The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-02-22
Address
OF THE
Wing Members Of the Legislature.
TO THE FREEMEN OF INDIANA.

constituted committee, by the Wing mem
bers ofthe present General Assembly, 10 adj
dress you in relation 10 matters of interest
to the people, beg leave, in the discharge
Of ths duty thus imposed, to ask your atien-
ton whilst We submit to you such facts as
we deem worthy your consideration. We
are aware that, when the public nina is ag.
itsted by the discussion Of measures of pub.
lie policy, it is too frequently the case that
our partizan feelings and preudices preclude
candid and impartial appreciation of the
argument of our opponents. Notwithstand-
ing this may be the fact with many into
whose hands this address may fall-allow US
10 appeal to that desire TO arrive at truth
which we know all posses, when influenced
by party spirit, to forget, in its perusal, the
source from which il eminates, and we are
persuaded that the truth which it contains,
cannot fail to carry conviction to impartial
minds.
II cannot be denied that it too frequently
occurs in the history of our political contests,
that partizans, TOR the purpose of acquiring
power, nake the most positive assurance, that,
upon their elevation to Office, it will result
TO the benefit of the people. 1t has not es-
State, calling themselves democrats, during
the late canvass for governor, Lieutenant Gov
ernor and Members of the Legislature, were
lavish in their promises OF this character
From the improyident legislation of the
Representatives of the people, brought about
by tie wild spirit of speculation, which was
the consequence OF the mal-adininistration
OF the General Government, the people had
become embarrassed by I'D immense public
debt. The same cause overwhelmed them
with individual Indebtedness. In this emer-
gency the cry for relief was raised through
out our borders. The organs of the demo-
cratic patty sS-=ss>=-l .ll-ez a-==zs=s
with appeals to the people in favor of relief,
broadcast over our whole State. The peo-
pie were told, that the consequence OF the
ascendancy of that party would be relief to
the State and to the people-that taxes
would be reduced, and at the same time our
plighted faith with those to whom we are in
debted, would be pseserved-thlt our farm
ers would receive a more Just EeeeaPense
for their labor-and that such course Of State
4. policy would be pursued as would bring the
country back to its wonted prosperity. The
people ever honest, and ever anxious 10 bet
Ter their condition, gave credence 10 the
high hopes thus held up before them-the
election resulted in-giving that party the as
tendency in the executive, aud Legislative
branches of the Government, thus enabling
them, were they sincere in their promises, to
meet the expectations of the people.
Upon the assembling of the Legislature
all eyes were turned to those now in power,
who had promised so much The delivery
of The Inaugural Of Governor Whitcomb was
awaited for with Impotence, as it was expect
ed TO contain a recommendation of somede-
finite policy 10 be pursued which would sat
isfy the excited hopes of the country. She
address came-and with it disappointment
to the people. Instead oftaking that indie
pendent statesman like course which would
adorn the position in which the people had
placed him, he seems studiousiy to have
avoided committing himself on any one sub
ject upon which there is difference ofopnion.
He did not stop here? Having permitted the
expectations Of the peopeio be raised by the
means above alluded to, he remarks, in that
address, "that, among the causes which have
led to my (his) elevation TO the office of
chief magistrate Of Indiana, assurances on
my part Of relief through my instrumentaliiy,
have not found place, and it would be IN
just to excite in the mind of the public cred
itor or ofthe citizen any false or delusive
hope.n
The political history of the State presents
no PARALLEL to such deception. i will not
do for Governor Whitcomb or his friends TO
put in Especial plea" mere qaibble, and
say, that, Notwithstanding the newspapers in
his support were filled with these assurances
he was not bound to regard them, because
they were not made by him. A deluded
and deceived people will not be satisfied by
such anapology. They will hold him re-
sponsibie, however he may wish to evade
such responsibility His inaugural contains
no proposition-no plan-no suggestion on
this subject, of all others the most important
TO the people. He wishes to make none
until afterthe elections of next year, for fear
that it might effect their result. He says be
will "defer 10 a filter occasion. the express
sion ofny (his) views more fully on this mo-
mentous subject" because then his ''olficial
position shall have given him ample access
to the records of the several departments OF
the Government This excuse is made 10
satisfy an intelligent people! and, in what
position does it place the intelligence of the
Governor himself? Isit to be presumed that
he was ignorant, al the time of writing his
Inaugral, of the reso urces and liabilities OF
the State subjects upon which all have the