The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1841-01-21


were reasons furnished by his past course
which operated 90 cur minds. A friend oi
the Senator once remarked in my hearing,
that he had never acted with any party
Some individuals possibly may be too up-
night, others are too selfish and calculating
TO make much exer.ion for any party
What il vas that caused the gentleman TO
take The course be bas usually done. II IS
not my purpose ~ ipquiie. When FIRST
observed his political movements he was
member oil Congress. lie had been elect.
ed as, end was considered supporter OF
Gen. JarksOn's administration, but bis
speeches were chiefly admired BY the op.
position. He seemed principally 10 take
delight 10 praising the Northern States,
their manufactures, institutions generally,
aud their men. lie defended on one coca.
sion, If ! remember Alright. John Quincy
Adams, but during all the time be was
there, / never heard Of bis defending Geo.
jackson, or any Of bis measures, though
both we're assaIled quite as often as his pre-
decessor 10 the Presidential chair. lie
was afterwards understood 10 be opposed TO
the administration; but for several wears,
lis course, though tor aught know consis.
tent With Itself, was a singular oue as re-
specLed The two great parties which divided
the country. Ii not a fence man precisely
as sc understand the term, he always seem.
ed SO near IT, as TO be able to leap IL. Il
was often difficult for rs TO know how he
stood, for he mingled with our opponents
occasionally. Not however as Homer de-
scrlbes Dlomedes, who 10 the ihickest Of
the fight penetrated 80 fer into the adverse
racks, that his plumes were tangled with
those Of bis enemies, and the spectator
know not on which side 10 rank him. On
occasions Of this sort the Senator showed
no anxiety TO take the from. Of The column.
Bot he appeared to minglo in friendly
manner with our opponents CD some CUES.
lions. We had beard also that his constit.
uehts entertained not long since, strong
doubts with respec; to his position. For a
great while after the nomination Of Gen.
Harrison, be was opposed 10 him. | am
aware sir, that many Wings did not de.
clare for our candidate immediately, but
after week or Two spent 10 examining hrs
former course and his political principles,
they did not hesitate TO sustain hi-h with
the utmost zeal. -Four months after his
nominations, the gentleman 10 whom | am
/ replying refused to 90 with him. His con.
sttuents then prepared to nominate some
one else as the Harrison candidate for the
Senate. Just al this time, the gentleman's
Vows underwent some change, and he re-
quesed ure Of bis friends 10 write TO him
letter Of inquiry as 10 his political opinions,
II was done according y, and he replied that
he would 20 for Harrison as choice Of
evils" From that time forward under
stand he made very jealous professions Of
WhigIsm, and succeeded in satisfying his
constituents who elected him again. He
now tells Us tina, " be attaches very little
weight 10 promises made on the eve Of an
election" and as il seems 10 me, be is now
affovding an illustration Of the truth of bis
observation.
But, Mr.. Speaker, be was willing TO 60
for Gen. Harrison as a chulee Of evils"
Then, Sir, he would not have answered our
purpose. Ii We had elected bun TO the Sen.
ate, inasmuch as he regards Harrison as
an fri|, he would have been bound 10 op.
pose bis administration. 1t would have af.
tordcd Us no sort Of comfort to be told while
the gentleman was dong this that if Mar
tin Van Buren, were in the place, he would
oppose him with still more vehemeuce.-
No body expects Mr.. Van Buren, to be his
opponent, aud the Senator would no doubt
have been able TO find some third person in
the United States who is not quite as great
an evil as Harrison, and whom no would
therefore have supported IN bis stead. 10
ill seat in the Senate, we wished to have
an individual, who though he might not be
wiling to support measure which he DIS
approved, uoiheFtheless did not think Gen.
Harrison decidedly bad. Who on the con.
trary, regarded him as good man, and
freud of bis country; who approved the
principles which are bringing him into pow
err, and who would grye him cordial and
energetic support while he stood by those
principles. The gentleman from Perqul.
mons and Pasquotank would not therefore
have satisfied our wants in this matter. He
did not appear 10 be entirely with Us; no
was not sufficiently decided, energetic and
thoroughgoing. Icannot, Mr.. Speaker, bet
ter illustrate my view of him, than by relat-
ing story, for which am Indebted TO
friend from Rowan, in the other house.
| Just before the battle of Guiford, when both
armies were very near each other, coun-
trvman in the vicinity found himself over.
taken by darkness as be was returning
home. EIe was very apprehensive that he
might be captured, and felt the more alarm,
lest in such contingency, the darkness
should prevent his ascertainlng into whose
hands he had fallen. As he anticipated, he
was hailed, and in moment after, surround.
ed BY bayouets. "Who are you was the
! frs, question propounded. He hesitated, in
tie hope of gaining time to ascertain the
character Of his captors, but at length gave
his name slowly. Which side are you
for i--are YOU Wing or Tory = Well,
thar, IS ,,,us, toll the truth, | did Mt want