The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-07-12

on gold and silver plate and other costly and elegant
furniture. Nothing but the lateness of the hour
prevented something ofthe kind being done at the
time of the passage of the act.
Probably some of my Fellow citizens may moi
be convincedby my arguments as to the expedien.
cy of this enactment, to them would address some
other considerations rendered necessary by the term
OF affairs. If you can be induced, vigorously and
inexorably to condemn and Danish from your con-
fidence, every public man, who may be guilty of a
single error Of judgment, how can that experience
and knowledge of public affairs be accumulated,
which alone can adequately defend your interests'
What public man could stand such an ordeall Who
is it that never errs? Do you expect succession
of new, raw men, TO be able to cope with the vet
erans, who will be sent to public councils, from
other sections, Laving in many particulars an in
terest in direct opposition to yours' Moreover
did not promise my fellow citizens of Monre to
bring into their service the talents and the knowl-
edge Of an angel, which might preclude all possi-
blity of error or mistake, but did promise them
the utmost exertion of such faculties as nature or
education may have bestowed upon me, and that
promise claim to have fulfilled to the very letter.
Theyhad the benefit of my utmost exertions and
constitution naturally capable of sustaining labor
and toll, in an eminent degree, receiveda shock
from which it is not yet entirely recovered. Fel-
low citizens. you may possibly send to the public
councils higher grade OF talent, more extensive
learning, and greater fund ofpolitcal knowledge,
| thant tba cpho noAra Iiu I nail
er affirm nor deny any thing. But more zeal in
your service, greater solicitude for your welfare
or more untiring industry in endeavoring to pro-
mote your best interests, you neuer ,ciH obtain
One more consideration. To what extent will
you consent to strengthen the CENTRAL POW.
Err, by joining in the crusade and assisting to hunt
down every man, against whose official conduct,
clamor may commence in such cities as Colum-
bus and Cincinnati and Cleaveland. Is not that
power, as the distributor of place and patronage
sufficiently gigantic already Could moi have
gone to the capital and have angled for place and
promotion in disregard fyour interests' Howev-
er humble my talents and attainments may be,
were they not more than sufficient for such task
as this' Do you suppose that such Establishments
were not actually held out!,
Had been governed by motives merely selfish
my conduct must have been in many things dia-
metrcay opposite to what it was, but then in the
language of dear and valued friend lately return
ed from the sunny land Of the Montezumas, " how
could abuse the confidence of generous and
contiding constituency"
1t is hoped that these declarations will find their
apology in the occasion which gave them utter
ance. A man subjected to the rigors Of an unre-
lenting and unremittiDg crusade, may say and
ought to say, many things which modesty would
otherwise forbid him to utter.
This controversy is to be regretted for other rea-
sons. Perhaps perverse and dIrected ingenuity
could not devise system more thoroughly des-
tructive of the best interests OF the PEOPLE than
the whig banking system of last session. And
that system baleful and mschievous as it is, must
if successfully opposed, be opposed by sound argu-
ment and thorough knowledge and competent skill
and not by mere windy defamation and denunci-
alton. Yet the very ablest champions and choicest
spirits in the democratic ranks, are the men who
are put upon the defensive in this controversy, and
their time and talents thus occupied Are we at
this time in situation to dispense with the servi-
ces of such men as Disney and Loudon and Bald
win and Meredith and host OF others that could
be named Do we not iced their aid in opposing
those whig paper money dogmas, which threaten
to overspreaj the land' How many human sacri-
fees are we able to offer up' How many men
can we spare at present?
Had it not been necessary to spend so much
timUupun this unfortunate controversy, it would
have been gratifying to me to communicate with
my fellow citizens on various other subjects. At
tempts in the last House of Representatives, to
obtain appropriations for the Columbus and San
dusky turnpike road the Wahonding Canal, the
works at the grand rapids of the Maumee, as well
as divers other speculatons too numerous to men
ton, such the clearing of Reservoirs extra al
lowances and others of the like nature, all sgnally
tailed. AS did also an attempt TO give away the
surplus revenue 10 certain favored counties under
the guise and pretence of a loan
But this address must be brought to close. No
man can suppose Inc governed by pecuniary mo-
tlves in offering for seat in the Ohio Senate. The
pittance paid to members will barely cover expen-
ses There is no compensation for loss oftime. If
conscious to myself of personal motive tits 10 be
enabled to continue the well begun opposition to
system of speculation, which ought never to
have taken root in our State. and which it Is not
yet too late to eradicate. In other words wish
to march while longer at the head Of the column
of TREASURY GUARDS. But if your choice
should fall on another, may he perform that i'm
portant duty faithfully and well, and if so he shall
have my cordial support.
If elected can only promise you untiring zeal
in your service and devotion to your interests; all
else may be out Of my power
shall close this address with the same senti-
ment that closed my last years address to the Peo-
pie Of Monroe, Sour country frs, our country
last, our country evermore."