Southern shield., 1840-09-18

trys foes We'll; what is his reward!- After having spent the flower of his youth and the vigor of his manly prime in the service of his country as soldier, he was called by the American people to serve them in a civil capacity. He obeyed the call with thankfulness of heart But he has been cruelty driven out of the service by the Administrations why? Because, felow-citizens, he was the friend of the commanion of his youth-because he would not forsake a fellow solder-because he was my incorruptible friend--and because the emoluments of his office were wanted to reward the partizan services of sup porter of my political competitor. "Ah, there's the rub" But you, my friends. 1 am confident, will not long permit such wrong to the men who 'righted your wrongs in olden times.
 Fellow-citizens: you know that my op- ponents call me a federalist. But l deny the charge I am not never was fede- ralist. Federalsts are in favor of concen- tratng power in the hands of the executive, democrats are in favor of the retention of power by the people. I anl and ever have been, democratic republican My former practices will bear me out in what say When was Governor of Indiana Territo- ", was vested with despotic power; and had I chosen to exercise it, might have governed that people with rod of iron.- But being a child of the revolution, and bred to its principles, 1 believed in the right and the ability of the people to gov ern themselves; and they were always per mitted to enjoy that high privilege. l had the power to prorogue, adjourn aud dis solve the legislature to lay off new coun- ties and establish seats of justice; to ap- point sherifs and other officers. But never did 1 interpose my prerogative to defeat the wishes of majority of the people, The people chose their own officers, and invariably confirmed their choice; where they preferred to have their county seats there I located them; they made their own laws, and 1 ratified them. 4 nerer ret0ed c Ji1 in my lfe.
 But I have been denounced as a bank man We'll let it 90 1 am so far a bank man as believe every rational republican ought to be, and no farther. The constitu- ton of the United States makes 1t the duty of the Government 10 provide ways and means for the collection and disbursement of the public revenue If the people deem it necessary to the proper discharge of the functions of their government, to create national bank, properly guarded and regu- lated, 1 shall be the last man, if elected president, to set up my authority against that of these millions of American freemen. Ii is needful to have larger money circu- lation in land of liberty than in an em- pire of despotism. Destroy the poor mans credit and you destroy his capital The peasant Gifo s.!=-.rrCessanIIy a;..t-:.. his famishing household, in the hard money countries of Europe, rarely if ever becomes the noble lord who pastures his "fiocks up- on thousand hills" There are, necessa- rily difficulties connected with every form and system of government; but it should be the aim and object of the statesman to form the best institutions within his power to make for the good of his country.
 Felow-citizens, 1 cannot forbear to in- vite your attention to the concerns of your governmental the welfare of which, all good citizens feel a deep interest. l warn you to watch your rulers. Remember External vigilance is the price of liberty" When 1 look around upon the dangers which seem to be suspended as by hair, over this people, 1 tremble for the safety of this republic In an evil hour has the Chief Magistrate of this nation been trans formed into monarch and despot at pleasure! To show that this is the case need but refer you to the philosophic and profound historian Gibbon, who says "The obvious definition of monarchy seems to be that of state, in which a single person. by whatsoever name he may be distinguish ed, is entrusted with the execution of the laws, the management of the revenue and the command of the army Is not Martin Van Buren entrusted with these functions? Most assuredy, he is. Call him by what soever name or title you choose-Presi- dent, Executive, Chief Magistrate, Consul, | King, Stadtholder-it does not alter the na- ture of his power; that remains the same unchanged; and the President therefore pos sesses all the functions necessary to con- stitute a monarch. You have often heard the "moneyed influence of the country" de- nounced. while 1t yet remained in the hands of the people, as dangerous to public iber- | ty. Have you, then, no apprehension-no fear of moneyed influence, equal to that of half the nation, concentrated in the hands of single individual at the same time pos sessing two other of the most potent pow CTS that belong to our government The great Julius Cesar-the conquering Julius has said, "Give me soldiers, and 1 will get money; give me money, and ] will get soldiers" The public purse is already con fded to the hands of the President; re- spectable army is also under his control; and it is in contemplation by the Adminis- tration, to add to the present military force of the United States an army of 100000