Independent Democrat., 1844-07-27

/
he is filled with rage. and horror, and
threatens terrible visitation of popular
vengeance upon its author. If had the
time, would trace the course Of Mr..
Clay little further upon this subject, for
the especial benefit of my amiabIe col.
league. would refer.io the speeches OF
Mr.. Clay in the Senate in ls IL and lS42,
when he renewed his pledges of adher-
ence 10 the principles of the compromise
act, and also TO his published letters to
various gentlemen in the Southern portion
Of the Union, in which he says he has
devoted all the better part Of his life to
the "reduction Of tariffs" have no
doubt that review of these interesting
documents would be peculiarly edifying
10 my colleague, and commend them TO
his attentive perusal, with the hope that,
after little cool reflection, he will come
10 the conclusion that man is not totally
unworthy of the confidence of the Amer
ican people, merely because he may have
entertained and expressed those senti-
ments upon the subject of the tariff. The
difference between Mr.. Clay and Colonel
Polk, and, indeed, between the wings and
democrats, upon this question, is this: the
wings have repudiated all their principles
and professions, and violated all their
pledges and promises to the people in
1910; whilst the democrats have adhered
to theirs with fidelity, and thereby pre-
served their integrity and consistency.
My colleague [Mr. Hardin] has also re.
ferred to the Oregon question, and called
that one of the humbugs of the day,
brought up for the purpose of influencing
the approaching elections. He has de-
nominated it a political hobby, a mere
humbug, gotten up for political effect.
confess my surprise at these declarations.
was not prepared 10 hear them from any
western man, and especially from the lips
of my colleague. He has certainly not
forgoiten the time when he and advoca-
ted this humbug, and rode this same hobby,
as he is now pleased 10 term it, before
the people Of illinois. We did not then
call humbug, or political hobby, nor
did the people Of Illinois SO consider IL.
We uati tiicy'reg artlrd 'uud vrcutcd irtse a
great national question, involving the in.
tegrity of our territory, our national honor,
and tho highest interests Of the country.
My colleague woli knows that, by advo-
eating This great national measure, or, TO
use his own language, by riding this polit-
ical hobby, he procured his nomination
for Congress over his able competitor,
who had made speech on the British
side Of the question, and thereby secured
his seat in this House.
Mr. Hardin made an explanation. and
said that, prior 10 his nomination for Con
gress, he had made speech in defence o.
our title to Oregon, and in favor of the
adoption of measures for its occupation
to the exclusion of foreign power; bu
that, during his canvass, be had said no.
thing, or very little, upon the subject, and
that no questions had been asked him
about it. He still adheredto his Original
opinion in regard 10 it.
Mr.. Douglass resuming, snid, he alluded
to the gentleman's speech 10 the capitol Of
i Illinois, in favor of the immediate occu.
patton Of Oregon. 1t was an able and
patriotic speech on the American side oi
The question. 1t was delivered with an
enthusiasm and energy that showed that
his whole soul was enlisted Id the success
Iof the measure, and no onespspected that
the gentleman was mounting 1t as hobby
to humbug the people. and ride into Con.
gress. Much less did ] expect that, after
riding his hobby successfully, and reaching
the goal of his ambition, he would ridicule
and denounce theyery measure that ena-
bled him to succeed. The people OF lii.
nois are not 10 be humbugged in this way.
They will teach their representatives to
support here, in good faith, the measures
which they profess to advocate at home
before their elections.
Not content with ridiculing the Oregon
question himself, my colleague has endeav.
ored to create the impression that Colone
Polk was also against it. His argument
when condensed and analysed, is beau.
tiful specimen of logic. The Oregon
question, he says, is a humbug; Colonel
Polk opposed the humbug, therefore he
ought not to be President. Again, 1t Is
political hobby; Colonel Polk wouldn't
ride that hobby; therefore he ought not to
be elected. Surely this is choice speci.
men of whig logic. But is il true that
Coll Polk is, or ever was, opposed TO Ore
gon7 Where is the evidence TO sustain
the charged My colleague has not, and
cannot, produce it. He has relerled TO
speech Of Col. Polk ON this floor in 1928
: in which he pointed out some objections tc
the bill then pending, and moved its re.
: ference to a committee, for the purpose oil
having il so amended as 10 obviate those
!, objections. In that very speech Colonel
: Polk reviewed the whole history OF ouI
.kaa ia.-.ao... .,nndo IN able am