Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-08-21

Inc remembrance OF having so recently
solemnIy tied himself down TO the princi
pies of the compromise. and to such 1
raising of the duties. above twenty pc
cent, as rerenue required. But at length
subsequent 10 my late address, Mr.. Cla,
himself removed every doubt of his aban
Comment of the compromise, and of his
sanction Of the abandonment of it by his
friends; for. on the day after the loss O.
The late Tariff bill in the House, he wrote
to Clay Club in Pennsylvania letter
which has been extensively published, en-,
sdOrsing and approving to the fullest extern
the Tariff of lS42. Well, here was a
singular circuit. Mr.. Clay retires from
Congress in ls42, pledging himself to the
principles of the compromise, urging his
friends 10 the observance of them in the
adjustment OF the Tariff. His friends pay
not the least respect to bis advice, or TO
the principles of the compromise, but
enact an oid-fashioned, high Protective
Tariff, and vote with unanimity in the en-.
suing Congress, (the one now sitting,
against at all modifying or reducing it.
Mr. Clay is present, locker on. and APP
proves of their course, and closes the scene
by bestowing unqualified written applause
on Tariff that had been passed in yio-
lation of tho compromise and his own ur-
gent recommendations Thus, on the two
greatest questions imaginable-the Tariff
and Texan anneXation--we find Mr.. Clay
disappointing all the just expectations
founded on his former acts, expressions,
and assurances, deserving The South, and
throwing himself body and soul, into the
support Of the views, interests, and policy
of that strong, selfish, sectional party of
the North, 10 which have repeatedly re.
ferred.
Were il not for his deserlion of the
South on these two questions, should
rejoice 10 support him, although | might
not think with him on all even q eat
questions; for | am fully sensible that
we ought not TO require the views of
candidate for the Presidency to square
with our own in all things. But when
man has placed himself in general atti-
tude of hostility 10 Southern interests in
every thing when he has become the
standard. bearer, the "embodiment" of the
principles Of that sectional majority power
at the North, which has got US down, and
shows a determination 10 keep us down
forever--it is high time Tor US 10 pause
and look about US, and consider well the
sacred character Of the duty which God,
our ancestors, and our country have made
it solemnly incumbent on us to perform
towards the land Of our birth, and of our
and our cbildren's homes and destinies.
If the people whom Heaven has blessed
with the advantages, and charged with
the guardianship, IF fair and lovely, but
feeble region Of earth, shall
lie neglected. Of the trust, in their too alb
sorbing devotion 10 party, into which, as
a lump, our heaven Is infused but to be !
lost, not felt; in whose councils all views
founded on our interests are nullifed by
the over" helming prepondcyance of the
North IL say, If our people, from their
devotion TO such great national party, or
any candidate for power, shall fall short
of The most watchiu and energetic care
OF their own rights end in,erests--in the
name Of Heaven, how, or by whom, do
they expect those rights and interests TO
be protected and defended?
For my own part, am we'll satisfied
that the reverse Of amalgamation with any
great netional party, or devotion to its
leaders and aspirants, is the true and only
safe policy for the South. Such amaga.
ina ton and devotion absolutely annihilate
our political weight and Importance, and
render us utterly inefficient, except to
swell the train, and pgopel the measures
of that ruling majority of the party which
resides under other skies, and imbibes the
influence of other stars than ours. But
by holding ourselves in a somewhat indie
pendent postion--prepared, on all oppor.
une occasions, to make the great questions
If Southern right and policy paramount
10 all party considerations, even to this
OF that mans prctensions to the Presiden:
cy-we can maintain our own respecta-
bility, and achieve a great deal for the
South and the country. This power Of
doing good, and compelling others TO do
right, would be mos, conspicuously dis
played during the session of Congress i'm
preceding each Presidential
election. For ambitious men, and the
parties under their lead, would rot be
backward to do even the feebler section of
the country Justice, when they should
once be made to know that its suffrages
depended on it, Moreover, it often hap
pens, as Oh the Tariff question during the
present session, that the South, if she
could lie united. would be able to turn the
scale in her favor, by reason Of great d.
vision in other quarters. All these ad-
and the consideration they
nrinn- are lost # we once become chained |