Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-08-26


lent imposition against the title. The
very charge is absurd. How could the
speeches be destroyed or concealed?-
They are 10 lie found not only in the files
of the In'elIigencer, bu, in those of many
other journals and publications. Of the day,
where they are just as safe and open TO in
spection as if placed among the public
records. To attempt to keep them from
the public eye would only cause them to
he more greedly sought after. The very
speeches you have published, as il they
were new and unknown TO the public, are
the very ones which have been re-ppb-
ished div ers times, and have again and
again been repeatedly referred to in Con-
gress, in poIiti'al harangues, and by
newspapers; and that for the very purpose
tor which you now repub>h them. They
are the very last which any one who was
base en0ulh 10 resort to fraud would
think of concealing Bat why speak of
them as being suppressed when they are
referred to in the biographical sketch to
which you abide, and winch, it would
seem from its index, was intended TO be in
cludcd in the work? Again, why speak
oithcm as suppressed when all the speech
es which made during the war to rouse
and animate the country to the defence of
its rights and honor, and TO sustain the
burden and privaions o. the war with
tortilude, and which are now unanimously
applauded, are in the same prodicament
except onel Are they, too, suppressed
or designedly concealed!
Why, indeed, should attempt to con-
ceal them, or any Of my early speeches
not contained in the volume, even those
which contain opinions different from
those now entertain? What is there
about them that Should rcpudlte them?
Do they not breathe lofty sentiments and
devoted attachment to the country, and
eyincc foresight and frmncss?. We're
they not opplauded by the Republican
party at that time? And are they not
now euIogi@ed by you and o!h sR mH rTJCo Of
| ems! why, "U;., :"o"'u NC "sn"ii'0I -
them, or cast them away because 'hey
contain opinions in several particulars
which NV. after more than quar'e' OF
century, 90 not approve? SAo"lj be
ashamed 10 acknowledge that have iVed
to improve, and have had the sense to sve,
and the frmness to correct early errorSt-
No; | am far from repuda,lng these 10y
mere youthful etfpr,s. Their very errors
lean to the side of the country. They
belong to the times, and grew out OF ardent
feelings ofpatriotism, The danger which
then tn eatened the country WIS from
abroad. The overthrow OF Napoleon was
Flowed by the combination OF the great
soycreions of Europe, called the Hoiy AL
lance. It's object was hostile to popular
Governments. and it threatened TO turn
its power against this continent IN order to
suppress the fec States which had sprung
out of the cd Spanish possesdon' There
WAS then no knowing at what moment we
might be involved in a contest Tar more
terrific than that which had Just ter
minated 1t was in this state Of things
that Congress was called on TO settle the
peace establishment, on the termination Oi
the late war with England. My atten.
ton was intently turned to what be'lev-
ed TO lie the point OF dI1ger; and was
anxious to put the country in condition
to meet whatever might come. Inc oPih-
ions EXPRESSED in releencc to mhnu'ac-
lures, internal improvements, and per-
manent system of icvenue, kept constant
" in view my leading lject--prepara-
llon for defence-as much 50 rs what
then said in reference to the army, militia
ry acaiemy, and The navy, as tho speech
es themselves show.
The danger from without fortunately
passed away, and that from within began
to disclose itself. | was not slow TO sec
the strong tendency the Government wa:
taking towards consolidation, and tina
: many of the means which | had regardec
az necessary TO defend against externa
danger, contributed not Little to increase
the danger within. That led u reinves
: legation, and that to modification or change
: Of opinion which took place.
=. So far from casting away or desiring It
:. conceal or keep out of view my earl.
/ speeches, have long intended 10 co.Iec
and publish them. | see you promise II
publ 81 freely from them. You cannot d.
n me greater favor, and hope you wi
n not halt till you have repubIlshel all.
d was so careless as to neg lect TO preserv
:. copies Of my SPEECHES or other publica
Al tons prior to my election as Vice Pres
dent. Since then have been more care
t. full. Your republication will give me &C
10 pies in much more convenien: tori
is Than of manuscripts, and save me niue
Ks time and trouble in Collecting and SON
n, little expense for copying. shall pr
y serve carefully the two contained in Il
a. Intelllgenrer sent by nv friend, and