The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-06-29
April 18Th, Isfa

men 81 North Carolina
A long cherished object Of my heart ~ accom-
plshed am at your Capital and 10 The midst oi
you. have looked forward 10 this my first visit TO
North Carolina, with anxious wishes, and with
high expectations OF great gratlhcatl and am
happy To say that my loadest anucit atoms have
been more than realized. Wherever have passed
on my way to your city, wherever have stopped,
ct the depo,s Of railroads, IN country towa or sil
Iage, II has been my good fortune 20 receive the
warmest Recommendations Of respect and kindness,
from all parties, from both ssxes, and from every
age but no where have met, no where had tx.
pected such distinguished sception, and such
thuslasc greetings as those with which my arrival
here has be attended. ! am rrlolced to be with
you this day, TO stand surrounded by you In the
ment Of your public liberaty and taste and while
my grateful heart has been warmed, BY the tlril-
ling grasp of each ou,stretched hand, and my eye
cheered by the smiles and beauty OF the tais daugh-
tiers of North Carolina, who have honored the oc.
casion by their presence, cannot but rejoice, and
do rejoice, that am an American citizen and
feel that, though far removed from my immediate
home and friends yet Tread here the :. Il OF my
ct,untrymen, and can exclaim IA the language OF
the Scottish bard, that this, "'his Is indeed my
I, own, my native land"
agreeably surprised. had expected to find some
hundreds, perhaps a few thousands assembled here
to meet and greet me. did not expect To witness
such an outpourng. | did not expect TO see the
whole State congregated together ; but here il is
From the mountains and from the standardization,
the extremities and from the centre, see around
me the sons and the daughters ct the good old
North State! A Slate which has earned this esil-
mable title by the purity, simplicity, and efficiency
OF Its nstutions-by It's uniform patriotism and in-
flexible virtue by Its quiet, unobfrusive, and I'M
ambitious demeanor, aud by It's steady and arm at
tachment to the Union, of which il is one Of the
surest props and pillarsa noble title, OF which. al,
though 1t is not proud. its sister States may well
envy and emulate her. For these hearty mani
frstations Of your respect and esteem, thank you
all. | thank my fair couutrywomen Tor gracng
this meeting by their countenance and presence
thank your worthy Chief Magistrate for the gene
rous manner in which he has represented your hos
pitaity. l thank the various Committees for the
kindness and attention which have received al
their hands, and particularly the Committee who
did mo the honor to meet me on the borders oil
yon: State, and escort me to this city.
am here, fellow. citizens, in compliance with
your own summons. Warm and repeated invita-
tatons to visit this State, aad my own ardent de-
sire to visit it, to form the acquaintance and share
the hospitstles of It's citizens have brought me In
your presence. have come with objects, exclu-
sivey social and friendly. l have come upon no
political GRAND. have not come as propagan-
dist. seek to change no mans opinion, to shake
no mans allegiance TO his party. Satisfied and con-
tented with the opinions which have formed upon
public affairs, after thorough investigation and full
dellberatlon, am willing to leave every other man
In the undisturbed possession OF his opinions. II IL
one OF our great privileges, in free country, TO
form our own opinions upon all matters Of public
concern. Claiming the exercise OF It for myself,
exercising it for Themselves But, inasmuch as the
manner in which we may exercise the rights apper
saiLng to u.s. may exert, recprocally, an influence
upon each other, tor good or for evil, We owe the
mutual duty Of considering fairly, fully, and disn-
:. teyestedy, all measures OF public policy which
may be proposed for adoption.
Although, feIlow-cltlzens, have truly said that
/ have not come to your State with any pollIical
alma or purposes, am aware OF the general ex.
pectation, entertained here, that should embrace
the occasion to make some exposition Of my SEN
afforrS In
feel at liberty to disappoint this expectation
And yet must declare, with perfect truth, that
have not and never had any taste for these public
addresses. have always found them irksomee and
unpleasant have not disliked public speaking,
but it has been pubic speaking, in legislative halls,
public measures affecting the welfare OF my
country or before the tribunals Of justice. 1t has
been public speaking, in which there precise
and well defined object be pursued, by train OF
thought aud argument, adapted TO its attainment:
Without presumlng 10 prescribe to any body else
the course which he ought to pursue IN forming his
Judgment upon political parties, public measures,
and the principles which ought TO guide us, l will
state my own. In respect to political parties, OF
which have seen many, IN thus country, during a
life which il considerably protracted, believe
in the main, most Of them think, or have persuaded
themselves 10 believe, that they are aiming at the
happiness OF their country. Their duties and their
interests, well understood, must necessarily urge
often deceived, deceived by their own passions and
prejudlces, and still more by interested demago-
gues, who cloak and conceal their sinister designs.
Political parties, according to my humble opinion
OF their legitimate sphere OF action ought to be re-
garded as nothing more than instruments, or means
subordinate, but important instruments or means
IN efecting the great purposes OF wise admins
tration OF governments highly useful when not fac.
tious and controlled by public virtue and patriot
isn; but, when country n lost sight OF, and the In
terests of the party become paramount to the inter
ssts OF the country when the government Is seized
by party and Is not administered for the benefit OF
the people, and the whole people, but to advance
the purposes, and selfish aims of ITSELF rather OF
lis leaders, then Is such party, whatever may be
the popular name It may assume, highly detrimen-
tai and dangerous. / am wing, warmly attached
to the party which bears that spected name from
athorOugh persuasion that It's principles and policy
are best calculated to secure the happiness ana
prosperity Of our common country; but II be-
lieyed otherwise, ii were convinced that It sought
party or individual aggrandizement, and NOT the
public goo , l would instantly and forever abandon
it, whatever might be the consequences to myself,
or whatever the regrets which might feel IN sepa-
rating from veteran friends.
My opinions upon great and leading measures OF
public policy have become settled CONVICTIONS, and
am wing because that party seeks the establish
ment of those measures In determining with which
Of the two great parties OF the country, ought TO
be connected, have been governed by a iull con
sldration, aud fair COMPARISON, OF the tendency OF
the respective principles, measures, conduct ano
views There Is one prominent and characteristic
Indifference between the two parties, which emlns Mt
Fly distinguishes them, and which, if there were no
other, would be sufficient ~ decide my judgment.
And that is, the respect and Difference uniformly
displayed by the on,, and the disregard and con-
tempt exhibited by the other, to the constitutional
the laws and to public authority. In country,
where free and self-government is established, II
should be the pleasure, as it is the bounden duty,of
every citisen to stand by and uphold the constu
4 ton and laws, and support the public authority; be-
cause they are his constIution-hs laws. and the
lpublic authority emanates from his will Having
concured by the of his privileges, in the
badoPtion OF the constitution, and In the passage OF
1.-THE aws,an outrage or violation attempted OF either
Eoughtto be regarded az an offence against himsei
Nm offence against the majesty of the people. In an
krbltrary aud absolute government, the subject may
lave some excuse for evading the edcts and ukases
n)f the monarch, because they are not only promu-
ated, without consulting his will, but sometimes
galnst the wishes and the interests of the people
j a that species OF government. the power of the
N,ayonet enforces reluctant obedience to the law
With free people, the fact that the laws are their