The Weekly register. (Ponola [sic] Panola, Miss.) 1843-1844, 1844-07-27

Uniform patriotism and lntleXlble virtue;
by It's quiet, unobstrusive, and unambi-
tious demeanor, and by its steady and
firm attachment to the Union of which
II is one Of the surest props and pillars
"a noble title, of which although it is
not proud, because il is not in its ma
ture to be proud, its sister States may
well emulate and envy her. For these
hearty manifestations Of your respect
and esteem, thank you all. thank
my fair countrywomen for grazing this
meeting by their countenance ana pres
ence. thank your worthy Chief Mag
istraie for the generous manner in
which he has represented your hospi-
tality. thank the various committees
for the kindness and attention which
have received at their hands, and par
ticularly the committee who did me
the honor TO meet me on the borders Of
your State and escort me TO this City.
| am here, fellow-citizens in compli-
ance with your own summons. Warm
and repeated invitations to visit this
State and my own ardent desire to see
1T, to form the acquaintance and to
share the inequalities Of its citizens,
have brought me in your presence.-I
have come with objects exclusively Sc
ciaI aud friendly. | have come upon
no political errand. have not come
as proPagandist, | seek to change no
mans opinion, to shake no mans ale
glance to his party. Satisfied and con-
tented with the opinions have formed
upon public affairs, after thorough in
vestigaton and full elaboration, am
willing TO leave every ether man in
the undislurbed possession Of his opin-
ions. 1t is one Of our great privileges,
IN free country, to form our own
opinions upon all matters Of public con-
Germ. Claiming the exercise Of it for
myself | am ever ready to accord to
others equal freedom in exercising it
for themselves. But, inaSmuch as
the manner, in which we may
exercise the rights appertaining ito US,
may exert, reciprocaIIy, an influence
upon each other, for good OF for evil,
we owe the mutual duty of considering
fairly, fully, and disinterestedIy all
measures Of public policy which may
be proposed for adoption.
Although foIIow-citizcns, l have tru-
Iy said that have not come to your
State with any political aims or pur
poses, am aware of the general ex-
pecialiou, entertained here, that should
embrace the occasion 10 make some ex-
position Of my sentiments and views in
respect to Poblic affairs. | do not feel
at liberty to disaPPointthis expectation.
And yet | must declare with perfect
truth, that have not and never had
any taste fer these public addresses
have always found them irksome and
unpleasant. | have hot disliked public
speaking, bat it has been pu lie speak
ing in Legislative halls, on public meas
ures affecting the welfare Of my coun-
try, or before the tribunals Of justice
1t has been public speaking, in which
there was aprecise and well defined
object to be pursued, by train Of
thought and argument adapted TO its
attainment
Without presuning to prescribe to
any body else the course he ought to
pursue in forming his judgment upon
political parties, public measures, and
the principles which ought to guide Us,
| will state my own. In respect to po-
litical parties, of which have seen ma
ny, in this country, during a life which
is now considerably protracted, be-
lieve in main, most of them think, or
have pursuaded themselves to believe,
that they are aiming at the happiness
Of heir country. Their duties and
their interests, we'll understood, must
necessarily urge them to promote its
welfare. They are, it is true, often
deceived. deceived by their own pass
ions and prejudices, and still more by in
terested demagogues, who cloak and
conceal their sinister designs. Polltl-
cal parties, according TO my humble