The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-10-18
COLONEL POLK AND THE TARIFF.
A LETTER FROM GOV. JONES, OF TENN.

We invite attention to the following letter from
Governor Jones, of Tennessee 1t is clear and
conclusive in relation to Col. Folks hostility to
the tariff;-and should be circulated among the
people of all parties everywhere throughout Penn
sylvania:
NASHVILLE, Oct. 3, 1914.
DEAR SIR Your letter, enclosing the proceed
ings of the National Clay Club of Pennsylvania,
and also pamphlet containing extracts of the
speeches and publications of James X. Polk, has
been received. | shall take much pleasure in
complying with the wishes of the Club, and if
any action on my part shall become necessary to
proper vindcation of their fidelity touching the
enclosed publication, you may rest assured that
1t will be promptly and cheerfully performed. |
nave examined your pamphlet with much care,
and have compared it with the copies of Colonel
Folks speeches, and addresses that used in my
late canvass with him (such as | knew to be gen.
une) and find the extracts fairly made, and with
the exception of such immaeria Typographical err
rors as usually attend reprint not at all affecting
the sense or meaning of the author, is literally
correct. not only know this publication to be
true exposition of the opinions of Col. Polk on the
subject of the tariff from comparing it with his
published opinions, but | know it from having
heard them from his own lips, day after day for
r. Poll. the friend of protective tariff can only
| excite the rldlcule and contempt of those who
know him.
1t is most astonishing that his friends should
undertake to deceive and mslead the public mind
on subject of SO much Importance, and the de-
lection OF which is so certain. | but regard
the effort that is making in your State to pass
James K. Polk off as the friend and advocate Of
protection as an outrage, which for impudence
and falsehood, is unparalleled in the history Of
party warfare. 1t is gross attempt at fraud,
one that would disgrace the verest party hack
But disgracefu as is this attempt the part Of
the friends and supporters of Colonel Polk, can
but regard his position equally dsreputable.
II truth, fairness and justice is his object, it
ought 10 be of one aspiring to the high and dign-
fed position he seeks why does he not speak out
like man? Why are his lips sealed as with
the stiffness of death? Where is that holiness
and independence that ever characterizes man
conscious of his own integrity, and the correct
ness OF his principles and conduct! Possessing
the power and the means (and having been re-
spectful'y asked to do SOY Of arresting fasehood
and undeceIvng his countrymen, and refusing to
90 so, makes hun particeps criminiS. and should
cons'gn him to the same unenviabe distinction.
Col. Polk can not, will not, dare not deny that
he has always opposed the protective policy Qhis
has been his boast) He has never ceased to de-
nounce the Tariff of 1912 in terms unmeasured
and yet he observes a most DIGNIFIED SILENCE,
permitting truth to be crushed to EARTH and false
hood raised in its stead, and all that some polit- b
cal advantage may ensue to himself.
repeat now what have frequently written,
spoken, and published, and which has never been
denied by Col. Polk or any Of his friends in this
State, that Col. Polk at all times, during both of
my canvasses with him, opposed, denounced and
condemned the principle of protection, and during
the last campaign the tariff of 1912 received his
most unqualified condemnation. To this state
ment pledge my reputation man of honor,
and challenge Col. Polk or any of his friends to
deny it. II any friend of protection, or of the
tariff of AZ, is prepared to vote for him, believing
that he is any other than the unqualified opponent
of this system, Gf he shall be elected,) he will
discover that he has been deceived and mised,
and find his only comfort in cursng his folly and
credulity. If | had voice that would reach
every city, town, and hamlet in Pennsylvania, it T.
should be raised to warn every freeman of the
impending danger, and invoke him to spurn and
desplse with freeman's spirit the base attempts
that are made to seduce him from his fidelity to
his principles, and lead him into the support of
man whose principles are at war with the best
interests of the country cannot doubt that the
intelligence of your citizens will enable them to
detect this fraud; and when detected, know
their virtue and integrity will at once put the
broad seal OF condemnation on it and its authors
One word as to Tennessee: she is firm, fixed,
and mmovable. The political tempest may blow,
the rains OF taIsehood descend the floods of caum-
ny and detracton may gather around hsr, un-
moved and unbiased she will stand firmly by her
principles, and cast her vote for HENRY CLAY.
She is resolved 10 make one more gallant effort to
dlspel the gloom that gathers around our hopes
one more effort to arrest the impending ruin that
threatens our common country. Where will
Pennsylvania, the keystone of the Arch, be in
this great and glorious works This is the
question that Wings of Pennsylvania must anv
swer. If she and orr aster Sthtes will come to
the rescue, and stand by the side of Tennessee
in this glorious enterprise, we shall yet see the
proud and gallant old ship of State brought back
to her ancient mornings, and peace and prosperity
permanently restored to long oppressed and
much injured people,
With considerations of the highest respect,
am, sir, your friend and servant
JAMES C. JONES.
CHARLES GIBBONS, Esq.