Litchfield enquirer., 1840-07-30
SKETCH OF MIR. wIsE's REMARKS,


 The Hon. Henry A. Wise was introduced l to the meeting. The appearance of the fear less and talented Virginian, was hailed with every demonstration of delight, and he was often interrupted by the repeated and joyous acclamations of the people. His remarks extended to great length. He spoke long of the abuses and corruptions ot the present Administration-its destructive measures and policy. He completely annihilated the claim set up by the lOcofOcos to democracy, and clearly identified them with the Feder- alists of '9S, and the monarchists of Europe. He shows most conclusively that the meas ures and policy of the administration tend directly to democratic despotism. For, said the simplest upon earth-the government of one man. He then spoke of MT. Van Buren. At the north, said he, he is represented as an abolitionist, at the south as northern man with southern principles. But extend the hand of fellowship to alto the north as well as the south. The people of this land, said he, have, in the language of q distin- guished Senator, but "one country-one constitution-one destiny" They are bound together too strongly to ever know a separa- tion, and the man who agitates a measure which would lead to it, deserves the ven- geance of Heaven. Mir. w. then spoke of himself; he said he had long been stand ing mark for Blair, Tom Rtchie and Is,,ac Hill to level their envenomed shafts of nlal- ice at. And why was it! Twill tell you. It is because have for seven long years-for the term of an English apprenticeship, been engaged in an untring and intending war against this corrupt administration. have never for moment relaxed my efforts I have never for moment given up, although l sometimes began 10 despair. The moment l struck the administration one blow fol- lowed il up with another, and another, and repeated it again and again. But with what success? Why, sir, it was like trying to capture the fortress of Gibraltar with a pocket pistol! The administration have stronger fortress than that of Gibralter.- With the whole Power and Patronage of the Executive, backed by the Treasure of the nation itself it is next to impossible, as long as the people remain in prosperity, to over throw an administration aiming at absolute power. The people cannot be aroused to sense of their danger. Like a lazy man who lays upon one side all the time, though you tell him that he'd better turn over or his bones will ache by-and-by; but he remains quiet until he begins to feel that he must ch0nge-must turn over. l am afraid it is too much so with us. As long as we contin- ue prosperous we leave our rulers tO them- selves, we do not examine their measures as we ought, nor scent the approach of tyranny in the tainted breeze. We fold up our arms and say all is we'll. But when we begin to feel the effect of the destructive policy of the administration, then we begin to look about us, and examine their acts and neas- ures. When our pockets are in danger, then we begin 10 scan the political horizon-fnd not until then do we begin to act This f,s,s St,t look at principles enough as long as our monied interests remain the same. But thank God. the day is at hand for the con- summation of which have laborcd so long Gen. William Henry Iarrson-the asso- ciate of Jefferson and Madison, the soldier, the statesman and the patriot, will lead us on 10 victory. Our opponents cndeavor to draw nS off from the real issue before the peo. pie to defend Gen. Harrison, whom they as sail with the foulest calumny, and the bitter est malignity. But you don't catch me such fool as to reply to them. Gen. Harrison's character will take care of itself, my busi- ness is with Mr. Van Buren and his meas ures. No, sir, am not fool enough to act in the field. But the darkness with which we have been SO long enveloped is now breaking away-is dispclling before the brightness of the morning sun. Did any of you ever travel, alone, in dark, a dreary, a stormy night, and you lose. your way, you are benumbed with cold and exhausted with fatigue, and drenched by the pitiless storm, and ready 10 sink down-to take the saddle from your horse-place it under your head and lie down and die; you catch glimpse ot light-a light upon the mountan- side light proceeding from the window of a Log Cd6in! You make one effort more and you reach that blessed Log Cabin, and what do you find? An honest, hospitablc, hard listed tenant, who, if you happen to be ten der-handed boy, as have been, will take the saddle iron your horse-give him some pro- Vender and put him in the stable, while his good wife fries you some bacon, while you are warming your benumbed limbs before the huge blazing backlog. And then when you have concluded your repas:, the good woman makes up warm comfortable bed for you, and bids you good night. Why, there's comfort in the very thought Ifvou have ever been thus, then you can form slight idea of fmy feelings, after wandering so long, weary, chilled and despairing, when first caught sight of the Log Cabin light, g'eamlng upon the banks of the Ohio. But you never can experience the feelings that filled my bosom--ihe buoyancy, the eIastici- ty, the ecstacy with which first viewed thus beacon sign of deliverance. And we now adopt as our motto. an epithet applied to our candidate by our opponents-an epithet in- tended to convey their feelings of disgust and contempt for those of our frllow-citizens who may live in Log Cabin and drink hard cider. We are the Log Cabin and hard cider party-they are the Marble Pal ace and champaign drinking party. We did not choose Gen. Harrison as our candidate because he lived in Log Cabin; the Log