The Illinois free trader., 1840-07-03

| he result has Dctii juSuce has Deen
withheld.
! | have said that the soldiers under
Wayne experienced greater hardships
even than the soldiers of the revolution.
This is so. Every one can appreciate
the difference between an Indian and a
regular war. When wounded in battle,
the soldier must have warmth and shelter
before he can recover. This could always
be secured by the soldier of the revolu-
ton. In those days, the latch string Of
no door was pulled in. When wounded,
he was sure to find shelter and very many
of those comforts which are so essential
to the sick, but which the soldier in an
Indian war cannot procure. Instead of
shelter and warmth, he is exposed to the
thousand ills incident to Indian warfare.
Yet no relief was extended to those who
had thus suffered
After the war closed under Wayne, |
retired; and when | saw man poorer
lhan all others, wandering about the land,
decrepit and decayed by intcmperanee, it
was unnecessary to inquire wether he
had ever belonged to Wayne's army.
His condition was sufficient guaranty of
that-was a sufficient assurance that he
had wasted his energies among the un-
wholesome swamps of the west, in the
defence of the rights of his fellow citizens,
and for the maintenance of the honor and
glory of his country.
Well, fellow citizens, can only say,
that if it should ever be in my power TO
pay the debt which is due these brave but
neglected men, that debt shall first of all
be paid. And | am very well satisfied
that the government can afford it, propid-
ed the lotch-string cfhe Treasury shalt
eyer be more carefully pulled in. Per-
haps you will ask me for some proof of
my friendship for old soldiers. If so, |
can give it you from the records of con-
grcss. When the fifteen hundred dollar
law was repealed, opposed it, as op-
|posed changing the pay of members of
congress from six to eight dollars, until
we had done justice to, and provided for,
these soldiers. You will find my votes
upon this question, among the records of
congress, and my speech upon it, in the
published debates of the time.
l will now, fellow citizens, give you
my reasons for having refused to give
pledges and opinions more freely than
have done since my nomination to the
presidency. Many of the statements
published upon this subject are by no
, means correct; but it is true that ii is my
opinion that no pledge should be made by
an individual when in nomination for any
office in the gift of the people. And
why Once adopt it, and the battle will
no longer be to the strong - to the vir-
mous-or to the lover of his country ;
but to him who is prepared to tell the
greatest number OF lies, and to proner the
largest number of pledges which he never
intends to carry out. suppose that the
best guaranty which an American citizen
could have of the correctness of the con-
duct of an individual in the future, would
be his conduct in the past, when he had
no temptation before him to practice de-
ceit.
? Now, fellow citizens, have not alto.
gether grown gray under the helmet OF
my country, although have worn it lol
some time. A large portion of my life
has been passed in the civil departments
Of government. Examine my conduct
, there, and the most tenacious democrat
use the word in It's proper sense;
mean not to confine il 10 parties, for there
3 are good in both---may, doubtless. dis
cover faults, but he will find no single ac
: calculated to derogate from the rights o
D the people.
/ However, to prove the reverse Of this
t have been called federalist. Hero
: was loud cry Of "The charge is lie
) a base lie. You are no federalist."
+, Well, what is fed ,ralist recollec
t what the word formerly signifed, ant
: there are many Others present who recol
r loct its proper signiication also. The,
: know that the federal party We're accuse'
e of a design to strengthen the hands of tn,
J.. general government at the expense of tn
# separate states. That accusation coul,
y not nor cannot apply to me. / wa
!. brought up after the striciest manner Q
# Virginian anti-iederalism. ST. Paul him
e self was not greater devotee TO the doc,
G rines of the Pharisees, than was I, b,
e inclination and fathers preceps and eS
q an rnle To- anti -fnhe rnlisn [ rns tnnnh