The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-10-13
Fyvm ~ Bsss~ TsrUs
SPEECH
OF THE HONORABLE CALEB CUSHING

II
DELIVERED AT xEwsURyroaf, o,rosrs Z. lefx.
The meeting was called 10 order b, Cssriss "
Baich, Esq, who introduced Mr. crsmss 10 Us A1-
dience.
Mr.. CusmlSs then proceeded as follows
l appear before you Of this tune, ieio~-csi1e"s' !"
obedience to your call, and In compliance ~''h 'n'
desire for the purpose Of addressing s"o IN 70
aton TO the events Of the late session Of consress
and the existing condition Of the Federal Govern
ment. This call was subscribed by my constituents,
by gentlemen of both political parties and as ioos
around me now, see those Of all shades Of polca al
opinion rejoice that this Is am here 10 render
an account to my constituents not To address party
caucus to advance the purposes Of psriisans. !
wish to speak TO you as 10 my constituents. u has
been my anxious aim public man, and IN my 9TH
cal capacity to know my constituents only as such,
and TO act upon all the important questions Of
public policy with view TO the interest Of my con-
sttuency large and without too strict reference To
preconceived opinions.
come here as your Representative, TO speak the
truth plainly, TO discuss facts calmly ard deliberate
ly and to consider dispassionatey the conduct Of
public men anxious only for the welfare and pros
perty of common country
Gentemen--Let advert to the nature OF our in-
situations. They are, IN the first place. those Of a
Republican Government. In what respect do these
differ from the governments of the old worldi Where
is the distinctions Ours prescribed by written
form of Government-by the letter and scheme Of .
permanent Constitution-they are formed upon the
principle Of popular sovereignty the basis Of
Democracy, although exercised in Representative
form and by confederation of independent States.
10 nf hos
ed far successful than any other, this has
been account of its simplicity, but from its very
completely, ITS ingenious and varied combinations =
Above all the checks and balances with which it is
interviewer, constitute its primary excellence but
while they have thus tended to the perpeuiy and adj
vantage OF our Government, they have necessarily
gsndered variety Of public questions in regard 10
the nature of that Government and the consistency
and eXpediency OF measures adopted under IT, Ii Is
to consider such questions within the Constitution,
not to deliberate upon measures revolutionizlng
convention met 10 frame Constitution, but TO cons
der questions that have arisen under established
Constitution, that we are here assembled.
This Constitution has subssted for full half a
century, for two generations almost, unchanged in
substance, with bot amendment touching its mat
ter. say touching its matter, for though variety
of amendments IN form were adopted during the first
year Of its existence, they merely general pro-
positions decaraory of abstract right, sort Of sup
Elementary bill of rights, and in way affecting the
practical operations of Government After the cleo
ton of Thomas Jefferson amendment was intro
duced 10 modify the plan Of electng the President
and Vice President, and with this exception-and of
the wisdom Of this many wise men have doubted
the system remaihs unchanged
With this leading fact in view let me now ask YOU,
gentlemen, to cast your eyes b.ck the last fifty
years, TO compare the working OF the Federal Co
yernmcn, with that of any Government of civ lized
christendom and 10 bear witness with that OF all
the forms of Government that the civilized earth
knows has known, that adopted by the Fathers in
| 1889 is the bright and unequal exemplar Gentle
ment if YOU look around In Europe and other civil
lied lands YOU find in all of them, during this period
of nifty years sangunary civil wars and bloody in
surrectons not, as with US mere popular outbreaks
aud temporary riots beginning and ending IN words
or cases of individual violence for such and such
only have detaced our annals, whilst in them find
not only the boodes foreign wars, but the fiercest
revolutions and devastating civil conflicts in the heart
of their own territories. There is country in E-
rope which there have not been, during that per-
cd revolutions changes ending in capital executions
or the Punishment of individuals concerned in them
This is the picture of the state of the rest of the
world during this same period our country pre-
sents OF almost unmingled tranquil'ty peace
and order, under the successful and prosperous work.
ing oil It's Government.
Nevertheless, gentlemen, questions Of an exciting
nature will arise, parties Will of necessity grow up
the passions of VIII be aroused, and political re-
voutions, as they are called in parts language,
will now and then But what these re yol-
tons they fought out with the sword and at the
cannOn's mouth DO they, as in France, Spain Ger
many Russia and Eng nd, end IN the death or exile OF
the unsuccessful leaders; No, gentlemen, with US
they end simply in the change Of the individuals who
administer the Government; the institutions remain
touched unimpaired in beauty and integrity. To-
| day this man is President, tomorrow another holds
his seat to-day these members of Congress- to-
morrow others succeed them; these and these only
are the political revolutions OF the United States
| Gentlemen when you ponder upon these things
might call upon you to interrogate yourselves upon
your honor and your conscience, why is, that in this
fair this farest of lands, at this moment the whole
country agitated, by such fierce political passions
What the at the bottom Of all this What
| questions have produced such extreme commotion
Look around you In no other land do YOU find such
eminent political advantages where else are COM
bined the same material resources. Why, then, are
we not prosperous and happy Why are con-
! tent with our Government. Why do we undertake
disparaging comparisons Why do we quarrel with
| the Administrations
| Tbs is the question to be considered Go
| abroad into our land have we not in higher de-
gree than others fertile soil, teemng with the
most abundant harvest, more extended means of COM
muncatlon, more perfect internal improvements.
| above all have we not more Industrious enter
prising and intelligent popuation' have we not the
same bright sum- which now shines above u.s. to bless
our land, the same clear heaven to fcrtze it;-
| Why then quarrel with the government or the adj
mInIstralonl
| Gentlemen, in solving this question shall not go
back to examine the facts Of history to a more
distant per cd than this generation than The younger
men oil the pr sent generation can easily remember
ask you IN considering these facts to bear this re-
lection with you that 1t is b. man passions and hui
man interests My that have perverted these resources
and have rendered inefficient the elements of pros
perlty actually possess by the United States. |
viii go back only to the close OF the late war with
Great britaln. Since that epoch four great ques-
tons have divided and agtated the country mean
four great practical questions, independent of theo.
retcai doctrines, independent Of distractions Upon
these four questions the action of all parties has
hinged, These are, lst Internal Improvements 2nd
| the United States Bank 3D. the Tariff and 4th the
disposition OF Public Lands. Are these the great
questions the only questions of great permanent i'm
| porlance which have divided or even al resent di