The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-09-27
From the St. Clairsville Gazette.

DR.. Dayaham: l will now notice the oft repeat
ed charge that was Whig in 1887, changed my
principles and turned Democrat for the sake of
office. This charge originated with the Wings as
we took different sides on the " Sub Treasury"
when recommended by President Van Buren,. If
this charge is true it should exclude me from the
society of honorable men, for bad faith to party is
a political offence which society ought to frown
down; and if l do not in this case prove an abb
let me take the just and merled odium of deserving
my party-of being a traitor.
will now state facts susceptible of proof in a
court of justice, provided the conductors OF the
press would be competent witnesses OF my being
the writer of numerous essays advocating political
principles diametricaly opposed to Whig prnci-
pies. In 1887 | was and had been for years an
open and avowed member of the estate Rights
party" As the necessary result of these political
principles vas in 1887, and had been for years,
opposed to U. S. Bank, Protective Tariff, and
to Internal Improvement by the Federal Govern.
ment. was then, and had been for years, oppos-
ed to banks of circulation as well as to the system
ofinternal improvement pursued by this State.
These were certainly not whig principles. In
1887 was, and hal been from the time the ques-
ton came up, Sub-Treasurite" in common with
the State Rights party, who originated the meas
ures. On the 18th Of Feb. 1885 ninety Jfue State
Rights and Wing members of Congress voted for
Mr.. Gordon's proposition to "diu0rce the Goprrn-
nent from the baaks." And this is the only af-
frmatiye public measure on which recollect hav-
ing agreed with the Wings; and this they abandon
ed when Mr.. Van Buen recommended it to the
extra session in 1887, and promptly charged the
State Rights party with being traitors to the Wing
party, because forsooth it was determined to cher
ish with paternal affection its own ofspring--a
child by the by of SO much promise that a whole
host OF admirers irrespective of party WED with its
parents as to who should do the most to rear it up
TO vigorous manhood.
Next as to my support Of men. There was born
in me spirit of hostility to the British Govern
nient, or else the course Of the Federasts during
the war of 1912, made me its incorporating enc
my; for from the time had vote until 1924, that
vote was always cast for those whom believed to
be Democrats-that was, for advocates of that
War. With me it was then a matter offeeling. l
knew nothing of the fundamental principles which
separated the parties in 1898. In 1924 voted for
Mr. Adams from the same feeling. felt pride
in voting for man whom then supposed had,
from patriotism rallied with the democrats of Mas
sachusetts, against the Federaliss, at the head of
whom stood his venerable father. During this
canvass the friends of Adams, Clay and Crawford
charged Gen. Jackson with recommending Presi-
dent Monroe to appoint Federasts to Office. This
gave me strong dislike to Gen. Jackson and in
duced me to vote for Mr.. Adams again in 1928,
l had imbibed strong dislike to
his threats towards Georgia with whom took
sides without, grant much knowledge ofthe mer-
its of the case. Gen. jackson triumphed, and as
his administration progressed he took State Right
positions which convinced me that he ought to
have triumphed. admired his Messages and es-
pecially his Bank Veto, and his recommendation Of
.sOne Presidential Term" But his permitting
himself 10 be again candidate and his recommen-
dation to President Monroe, as well as that pride
of opinion, which is too prevalent in all men for
the public good, induced me to vote against him
in 1882. In 1886 voted for General Harrison,
because believed him to be less Objectionable on
the question of State Rights than any other candi-
date-because he was pledged to sustain the COM
promise faif-and because believed hun (from
his position and his letter to Sherod Williams)to
be the advocate of the Sub Treasury as the fiscal
agent of the Government, and an opponent Of the
U. s. Bank, as well as Of the Pet Bank system.
These were my votes for President from 1924 TO