in Ontario county, New York during election
when of the blacklist negroes in America black
dotted cap dropped smiling cuesy to the Vice
President the United States led the polls by
three of the followers OF Mr. Van Burcn and he voted their
ticket
will charge Mr.. Van Buren, with being abolition
h But will that he is just the kind of man who has
the ability and the will shape bis course and to spread
his net, take the majority of them TO himself 1t
becomes his policy concate them And here will
ture prediction, that Col r. NJ. Johnson who said in
the debate the Missouri Question, February 1920 that
In the District OF Columbia, containing population Of
900 souls and probably many slaves the whole OF
Missouri the of providing for their emancipation
with Congress alone will not be in the South where
the views Of Governor Tyler well known For the
latter stands upon the high patriotic and democratic ground
Of defending the right OF property from all unlawful and
unconstitutional seizure interference. Whilst the former
will be run in all the Northern and Middle States in order
the abolition, and that kindred and class of
y0eTs.t
With such opinions of Mr. Van Buren, as have alluded
of the designing politicians of the South have ust
ed themselves home for sustaining him against the inter-
@ OF the South because they call him Northern with
Southern principles Is bis sub Treasury scheme
10 accordance with Southern principles which is destined
hoa all the specie in the nation in the hands of the Office
oiersl Is his Treasury Bank that measure of Executive
onsodaon and Treasury note paper OF Solth
n admiration Is his merahie deran of the curren.
measure favorable the South which has reduced the
and If nd ALL n