The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1840-08-20

/ the too favorable regard and the kind DEM
constructions Of respect for me, of my fellow
citizens here present. My heart yields up
to you the homage of its deepest gratitude,
though my tongue expresses it not.
Fellow Citizens, you are all aware of
the position that l occupy before the Amer
lean People-being candidate of a portion
lof them for the Presidency ofthe U. States.
! 1t will doubtless be said by some that am
here for the purpose of electioneering for
myself-that have come to solicit your
votes; but believe me gentlemen, this is not
the case. | am present OIL this occasion
but as an Invited Guest of the citizens OF
Darke. 1t is my deliberate opinion and
sincere desire, that the bestowment of of.
flee should be the free act of the PEOPLE:
and have no wish to bias their Judgment
unustly in my favor. But notwithstand-
ing my wish and determination not to en-
gage as apolltician in the pending canvass
tor officers to administer the General Gov
eminent; although would have preferred
10 remain with my family in the peace and
quiet of our Log Cabin at the Bend, rath-
er than become engaged in political or
other disputes as the advocate of my own
rectitude OF conduct; yet from the contin-
ued torrent of calumny that has been pour
ed upon me-from the ISLANDERS, abuse and
obloquy which have been promulgated and
circulated TO my discredit, designed to as
perse and blacken my character--andf from
the false charges urged against me by the
Presses of this Administration, nv attend
ance at this celebration appeared to have
been made an act of necessity-a step
which was compelled 10 take for self-de-
fence. Chiefly for this purpose have
come among you; and trusting that YOU
will all perceive the propriety of this
course, it seems superhuous to add any
further reasons for its adoption.
Fellow Citizens, you have undoubtedly
seen it oftentimes stated in certain class
OF newspapers, that | am very decrepit
old man, obliged TO hobble abouton crutch-
es; that was Gagged 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
Num-. 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 it has been
said by some, that have no principles;
that | dare not avow any principles; and
that | am kept under the surveillance of a
COMMITTEE" All this is false-uncondi-
tlonally, VIGOROUSLY false. The charge of
my being III the keeping Of a committee,
is the only one that seems to merit a mo.
ments consideration, and that, barely to
indicate It's origin. For few months past,
almost every mail that has come to the
Post Offices at which receive my letters
and papers, has brought me greater or
less number of letters-all ofwhich have
opened and examined. Some of them have
proved abusive and contemplate, designed
especially to taunt and insult; and such
were OF course consi gned to the flames
But on the other hand, letters decorously
written, for the purpose of eliciting nfor-
nation, have been uniformly replied to, Ell
Their by myself personally, or by some one
acting under my authority and obeying my
lnstructlons--communicating nv opinions
and not his own. Is there any thing Grim
inal or improper in this mode of doing bu
slness? Surely, my friends, trow not.
Fellow Citizens, you know that nv
opponents call me Federalist. But I
deny the charge: l am mott ,aever ,cas
a Federaist. Federalists are in favor Of
concentrating power in the hands of the
Democrats are in favor of the
retention of power by the People. am,
and ever have been, a Democratic Repub-
lican. My former practices will bear
me out in what l say. When | was
Governor Of Indiana Territory, | was
vested with despotic power; and had l /
chosen to exercise it, might have gov
erned that people with rod of iron.
But being child of the Revolution,
and bread to its principles. believed
in the right and the ability of the people to
govern themselves; and they were always
PERMITTED to enjoy that high privilege. 1
had the power to prorogue, adjourn and
dissolve the Legislature; to lay off new
counties and establish seats of Justice; 10
appoint sheritfs and other officers. But ne
YER did | interpose my prerogative to de-
eat the wishes Of a majority Of the people.
IHe people chose there own officers. and
invariably confirmed their choice; where
hey preferred to have their county seats,
here located them; they made their own
avs, and ratified them. Ineuer voted
: bill in ney life.
But have been denounced as bank
nan. Well, let it 60. l am so far Bank
nan as | believe every rational Republic
IAN ought to be, and no farther. The Con-
'tltution of the United States makes it the
duty of the Government to provide ways
md means for the collection and disburse-
nent of the Public Revenue. If the PEG.
Die deem it necessary to the proper dis.
charge of the functions of their Govern
nent, to create National Bank, proper