The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-05-07

ing Wing p iaciples than Theodore Frelinghuy-
sen-(Long and loud appause) Nor does he
ENJOY respect alone; but such is the purity of his
lie, the ease of his intercourse among men, that
ne has as strong hold as any man know, not
only on their regard but on the love and affection
and fervent attachment of all who know him.
| (Cheers.)
The State of New Jersey needs no passing
compliment from me. You all know her charac-
tor, ancient and recent, for patriotism. All of
| You remember her revolutionary services and her
| revolutionary suf1erings. You have heard, you
all know, that patriotic revolutionary dust lies at
Princeton, at Trenton, at Monmouth. Some of
US have learned from our fathers lips-all know
from the history of the country-that in the sea-
son of the deepest gloom of the revolutionary
war, when the little army of WHIGs, which was
the only support of WAsHINGToN, and the only
stay against the enemy that was overwhelming
the country, traversed New Jersey, tracking their
path on snow and on the frozen ground, red with
blood from their wounded feet, all know that
through the whole, her whole population, ALL
WING, administered of the little all they had,
| some of food and some of raiment, to these suf-
fering martyrs in the cause of their country.
(Cheers) And if an occasion has now come
rendering it proper, am sure every person pre-
sent will receive qualification from ito remem-
Der New Jersey; to remember that patriotic and
gallant State, and with entire cheerfuness and
readiness, give her mark of regard in proposing
10 CONFER as tar as in our power, The second office
OF the Government on one Of her most dlstin-
guished and cherished son.--(CheerS)
Gentlemen, the duty before us and the other
Wings OF the country is to restore that ascent
dancy which circumstances have impaired 1t
is to re-establish pure Wing principles and Wing
measures--to affirm the sentiments on which
we acted in 1S40-to do that aoork over again;
and to do nor, God willing, so that !. ,OM hold!
Loud laughter and cheers.)
The present circumstances of the country are
full OF the indications of prosperity. Much good
has been done. 1t is our duty, and our purpose,
to hold on to what has been obtained to pursue
farther what is desirable, to make permanent all
our interests, and to secure and establish the gen
eral prosperity of all classes. We are called
upon to establish-to settle firmly, the great in
terests of the country. We may almost say that
this is now all that every interest needs, and
hence we must preserve the benefits already Sc
cured; we must leave off this everlasting aga-
ton; inspire more confidential trust in the le-
gislation of the country; repose upon the invio-
liability of public faith, and let the people be left
free to their strong hands and resolute and will
ling hearts, making each man sure of the rewards
Of his labor and industry. (Cheers)
Now in my Judgment, we can only accomplish
this by establishing, by making .fred, true, sound,
conservative Wing principles and Wing mea-
sures. And there are two views before US. Mr.
Clay will be President of the United States, if
we do our duty. (Cheers.) If we do not our
duty, SO far as we can now foresee, Mr.. Van Bu-
rem will be the President of the United States.
Loud cries of "Never!") You observe, gen.
tlemen, nterposed Mr. W., the important quail
6cation prefxed to this supposition-if we de.
sen our duty, Mr.. Van Buren, may be President
If Mr.. Clay is the President of the United
States, we know, gentlemen, the character of
the general principles of his administration, and
the several measures he will recommend and
support We know at least that Ue shall under
stand him. (Cheers.) Where he is right we
shall SEE he is right; and if he is wrong we shall
be able to see in what his error consists. Now,
| would not speak with personal disrespect of any
gentleman whom any large part of the peope
have proposed to make President of the United
States. But must say, gentlemen, in justice to
MIR. Van Buren,, that have not yet made such
proficiency in my knowledge of the English
tongue; have not studied so far all its shades
and varieties OF meaning have not so compass
ed all its broad and marro,u phrases-postive,
negative, or OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of laughter)-as
alaoays to be sure, or EVER to be sure when that
gentleman attempts TO communicate his senti-
ments to the people, that know what he means.
daughter and cheers.)
hope do not exceed the decorum of the oc-
casion; am sure that it is consistent with the
spirit of perfect good nature and perfect respect,
if say that, in my opinion, that distinguished in
dlvldual might save himself some considerable
trouble in writing, and those who wish to know
his opinions, great deal Of reading, if he would
adopt some settled, short formula for answering
questions Laughter.) When two gentlemen
meet in the morning, we know, each says to the
other, "Well, how are you to-day?" And his
answer is, "Thank you pretty much as usual 20
Or, if it happens 10 be one of my countrymen of
whom the inquiry is made, his reply is, "O!.
don't know, thank ye; pretty much as usual, |
guess how are you" Now do think that this
Yankee form of answer would be of great impor-
lance in the political correspondence of that gen
teman- (Cheers and laughter) And when
upon newly arising questions of public or nation
al concern, he is asked his opinion, or how he
stands in regard to it, he might answer 30! II
don't know, thank ye; pretty much as usual y
Laughter and long cheering
Gentlemen, | never fully agreed in the senti-
ment OF that pleasant maxim of the poet in re-
gard to public and political affairs,