Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-08-14

believed in my right to a seat, but hac
nevertheless taken it and enjoyed its pri
vileges, and exercised its functions, and
| had then voted against the constitutionality
Of my tenure, but still continued 10 cling
TO it, and enjoy tin fact, all would have
been fair weather and smiles between me
and my political friends on the election
tquestion. But it was my misfortune to
believe in my right 70 the seat to which
they had elected me, and | acted, spoke,
and voted in acceptance with that belief,
and hence fell under condemnation.
l beg leave TO be understood as not ad-
verting 10 this subject with any view Of
complaining; for, Notwithstanding the cen
sure and regret at my course, to which |
have alluded, as having been at first felt
by my friends, they afterwards generally
exhibited TO me abundant kindness and
confidence. The only reason, therefore,
why have adyerted to the subject now, is,
that it is one among numbered circum-
stances going to show the strictness and
Jealousy with which the wing party in
Georgia are getting disposed TO tie down
their Representatives to vote and act with
the wing party in Congress on important
questions Of constitutional power and
public policy. This disposition is doubly
evinced, as well by what has been approx
ed in others, as by what has been disap.
proved in myself during the present ses-
sion. And il is disposition which, what
eyerelse may be thought in regard to it,
cannot be denied to be the opening of a
new and most important era in Southern
politics.
Having been thus warned OF the peril
| should probably incur at home, by dar-
ing toyote against the Congressional wing
party on any question on which they should
choose to rally as party, soon saw an!
other trial ahead Of me, between my clear
sense of duty and this party requirement
of voting with the wings | allude now
to the Tariff question; the question on
which, above all others, should have sup
posed that Southern Representative
would have been safe with his constituents
in resisting the bchests of any national
or Congressional party whatever. which
sets up the protective policy as cardinal
point in its creed. But, having dwelt so
amply on this subject of the Thrift in my
late address, which you have done me the
honor to notice, should be inexcusabIe to
detain you at much length OH ii at this
time. There are some things, however,,
which my opportunities here have COM
PEELED me to know, and which il is proper |
to mention to you.
In the first place, soon perceived that
no opponent of the protective policy could
expect 10 be recognized by the whig party
in Congress as a sound, orthodox, true
hearted wing. That policy was distinctly
proclaimed as the great paramount ques-
ion with the party. The imposing Of
axes on the whole country for the benefit
IF the protected interests, was their dar-
ing measure. Whoever would concur
With them in that-whoever would support
and abet them in their system of legalized
robbery OF the people--might hope, and
not hope in vain, 10 be tolerated in differ
ng with them on other questions. But,
whoever yentured TO thwart or resist them
n that, was not TO be forgiven, or deemed
worthy of fraternal welcome in the great
ghig brotherhood.
This temper and determination on the
,art Of the wing party grew out of two
;auses or motives-lst, out of that DELHI
crate policy of using The taxing power of
he Government as an engine of individ-
lal enrichment and sectional aggrandize-
nent, which is the very root of the whole
system. 2dly, out of their an
iious desire to appropriate the protective
Tariff system exclusively to their own use,
IS an electioneering argument or lever in
hose sections of the Union in which de-
,otion to the system is believed to be the
political sentiment. The
Ianger which they wished TO obviate in
hese sections was, that of being rivalled
II paralyzed in the use Of this weapon by
he successful assertion, on the part
# The democrats, that the wings, as
veil as themselves, were divided party
N the subject of protection. If this i'm.
could be produced by the demo-
rats, il is manifest that the wings would
ave very little advantage over them in
making party capital out of the Tariff.
But the wings were, and are, determined
0 have such advantage; and TO have il in
he most decisive and overwhelming man
err They hope to carry, by means of it, {
he great States of New York and Penn j
yIvania and by coupling with it the .
,ouceur Of works of internal Improvement
y the general Government, and distri- {
luton Of the proceeds Of the sales of the t
ublic lands, they hope also to secure I
ONE other doubtful and strongly contested
states. Hence, it was point of great
Importance in their party tactics and cleo