The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-09-14

OF TENNESSEE,
In reply TO the Committee of Invitaion TO at
tend Dinner given by the Democracy Of
Maury, Tennessee, on the 18th July, 10 the
Delegation from that State TO The National
Convention.
WASHINGTON CRY, August 81, 1874.
GENTLEMEN
From you, as Committee of Invitation,
received letter, stating that, at large meeting
of our Democratic iellow-citizens at Columbia,
Tennessee, il had been unanimously resolved to
tender public dinner. on the 18th Of July, to
the delegation from that State TO the Baltimore
Convention and inviting me, as one of that
number, 10 attend Your polite invitation was
forwarded to me from Knoxville.
| thank you, gentlemen, aud through you, our
Democratic fellow-citzens, for this courtesy
and testimony of appreciation of the course
which we pursued at the important crisis to
which you refer My absence from home will
explain my protracted silence. ! regret, ex-
lremely, that my detention here on business,
prevented me from doing myself the honor of
sharing in your kindness and hospitality
Deeply impressed with the great importance
of the present juncture and, by my position
here having an opportunity 10 witness the un-
firing and concentrated efforts from this point,
which are daily made by our opponents, to di-
rect The popular mind against US and having,
also, by the kindness Of my countrymen, here
tofore held with them responsible official rela-
tons, shall take this occasion TO reply, publicly
TO the MANY inquiries of private letters, which
have received in regard to the great e.rciting
question of the day. In doing so, feel that
but discharge a duty which owe to my coun-
try, and trust that it will not be deemed in
lrusve that | should present, through you, to
the people of Tennessee, some Of the conside
ralions which appear to me ought to enter into
their decision Of the pending contest.
Be assured, gentlemen, that though was not
present with you in person atyourate festival the
lively sympathies of my heart share with you in
the patriotic emotions which that day inspired.
] share with you, 100, IN the confidence that
signal triumph, by the people, will rslify the act
of the National Convention. If | had been
present with you, | should have participated,
likewise, In the pleasure OF taking Col. Polk by
the hand, and congratulating him at having re-
ceived the highest honor which his party could
confer, without having sought it and that, on
the occasion of his nomination, scene Of en-
thusasm followed, pervading the INN, nse mass
OF citizens, who had assembled around the Hall
OF the Convention, which cheered us then with
the most inspiring hope, and has proved TO be
the precursor to joy and faith throughout
our ranks. | would have congratulated, al
so, my associate delegates of that occa-
sion, that our political friends, AT all points,
are doing battle manfully in the great cause, and
are cheered by the continued coming of new
allies that already, as the news has returned
with the responses of the people, the evidences
OF approaching victory reanimate our hearts
with renewed assurance OF success.
The Democracy is now putting forth all its
strength and all its will, and moves like giant
refreshed with slumber II exults In the pros
pect of saving the country from any return to
The system OF measures of the memorable Elk
ira Session. aud which foreboded, then, the in
toxication Of power that would distinguish the
restoration of the same men. Such a Testura-
ton would, probably, be the worst of all Others.
II would naturally be followed by an eager thirst
for Office, the impatient desire for vengeance,
and the unrestrained exercise Of prescription
for mere party ends and Qualifications. Before
such a spirit, when it rises, written Consutu-
tions, pledges Of justice and economy, and the
federation of individual opinions, never fail
TO fall beneath The counsels OF exaspeTaled
ambition. We must Judge of the future by
the past. But the terrors of the guillotine,
as inflicted for brief period, by one of its ad-
mirers, while he held power, when 700 vic
tins fell under its axe, and 5000 more were
prepared for the next sixty days. in the Posi-
Office Department alone, are never destined, |
trust, to be renewed. Colot ID Herbois, one
Of the bloody men of the French Revolutionary
Tribunal of Lyons, feared, if he should leave
il. that it would distil nothing but pure wafer.
The American People lriH not restore such
eIecufioners They prefer the simpler and
milder DAYS Of Jefferson, who, understanding
well the genius of our institutions, never re-
moved public man from Office except for cause.
We struggle TO protect the Constitution, and not
TO subject 1t to the dangerous experiments in all
the Offices Of the Government, of periodical re-
oil "a mn fg.t In hnnnr a viz
ing President to the Amer can people, and not
to treat our opponents, merely, as conquered
enemies. Under such leader, who, unprompt-
ed and undermined, commences his career by
imposing upon himself "the salJtary restraint
to the single term of four years and who has
the honor of thus fixing, forever, that Republi-
can landmark, which none hereafter dare re-
move, whose life has been vrtuous, laborous,
and patriotic; who has wisdom to perceive, and
energy of will TO decide and act promptly, we
shall not only triumph but return 10 the days OF
our primitive principles, and reap The public
blessings of reform aud victory.
The signs of the times, think, make these
events unquestionabIel The hardy sons of the
Pilgrims are marshslling their forces with an
nrdor unparalleled in the history of their cleo
tons. The granite hills of New Hampshire
are sending forth the echoes of her former deeds
Maine Is coming TO our aid like an army with
banners, and not a doubt rests, in the opinion o.
her Democracy, that they will win and keep tn,
field. New Jersey, like her owe glorious Blue,
of the Revolution, is Diet, rmined TO conquer
The flag OF the YOU'VE Hickory waves il
all her borders. New York will nerve hersel
to the contest. Pennsylvania, the keystone o.
The Union, WILL without doubt, rou tn,
Wings, "horse, foot, and drsgroons" Lit
tie Delaware, the greatest among the great
IN the intellectual honers she has worn, 10 pro
When Mr. Granger, the Wing Postmaster Gene
raj, was reproachod on the aoor of Congress will
having been guilty of prescribing ZOO postmssters
ne rephed that he prided in it, and said II he had
NAMED sixty days longer he would have cut If Thu
heaus OF 5000 more Also in his speech in Bait