The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-05
From the Lynehourg Republican
SPEECH or MR.. LEAKE.


Hon. Shelton +. Leake addressed the people Of
Amherst on Monday last, that being court day,
We had tho pleasure Of being IN attendance, but
learn from the most reliable authority, that his effort
eloquent and forcibo one, giving entire ss,is
faction TO his friends. He spoke some three fourlhs
OF an hour, touching briefly but Pointedly all the
principal topics which have elected public attention
during the present administration Ia aDasion 10
his on the Oregon question, he expressed his
regret that he was forced from convictions OF Iads-
ment, and OF public duty TO differ and act contrary
10 so large portion of his political friends. twas
a new question, involving principles aud eonse
quencss of the highest importance, and of the most
profound and intricate nature, and, with the lights
before him, he could but pursue the course be did,
though he knew il was in conflict with the wishes
OF large body of his constituents. He believed
however thai the Of the President in effect
ing the passage of the notice resolutions brought
about the amicable settlement Of that yexed ques,
tion, aud thus terminated a controversy which had
existed for years battling the skill Of the wsesl dip
lomatists OF the two governments interested, and
which liked to have involved US in the disasters Of
war. fr#s#
Hsably defended the administration in its treatment
Of our Mexican difficulties, giving the wings some
heavy hits with their own weapons. He depored,
has every good citizen must, the calsmtes Of war
said il would entail upon US heavy national debt;
bu, Of this, he very Justly said, the wings could not
complain, without first surreDdering two cardinal
articles Of their faith, the first Of which was, the
advocacy Of large and permanent national debt,
lat leas. 10000 600 says the leading Wig paper OF
New York J IN order that they may force upon the
country a perniaasnt system Of high protection;
and the second, because the payment OF the debt
would not deyolss upon the people, but, according
to wing theory, could have TO be paid from the value
OF the papsr Labor Of Europe, the Importer and nd
the consumer, say they pays ne duty! These are Po-
sers-they cannot be eyaded-they are triumphant
answers TO the false and ridiculous clamors Of the
wings about the public debt But Mr.. Leake's
justification OF the war and OF the public debt did
not rest upon these absurd federal theories. He
believed National debt 10 be curse Instead OF a
blessing, and that own people, and not those Of
England, wil have 10 lquidate IT, but, IN this In
stance, he believes il TO be necessary evil forced
upon US by the ignorance and folly ofa corrupt and
unhappy people, and one 10 which every good cit
izen should cheerfully acquiesee
Upon the subject of the tariff he was peculiarly
happy and pointed, throwing hot shots thick into
the ranks OF tho enemy. He referred to the many
and convincing evidences Of the increased prices Of
and demand for American produce IN foreign ports,
occasioned altogether by the repeal Of the odiou'
corn laws, in illustration OF the blessings Of free
trade and OF the folly Of protection, and the "hom,
market" hunbug Of the wings Did the farmers
and spectators in agricultural products, asked Mr.
L., watch with eagerness the arrival Of every mail
Tor commercial intelligence from Massachusetts and
other manufacturing States, by which TO determine
the price and value Of their produeel No, no; they
looked abroad for this information When will
the Great Western, the Caledonia, the Hibernia
&c, arrive, is the anxious inquiry upon every lip
We wish to know how corn, four wheat, barley
and other agricultural products selling. Mr.
Leake rejoiced that he had been favored with the
opportunity Of voting against the abomnable tariff
Of ls42 and declared that IL he had the oppor
tunity of casting another vote, it, of ITSELF would be
glory enough lr.
Mr.. Leake will address the people Of Bedford on
Monday next. .........