The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-06-21

tuition, On both occasions, Mr.. Dallas took part
in these debates On the former, after an eloquent
picture of the situation and resources Of the Uni-
ted States, he touched with powerful, but Trend
y spirit, the various causes 10 which, independent
" of the policy of protection generally advocated
by northern statesman, might be imputed the dis
tresses that supposed peculiarly to asees ana
injure the agriculture of the South Following
then, the course of general opinion as well as the
declared policy of Pennsylvania, as eSAssa In the
votes of her legislature, he presented, IN manner
not often surpassed in force and cIeaness, by those
who have treated the matter in the same light, the
views then entertained on the best mode OF adjust
ing the delicate question, so as to save the south
from any real injury, and yet preserve from des'
truction the labor and pursuits Of the northern and
middle States. When the heightened excitement
of the following year posacea that gloomy epoch
in our fraternal annals, which was marked by ser-
oiis discussions on the extent of force that tho
general government might exert upon the opposing
laws Of the States, and the consequent actions Oh
her authorities and people, he sustained that power
in the Union which he believed to be essential to
ltS pIeSeTVduOu, dilu WaktdhtSu by tsS Spss' -'-S
terms Of the contract but deprecated in so doing,
every measure not clearly necessary for those
objects. On all questions appearing to involve
any differences Of policy Or interest among the
States, Mr.. Dallas appears uniformly to have lean
ed to that course which he deemed most calculated
even at some sacrifice to preserve the harmony Of
the whole.
On the Sd of March, 1888, the terra expired for
which he had been elected to the Senate, AT his
own request, his name was withheld from the leg.
islature as q candidate for reelection. He was
desirous to return TO the bar, from which such an
occupation necessarily Withdrew him; and his
doing so was speedily followed by his appointment
to an office, whose duties, while not unconnected
with politics, were far more in accordance with
his professional pursuits. He was selected by
Gov. Wolf as the Attorney General Of his native
State and he continued to hold it with increasing
reputation, and with degree lof appreciation on
the part Of. the whole community never exceeded
nor often equaled, until the change in the execu-
tive administration Of the State, by the election OF
Governor Ritner, of course induced him to with
! draw,
Mr. Dallas. had scarcely retired to private life,
when he was made the object Of. one Of the most
remarkable proceedings that ever characterized the
political course of the party opposed to democratic
principles during any Of the intervals of their
Temporary ascendency. Under the pretext of
inauiring into the character and acts of secret
associations, several of the leading meubers ofthe
republican party were summoned to Harrisburg
in the middle of the winter, and, in defiance Of the
positive provisions Of the constitution of the State,
Alright was assumed by committee Of the legisa-
ture TO investigate their private and social conduct
as members of masonic societies. Of the persons
subjected to this strange inquisition, Mr. Dallas
was one. He obeyed the summons issued under
the apparent sanction Of the house Of representa-
tiwes, and, appeared before the committee; but
when asked to take the oath by which he was
required virturtualy to acknowledge rahe right Of
instituting an inquistion so unheard Of, into the
private and harmless conduct Of himself and his
associates, he refused;' in ashort but impressive
address. and displayed, in terms that led to the
abortve termination Of the disreputabe affair, lis
injustice, iilegalty and folly. He perceived, on
the secret operations that soon rpeh-
ed to so fatal result, by which the bank Of the
United States was imposed by corrupt and dishon-
est means, the people Of the United States, and
especially of Pennsylvania, as Stste institution.
He lent the aid Of his influence and talents to resist
it while he rernainediat Harrisburg; and on his
return to Philadelphia, awakened his democratic
brethren in public discussions, to fuf sense ofthe
had baen caraftflly
concealed. The history of that disastrous. meas
ure, and the means by which its success was
achieved, if not yet developed in all their details,
are yet generally known. Tn consequence Of 1t.
the State was plunged into the long traiu Of dsas-
tiers from which is citizens have not yet hsea able
to Nextricate themselves, and Of which the effects
extending far beyond their have
produced the most deplorable results on the bssf.
ness, prosperity, andsyench character of the Ameri-
can people. Even after .tha Ishackles bad heeR
fixed, Mr.. Dallas was among those who sought. to
relieve! the community from so fatal thsaaspJa,
Taking advantage of the approaching conveqdop.
when,the people of the State were to meetswith
every attribute of orignalsoyetsignty not resFan-
ed by the constitution Of the United States, and Of
which the assemblage was promulgated by the
vote of the people before the act in question, was
passed, he called to the consideration oftle:State
in Ian able and eloquent letter, u? propriety Of
examining into the frauds that had been .Perpetra-
ted, and relieving the commonwealth, pyan edict
of that body, from all fraudulent invasiops OF its
rights, due care being taken to protect and lnaeI'
nifty individuals concerned in the institution from
any pecuniary loss,
The political history of,he following winter WAS
marked by the election Of Mr.. Van, Rures to the
presidency and one Of the earliest ofhls acts vas
to- offer to Mr. Dallas the post Of envoy exraordf-
nary and minister plenipotentiary to Russia In
that country he remained till October, 1882, Ibe
only portion of his official correspondence while
thaIe that has heen made nuhlic his discussion