The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-23

AAhI NnEAA iAMMhNt HALL MEETING
Al the great gathering OF the democracy Of New
York in Tammany Hall, on Friday evening last,
Ar. Brady, the chairman, announced the following
letters, which had been received from the two sena
tors of that State in the Congress of the United
States: -
WAsHMeIoS, December II, ls45.
DEAR SIN: am favored with yours of the 18Th
inviting me, in behalf Of The Democratic Republican
Young Mems General Committee of the city Of New
York, TO address public meeting of the democratic
republican young men of that city, 10 he held al
Tammany Hall, on Friday evening next, upon the
subjects OF constitutional REFORM and of national
and State policy. IL would afford me high gratii-
cation could comply with your request, but abb
sence from my seat ri this Time would he ncompaii-
bic with official duty.
most heartily concur in the declaration or rrnci-
Piles Swallowed forth in the resolutions accompan,
ing your invitation, and admire the frank and manly
tone In which they are expressed.
The present is an suspicious moment for the
proftab discussion Of principles. No mporsn,
elections are pending to quicken official ambtoo,
or 10 stimulate mere partisan ZEAL but questions OF
high national moment and abiding interest claim our
best consideration and the framework Of the fun
damental law Of our own State il about to be recon.
slructed by the people.
The aspect of national affairs so far as relates
to the administration of ourown government, could
scarcely be more gratifying. Loiiy as we're the ex-
pectations created by the memorable struggle and
triumphant success Of 1884, they have been more
than realized. The patriotic tone and manly bear.
ing of the Executive In his official communication,
has gadaened the heart of every true American has
Strengthened the hands Of his friends wrung unwiI-
ing praise rom his opponents, and is destined to
command the respect and admiration of the civilized
world. Nobly was he sustained the standard
bearer Of democracy, and thrice well has he dis
charged the office. W
That elevated policy which has resulted in re-
uniting to us an extensive and fertile region of
country, a free and independent people, aured by
the beauty of our institutions, and won by the arts
OF peace, has furnished memorable and nstruc-
tive chapter in the history of human progress; an
impershable record of the triumph Of truth over err
ror--of liberal and enlightened philosophy over
a narrow and bigoted prejudice--and of the cease
less and onward spirit Of the age over that ,imidly
and selfshness which runs only in the grooves of
its own formation. Though the first conquest of
peace it will not be the last; and the time is not far
distant when the American citizen will only wonder
why II should have found an opponent on this side
Of the Atlantic.
But need not say that the all absorbing topic Of
the day is the territory of Oregon, to portion Of
which Great Britain has, as usual nterposed her
claim. Having as good e right TO the whole as to
any portion, and none to either, ahe has rejected
otters for compromise, which trust she will not
have the opportunity to reject again. and negotiation
seems TO have teSminated. Our title to the whole
territory has not only been boldly asserted by the
distinguished statesmen who have conducted the
negotiation, but has literally been shown to be cear
and UNREASONABLE.
Great Britain may now, perhaps, consent to d.
vide IT, especially If her craving propensity for ag-
grandizement shall be sufficiently INDUCED; while
the American people will insist upon the whole Of
their own, remembering that il the spurious and
not the natural mother who proposed to sever the
disputed offspring.
Among the most interesting questions which will
demand the consideration Of the convention for the
revision of the constitution in State, is that OF
limiting the power of the legislature to debt
for the purposes Of internal improvement, The ex-
ercse Of this questionable function Of government,
under any circumstances, can he justified only by
necessity. Whatever may have been the occasion
for its exercise, or however great may have been
its advantages or manifold its abuses, such neces-
sty with us exists no longer. Works Of the first
magnitude are undertaken and completed by ASSOC
ciaied private enterprise, and no ono il probably
contemplated within our borders, entitled to a mo-
mentis consideration, but such may readily be ac-
complished by the same similar means.
The exercise Of this power has proved fruitful
of mischief and irritaton and having largely
offended, we should obey the Scrptural injunction,
to cut it of. The attempt to remedy il by stripping
the representative of the power and dignity Of his
staion-to render him irresponsible in the estima,
ton Of the people and degraded in his own, must
increase the evil it is designed to remedy and pro-
claim TO the world that representative government
is not to be trusted in matters which concern the in
terests. of the people.
The judicial department Of the government re.
quires, your resolutions indicate, and doubtless
will receive thorough and radical reform and reor-
ganzation; and il is but reasonable to indulge the
hope that following this improvement, the PRACTICE
and proceedings in courts of law and equity may be
disrobed Of the chamber drapery which has SO
a..
the numerous absurd and antquated forms and .fc-
tions which embarrass the administration Of Justice
may be abolished, and truth and sense becoming
the spirit Of the age, be substituted for fiction and
jargon.
The right Of suffrage is mainly conventional, and
the question upon whom 1t shall be conferred should
be determined as well upon principles of justice as
Of expedency; and while we should not deprive the
negro of his rights, no mistaken conception Of alb
stract equality should induce us TO yield him our
own, or attempt thus to compensate him for the
bondage of his counirymen.
II is clearly apparent that Two races Of men, sc
unlike in physical development, cap never associate
together IN any OF the concerns of life upon terms Of
equality without that inermngling Of relai ions
which degrades both. The mere privilege Of be
slowing his suffrage, without the right TO receive
that of his fellow citizens in return would prove an
idle mockery; and the right become such re-
cipient with the knowledge that through all time il
WIS W w HSitieu t'oSueSt "ouiu ItoFc vYuaiiy
valuoleas and unavahg. Itmuy, by the aid Of po-
litical traders, embody and congregate the rowing
and worthless of this unfortunate race, especially
previous to important elections, but it will ee-
vale and ameliorate the condition of the African.
He will stand like Tantaus, with bis lips to the foun-
tain, without being permitted to taste its blessings.
Nor can his condition be essentially improved while
he mngles with people who, however virtuous he
may be- csnnqt and will not extend to him the hand
Of social equality.
But time will not permit me to enlarge upon the
various topics significantly enforced by your reso-
lutions; and in few hurried words desire TO say
that will cordially join you in intoxicating senti-
mens which shall tend to enlarge the boundaries OF
rational freedom, and to render its foundations more
broad and deep; which shall well secure to in
dsry its reward and to labor the bread it has
ed, ns to the afluent his fair inheritance or honest
accumulaons, which shall restore to the people, as
far as is practicable, the appointment Of their own
servants and shall simplify and correct all that is in
volved and erroneous; which shall war with privi-
lcge and inequality in whatsoever imposing garb
they may appear, or however specious their dis