The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-03-25
THE CONSISTENCY OF THE VAN BUREN,
MEN OF PENNSYLVANIA

! MEN VI PENNSY LVANlA.
| strong preamble and resolutions, adopted by
the Legislature of Pennsylvania with only a
single dissenting voice in either House, protest
ing against the repeal or modification of the
| Tariff of AZ, which the Legislature highly COM
mends. was presented to the Senate on Friday by
MI. Sturgeon, and to the House by Mr.. Broad
head. What is the spectacle here presented
Both these men, as well as large majority Of
both branches of the Legislature are protested
Democrats-Van Buren, men, and will support
Mr.. Van Buren, as the candidate for President,
| who declares that he is opposed to the present
Tariff, both in its principles and details What
beautiful illustration this is of the sincerity of
these men, who profess TO adhere to "principles,
not men z" They are for the Tariff of az, prin-
ciple and detail, and yet adhere tenaciousIy,
and with party grasp, to the man who is OPP
posed to it, principle and detail!
Such men talk of the principles of the Demo
cratic party! What are they? If those who
belong to that party do not support their princi.
Piles in their man, if their candidate be not "the
soul and embodiment" of their principles, where
are they to be found, and why do they support
the man? They believe the Wing Tariff to be
wise and salutary measure for the country,
and yet what abuse have they not heaped upon
those who passed that measure? They declare
that it has restored prosperity to the country,
and given quickening impulse to every branch
Of industry and yet what obstacles will they
not throw in the way Of the election Of the man
who is pledged by whole life of public service
devoted to ,hss great and important principle of
protection, to sustain that measure, and advocate
the election of one who is committed against it !!
With what complacency can such men look hon.
est people in the face How dare they claim to
be the friends Of the country, and profess to be
actuated only by sincere desire to promote the
public good
Is it not obvious that if Mr.. Van Buren, were a
friend of the present tariff, and Mr. Clay opposed
to it, that these men would make great outcry
against Mr. Clay, on the ground that he was OPP
posed to those great principles and measures up
on which the prosperity of Pennsylvania must
depend, and which her people must stand by and
support, as vastly more important to them and
their children than the election of any man to the
IIcSiucICy huu WOulu tlcy HOt uISc tHlS do
reason why they should support Mr.. Van Bu-
rem in preference to Mr. Clay? Beyond all doubt.
Why, then, the case being reversed, do they not
support Mr. Clay and oppose Mr.. Van Buren,
We can answer the question. Because they go
for the spoIs. They adhere to their party and
their party candidate, because it is only through
its and his success that they can control the pa
tronage of the Government, and have access to
those fat jobs and little "pickings and stealings,"
upon which SO many Of them have become rich.
They are kept together, as Mr.. Calhoun once
said, by the cohesive power of plumber" or by
the expectation Of obtaining positions in which
they will be able to rob the people as they have
heretofore robbed them, of millions. No politi-
clans know better how to do this than the plum
der party of Pennsylvania, which has involved
the State in debt of forty millions, DESTROYED
her credit, furnished her name abroad, made her
a by-word of scorn in the mouth of the world,
| oppressed her with taxes, and amassed fortunes
! OUT Of the public works themselves.