Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-02-08
THE CHARGE OF FOREIGN INFLUENCE
REPELLED!
From the debate in The u s. Senate, Jan. 10, 1911.
REMARKS OF MR. CRITTENDEN

concluding remarks, made very extraordinary
assertion indeed. Abiding to the lste Presidcn-
Ga election and the influence of foreis ners in this
country, he Inscribed the change in the Executive
administration of thus government to the bankers
and stock obbers in England and in this country.
Can this be possible? Sure am that, if such an
influence does exist, it has not reached the part OF
the country where reside; nor can il have oper
ated where the honorable Senator himself lives,
rs the vote of his stare for Martin Van Buren, con-
clusively proves. 1t is not at that end of the Un-
ion, then and am sure it is not in the centre
where, then, is this dangerous and irresistible in
fluenco which has revoIutionized our whole par
~ history? Where ask has it been nj work
Here are collected representatives ofevery portion
ofthe entire Union /; 10 each Senator put the qnes-
tion, Was it your State whose vote lus been con
'roed by the trlcking, sockjoblng capitalists Of
Europe? Which of the Snies is it that lies under
this foul stigma: Or is it branded On the fore.
head Of the whole American People Is this en-
tire Republic to he considered as Justly charged
with this dshonorl? Is it true that the TWO Or
three millions Of voters who constitute that ina
jorlty whose votes have brought in II new Admin
istration have been influenced, swayed, bought up
with FOREIGN MONEY ?--the meanest aud bascst
of all influences. Where is the evidence that fix.
es blot like this to the American name !? For
myself and my constituents, for the noble and be.
loved State, L represent in part on this floor,
put the charge far from me. If there has been
such an influence ut work, 1t has not been n
mong us. Not one man of the twenty six thou
sand majority of votes cast in Kentucky foi
Gen. Harrison has acted, as ! in my soul believe,
from any such base, unworthy degrading in1u-
ence. 10th | am TO believe that any free born
American citizen has acted so unworthily Of his
name and his birthright. Aud again ask, where
is the proof of it ? Does the Senator believe that
proof 10 be found in correspondence between
an agent in the State of Missouri and some fnan-
ciering gentleman in England?
Mr.. Benton, across, "A Director of the Bank of
England.
Well Director ofthe Bank of England, with
respect to the sale of n portion of Missouri stock
Is that what the Senator relies on? The agent
here writes TO his correspondent in England rs 10
the influence likely be cxerted by public events
in this country on the price of American stocks
is there any thing SO wonderful any thing SO
monstrous," so courageous" in this Can amy
thing be more natural, more in course, than such
correspondence on such a subject? Suppose,
instead of speaking ofthe price of stocks, he had
been writing about the probable price of cotton,
might he not have referred to probable change
in our financial system ms likely to affect That arti-
Gle of trade? Does not every body know that
the very slightest change in public affairs has an
effect on the commercial world, and Immediately
affects the state of prices in the market? And
why should not this be mentioned in regard to
stocks as well rs any thing else for snle in the
market !? That IS all the proof have heard in
support of this mighty charge about British stock
jobbing influence in American elections.
Mr. Benton across-"Not the TENTH not the
hnndredth part of the proof"
No. ! will tell the honorable Senator what has
produced this astounding political change. The
gentleman shall not escape from the argument
from fact so notorious 1t would indeed he but
melancholy consolation to the gentleman and
his friends to ascrbe their defeat to the dishonor
of their native country. Were in their situation
sooner than cast a stigma like this on the land OF
my nativity, and on so large, vast majority OF
my countrynen, would admit that my party had
mismanaged public affairs; or that at least the
people thought they had or, somehow or other
they had lost the public confidence. Ntver new
err, since the foundation of the government, did SO
many American freemen cast their votes with one
special and specific understanding as to the
grounds Of their united action. That is my opin
ion The result of the late election is not the eff
feet of British gold but the sense ofthe American
People, MS 10 the management Of Their public affairs
publicly and palbably expressed. Let not gentle
men attempt to get out of the position in which
the election has laced them, by stigmaizng the
people of the United States with corruption. No.
no, This expression of public opinion comes
from The old genuine republican stock who set u
the Government it is spark from the oil revo
lntionary flint, and it has blown the gentlemen
sky high. Let them not now that they have
reached the ground and are rubbing their bruised
and broken limbs, Try TO disguise from themselves
the truth as to what hurt them Strange indeed
would it be could the magic wand oil British gold
be applied to produce such result. All the nat
ural causes on thai subject seem to point the olel
way. We might expect that Kings and Presi-
dents who try to be and TO live like Kings, feel
NATURAL sympathy with each other. They do no
seek to put down the throne 10 raise the cottage
II the truth could be come at in the matter, veri
ly believe that there was more foreign sympaih,
with the reigning President than with his plain
humble, republican opponent. There is not I
State, no, nor county, through this wide Union
that was swayed in its late vote by any inhuenr,
from The London Exchange. gentleman are snd
ly puzzled to account for the result. Some say
"Oh, it was all the work OF British gold - o her
say, " Ii was nothing but the senseless cry abou
log cabins and hard cider" All sorts of device
are used TO disguise fact so appalling. Some sa
it was all the effect of coon skins. A laugh.
And one very distinguished intellectual, argumen
tatiye Senator assured us, that il the principles O
the wing party were TO be carried out, they wou
lead only to this we should pull down this nagni
ficent Capitol, the proud hall Of Americaa lrgisu
ton, and build in lis place a log-cabln hung roun
with coon-skins! Laughter. But the gentle
men do motor VIII Northumberland what the
see. 1t is no cry about log cabins or hard eide
that has thus moved, as one man, almost the Who'll
American People. 1t was something greater
higher, deeper know that the election Of VIII
liam Henry Harrison is 10 the politicians STUN
bling block, and to the Van Buren, men foolish
Mss but to any unbiased, candid, intelligent oil
server, it mnst appear to be the wisdom and tn
power of great people. | can tell the gentle
men that il is moi SO very polite to sneer a
log-cabins They are the emblem, the visibl
type, of the power of the People Long will
continue to be dear TO them as a remembrance
OF the fact that they were able, Ivy the peacelu
nat OF their will, TO take the man they loved fror
log cabin, and set him in the palace of their dc
mInion. 1t is the practical, visible, tangible sym
Dol OF their power-whch may God preserve
Think you to win their favor by treating il wit
scorn and dersion? You forced it on us by you
'aunts; you laughed at our candidate as the in
mate Of log cabin; and you have seen, and yo
now ieel' the effect Of your own wit; and il | al
NOT very much mistaken, You will never nee