The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-10-23
Mr.. Webster'S Speech

MlT, WeDSterS speech
The Speech of Mr.. Webster at Valley
Forge is pronounced the most effective which
he has delivered during the campaign. We
now publish the eloquent commencement
of his Speech. The following is the
manner in which he speaks of the deception
practiced by the friends of Polk in Pennsyl-
vania in regard to the tariff:
And this leads US directly to the enquiry,
what are the measures, principles and opin-
ions Of the one and Of the other, as submitted
to the consideration and judgment of the
American people. Now, gentlemen, there
would be stopto all Republican government
"a dead halt made by those who desire to
see the prosperity of free institutions,-if we
were to give up this first great principle -
that electors are inquisitive enough to desire
to know the opinions and sentiments ofthose
whom they may elect to rule over them-iu-
telligence enough 10 be enabled thoroughly
to analize those opinions and those senti-
ments-and then talent and candor enough to
make the proper application Of the knowledge
thus acquired. If this great principle be CIV
en- up, then the suhstratum of popular gov
ernments falls to the ground. (Cheers.) /
believe that there is intelligence enough to do
tiAiof anu 10 CuOOSS IuOSe
whose principles are best calculated 10 effect
the great objects which we all have in view
(Cheers.)
There are two leading questions for our
consideration in the very important contest
before us. One is the protective system
This subject has been so ably and thoroughly
discussed before you by men much more able
to do so than am, that it is not necessary
that should dwell upon it here. 1t is a ia
vorite measure with yOu-with US at home
and with all Of our party. We deem it
most necessary measure-one that cannot
under any circumstances be dispensed with
as being necessary to the cOmiort-necessa-
ry to the happiness-the prosperity of all, land
vitality necessary to the support and security
Of our institutions. (Much cheerinS)
/ This brings US at once TO the inquiry, what
are the opinions which these two candidates
hold upon this protective question:; and it
leads US first TO ask what are Mr.. Folks SEN
timents thereon!
This is easily answered. 1t is notorious,
that when Mr.. Polk was nominated, it was on
account of his direct hostility to the Tariff of
1s42. / had supposed that there was not a
/ man in the Union-nOt man who could read
a newspaper, or was possessed Of ordinary in
/ telligence, who did not understand it-who
did not know-who was not morally certain
! that MIR. Polk was put forth as a stronng I'M
! compromising Anti-Tarih man-a warm
friend and advocate of Free Trade And
that he was put forth by his party on those
i very grounds to run against Mr.. Clayl The
| thing was not discussed with US. All his adj
] herents in Massachusetts, New Hampshire
and Maine avowed that he was strong Anti
| Tariff man, and declared that on that very
ground they would 60 for him. But in course
Of time his friends found that his doctrine was
not popular in some parts Of the Union, and
I they therefore resolved that he should come
/ TO us not in his true, but in an assumed garb.
/ And that he, who was the steady, regular,
original enemy to protection, should be dress
ed and undressed, and undressed and dressed
again, and exhibited in his new garments as
protectionist. (Sbouts Of laughter, in which
the ladies joined.) do not believe that Mr..
Polk after undergoing such change do
not think he would possess after DOMINIC his
new and for him extraordinary garments-I
think that he would not have that continuity
OF ideas which philosophers say constitutes
personal Identity" (Shouts Of laughtcr.)
And indeed as far as know anything of Mr.
Polk, don't believe that he'd consent to sub
scriber to any such degradation-I do not be-
lievethat he would for a moment lend himself
to the preparation OF such deceptionl / be-
lieve he'd scoln it And il he were here to-
day, and the question were to be put to him
TO be sure he'd look sober; and he would
not like to make any answer-but if he was
put to it, TO speak or not, under the penalty
of forfeiting the good opinion of all men, he
would say directly and honestly, d" ! am OPP
posed to protection-I came into public life
opposed to it-all my votes, speeches, aud
public acts have been in direct hostility to it
my sentiments have undergone TO change
I'D to this hour in regard TO it-and | expect
to remain an uncompromising enemy TO it
till the day die" CHEERS and laughter.)
This is strong language-bu it is not stron-
ger than Mr.. Polk used in stating his views
last year, in the general discussion and con-
troversy with MIR. Jones, in Tennessee, when
they were rival candidates for the office OF
that State; she had followed closely the lead
of South Carolina on this subject. But the
sentiments of the people had undergone a
change; several of the most eminent men in
the State thought that the tariff operated ben
officially even to Tennessee, and were satisfied
that it immensely benefited the whole coun-
try, and with true patriotism abandoned all
sectional prejudices for the general welfare.
MIR. Polk remained on the old anti-tariff
ground. He proposed to Mr.. Jones that they
should write letters to the people explaining
their respective opinions, and fully discuss
the great question in their approaching con-
test; and it is notorious that the contest was
strictly tariff and antitariff; and in which Mr. |
Polk came off second best. daughter and
cheers.)
This is also rendered clear and positive by |
the occurrences at the Baltimore Convention |
Mr.. Polk was nominated, and Mr.. Van Bu-
rem defeated. Mr.. Van Buren, was not much
81 , ,,-;T man nnr uuch of an anti -tarif r,,an.