Independent Democrat., 1844-07-27
SPEECH OF MR.. DOUGLASS,
OF ILLINOIS,

4 In the House of Representatives., June .,
ls44--In reply to Mr.. Hardin, con-
trasting the political opinions OF James
Knox Polk and Henry Clay.
The civil and diplomatic appropriation
bill being under consideration
Mr.. DOUGLASS said he had not al
lowed hlmself to participate in any OF the
political discussions which had occupied
SO much of the session, and had not IN
tended 10 say anything on the present oc-
casion, until he had listened to the speech
Of his colleague, [Mr. Hardin,] who had
Just taken his seat. His colleague seemed
ambitious to distinguish himself as The
Header Of his party in the Presidential
campaign, and be was happy TO say that
he had succeeded in acquiring consldera-
able notorieiy in that way-s Early IN the
session, il will be recollected, be made a
speech, or, rather, wrote a book, tor the
|especial benefit of MIR. Van Buren, under
1.-THE impression that that eminent statesman
would be the democratic nominee for the
Presidency. The action Of the Baltimore
convention, in the nomination Of another
distinguished citizen for that exalted sta
tion, has taken my colleague by surprise,
and turned all his hopes OF a glorious i'm
mortality, from that effort, into bitter dis.
appointment. His stories, anecdotes, and
|witticisms, however much they may be
admired for their elegance and beauty
have lost their force; and even those
beautiful pictures in which he represented
himself and Mr.. Van Buren as standing
side by side at an election, have become
offensive in his own eyes. 1t is truly
sad disappointment--the loss OF his first
born political speech. To man Of del
|icate feelings and keen sensibility, it is
.indeed severe affliction--one under
(which, as we have seen, the stoutest
heart, and the firmest nerves, sink almost
in despair. deeply sympathlze with my
colleague inshis misfortune, and, on this
account, excuse, as no doubt The House
will, the almost savage ferocity with which
he has pounced upon Col. Polk as the
democratic candidate for the Presidency
. The proyocation is very great, and some
indulgence is due to the passions and
\ frailties of human nature. Although the
exhibitions of this day might seem TO JUS
tily different opinion, assure the House
that my colleague, if not provoked and
irritated, ia naturally very amiable man
4 propose, so far as my time will permit,
to analyze the assaults upon Colonel Polk,
and see how far they will bear the test oi
# Investigation. 1t is source of gratifica.
ton that they are all of political nature
none of them affecting his. private and
moral character. j have witnessed, with
feelings of piide and pleasure, the com.
plete and Observation-Disclosures which his
political adversaries have borne to his
moral worth and purity Of character as
gentleman and a citizen.
The first severe thrust my colleague
4 aimed al Col. Polk was, that when com.
|: pared with Mr.. Van Buren,, "he was but q
pigmy beside giant" | was not aware
. that my colleague considered MIR. Van
Buren, a "piant." find nothing of this
kind in his former speech, nor did sup
pose that he SO truly appreciated the mora
greatness and intellectual power OF tba
illustrious man. confess myself agree
ably disappointed, as have no doubt the
people of Illinois will be, when they learr
that those who have been most industrious
in abusing and traducing Mr.. Van Buren
have discovered that he is notonly grea
man, but even giant, when compare'
with his distinguished countrymen. Blu
few weeks ago, when Mr.. Van Burel
was supposed to be a candidate for th
Presidency, he was a mere pigmy; bu
now he has become giant, and Col. Pol
is the pigmy. When Col. Poik shall hav
served his Presidential term, and retire
10 private life, suppose he, in his turr