Southern pioneer, and Carroll, Choctaw and Tallahatchie Counties advertiser. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1840-1842, 1842-04-23

friends who knew me. and appreciated Justly
the motives by which have been actuated
10 them, if had language to make suitable
acknowledgment, would now take leave 10
present them, as being all the offering that I
can make for their long-continued, persever.
ing, and devoted friendship. But, sir, if /
have difficulty in giving utterance TO an ex-
preston of the feelings of, gratitude which fill
| my heart towards my friends dispersed thro'-
out this continent, what shall say, what can
say. at all commensurate with my feelings
of gratitude towards that State whose hum
bic servitor ami | migrated TO the State of
Kentucky nearly forty five years ago. went
there as an orphan, who had not yet attained
his majorlty-who had never recognized IA
theirs smlle-poor, pennilesS, without the IA
vor OF the great-with an imperfect and in
adequate education, limited to the means ap-
plcable to such boy; but scarcely had | set
foot upon that generous soil, before | was ca
ressed with parental tondness, patronized with
bountiful munifcence, and | may add TO this,
that her choicest honors, often unsolicited, had
been freely showered upon me; and when
stood, as it were, in the darkest moments of
human existence, abandoned by the world,
illuminated by large portion of my own
countrymen, she threw around me her impen-
etrable shield and bore me aloft, and repealed
the attacks of malignity and calumny, by
which was assailed. Sir, it is 10 me an un-
speakabIe pleasure that am shortly to return
TO her friendly limits, and that | shall finally
deposite (and it will not be long before that
day arrives) my last remains under her gener-
Gus soil, with the remains of her generous and
patriotic sons who have preceded me.
Mr.. President, recent epithet q do not
know whether for the purpose Of honor or
degredation) has been applied TO me; and
have been held up TO the country as dictator!
Dictator! The idea of dictatorship is drawn
from Roman institutions; and there, when it
was created, the person who was invested
with this tremendous authority concentrated
in his own person the whole power of the state.
He exercised unlimited control over the pro-
perty and lives of the citizens of the Com
monwealth. He had the power of raising
mics, and of raising revenue by taxing the
people. If | have been dictator, what have
been the powers which have been clothed!
Have possessed an army, navy, a revenue!
Have had the distribution Of the patronage
OF the Government Have ] in short, possess
ed any power whatever Sir, if have been
a dictator, think those who apply the epithet
TO me must at least admit two things: In the
first place, that my dictatorship has been dis
tinguished by no cruel executions, stained by
no deeds of blood, soiled by no act of dishonor;
aid they must no less acknowledge, in the Sc
cond place, Though do not know when its
commencement bears date, but / suppose,
however, that it is intended to be averred
from the commencement of the extra SESSION.
that, if | have been investedswith or have
usnrped the dictatorship, have at least vol
UNFAIRLY surrendered the power within shor.
ter period than was assigned me by the Ro-
man laws for its continuance.
Mr.. President, if to have sought, at the ex.
ira session and at this, by cooperation with
my friends, 10 carry out those great measures
which the majority of 1910 desiredto see ad
opted and executed; if to have desired TO see
the currency and exchanges of this country
once more regulated; if to have desired TO re-
plenish the empty Golfers of the Treasury, by
an imposition of suitable duties; if to have de-
sired TO extend relief to the unfortunate bank
rupts of the country, ruined in great meas
ure by the operation of the previous policy of
the Government; if to have desired, by coop
Grafton with my friends, to limit and restrain
and regulate the Executive action, because il
became dangerous towards the other depart
ments Of the Government in my opinion, and
in the opinion of the majority of 1910; if to
have desired to preserve the honor and credit
of the country untarnished, by adequate and
suitable provisions for revenue, sufficient for
fulfilling all the public engagements; if the
faithful purpose of executing all these meas
ures-if an ardent desire 10 carry out and re-
deem every pledge which was fairly made by
my friends, when struggling for the acquisition
of power: if, say, these efforts and this CO.
operation constitute my dictatorship, then
suppose must bear the odum or the honor of
the epitbet, whichever it may be considered.
Mr. President, that my nature is warm, my
temper ardent my disposition in the public
service enthusiastic, am ready to own. But
those who suppose they may have seen any
proof of dictation in my conduct, have only
mistaken that ardor for what | at least sup
posed to be patriotic exertions for fulfilling the
wishes and expectations by which hold this
seat; they have only mistaken the one for the