The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1840-06-11
w. &. JOIInsOR's Speech.
EXTRACT


Petitions.
! would here (said Mr.. JonNsoN) mos
gladly conclude my remarks, which have
been extended 70 great length by the i'm.
poriance Of the question and the kind ana
intelligent attention Of this House, but q
sense OF duty aud Of j1siice forces me 10 al
ludc to a few remarks which have fallen
ron members Of the Administration who
have participated in this debate, Party
politics Of the day, he couieuded, shouC
never be connected with this delicate sub
ject. Bot II gentlemen will force a discus
sion Of persons and their opinions into the
debate, they must expect that Ihcy will be
examined aud answered.
1t is a fact curious Of note, that every
member OF the Administration who has spo,
ken 10 this discussion has attempted 10 give
It a political aspect every member has
charged Gen. Harrison, either directly or
indirectly, with being either an aboluonist
or strongly lavQrlng the views OF the aLoli.
/ tionists aud al. Of them have been lavish
+ in eulogizing Mr., Van Buren, as the great
4 champion oil Southern rights, Southern in
stltutons, and Southern principles. | con
slider, then, that | am but in the liue Of my
duty when give lew passing observations
TO wha, has been said.
4 One genlieinqn declares tina, Mr., Clay
was no, nominated by the Harrisburg Con.
yeulion, because be vas slave holder, aud
was orthodox on the question Of Slavery
Another procla.ms thai Gen. Harrison was
selected b. the inlucsce Of the a5ollllonisis
Of that Convention.
The gentleman from North Carolina
(Mr. Byuum) has lately discovered tina, Mr..
(, Clay IS q genuine democrat, and thai the
delegation % Kentucky are sound, demo
cratic, aud trustworthy on the slave qucs.
ton. Mr.. Clay viii appreciate the com
phmcnt for what i, is worth. For if there
IS one man 10 America who understands
better than another not only the motives OF
men, but all tie secret aud occult springs
If human action, that tnau IS Henry Clay.
Had Mr.. Clay been nominated, the gentle
man, opne, would have called him an
ADDITIONS, and tederalist. But since Mr..
Clay is SO sound on this vital question as
gentlemen properly regard Il, and his col
leagues IN Congress in both Houses, and
their constituents, and be aud they advocate
Gen. llarrisous election, and as their dem
ocratic State has once gone for hun, aud
viii DO 50 again, should not the weight OF
the geuileman's own authority induce hun
and all who think with him 70 keep IN com.
pauy wiih this excellent democratic com.
munnv by advocating, likewise, Gen. liar.
rison for the Presidency? Kentucky is
border slave holding State, and her People
are intelligent aud democratic, and know
their own interest very we'll, and know Gen.
Harrison and his sentiments, for he il q.
near neighbor on the border Of Ohio. And
f Kentucky, so greatly interested in this
question will supper, him, Nurh Carolina,
50 removed from the point Of danger, cat
safely follow the example Of Kentucky.
Another gentleman, after djscoursng On
the subject IL abolition, asks with peculiar
emphasis, why was Mr., Clay not nomina,
ted by the Harrisburg Convention | will
answer Ina, question, If II will give gentle
men satisfaction TO hear the reason. The
Harrisburg Convention assembled not for
the purpose Of nominating any particular
gentleman, bu, 10 bring forward suitable
candidate, whoever he might be, who could
defeat most easily Martin Van Buren,
They discovered, upon consultation, that,
with Mr.. Clay IN the field, they would have
- J. 20 nm
yeullou, composed Of gentlemen from the
centre TO the circumference OF the Union,
knew that iIarrson's popularity was fresh
and vigorous that he was poIentlh ut ev'
cry position, from Harrisburg 10 the peri.
phery Of the Union that, by nominating
him, the North, the South, the East, and
the W est, would unite aealously upon him
and that, by a single bold charge, after the
manner of Napoleon, or himself N the last
war. upon the eucmv's centre, they would
break their ranks, aud scatter their wings
and route them, horse, foot and dragons,
every where, and therefore wisely resolved
10 make a sure business OF II. ask these
honorable gentlemen # they would desire Il
better reason for the nomination Of Gen.
Harrison! Aud hope i, will be quite sat
islactory to them, as it will surely be 10 the
People.
The gentleman from North Carolina
(Mr. Bynum) was lahoring for three days,
with the adjuncts which have before al
Iudel 10, TO make Gen. Harrison a raak
abollionist. Did he succeed ? He sue
cceded about as well as the brave little ur
chin who attempted 10 kick down tho moon,
who aimed at, bu, missed it. A laugh, /.
He found himself like the gentleman, TO
his own as,onishment, on his back, and the
silyery orb still shining proudly aloIt in she
cerulean. laugh.
The vllest traducers of Gen. Harrison,
who have respectful regard for sincerity,
do not charge him with being either an
abolitoulst, or favoring their agitation. |
hold now in my hand the Charleston Cou
rier, which editor states that Harrison's
views on the question are all that the South
could desire who comes out frankly, like
an honorable and honest editor, and declares