The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-09-16
MR. DAIIAS,S ADDRESS,

The following sketch Of the Vice Presidents
speech at the public dinner given to him at War.
renton is Of course meagre one, and does not sui-
Gent justice to the orator. But 1t is the only
record we are likely to have Of a speech
which made deep impression at the Time 1t was
delivered, we deem it our duty to lay It before our
readers We presume that Mr.. Dallas gave the
same exposition Of the mischieyous consequences
Of the minimum principle that he made OF the spe-
chc dutes but it is omitted in the following sketch.
He might have easily stated thatthe minimum prin-
cple is a positive fraud upon the consumer. 1t
rates article-a yard Of coarse cotton cloth for
example-which may be purchased in England for
cents, at the minimum price of 20 cents, and COM
pes the consumer in the United States to pay upon
it the same duty whatever be its actual value, If 1t
were worth 20 cents the yard, when it might be worth
only 6 cents in England, The consequence would be-
that it would the duty up from 80 per cent to
than 100, and this duty would fall on the poor CON
sumner; but a variety of such articles pay no duty
at all, for the heavy duty prohibits their introduce
ton from abroad; and Of course the domestic manu-
facturer sells off his productions Of that quality at
a much higher price, than the foreign article would
command If the tariff act of 1876 were productive
of no other benefit than this alone--If it did moth
ing else than abolish the unjust and abomina-
bic minimum principle, this feature alone Of the
tariff system would enhte its authors to the graft
tude of the people:
From the waIrenton Flag OF pS, Sept ~.
SPEECH OF MR.. DALLAS.
We give below the substance Of Mr.. Dallas's re-
marks in this place the occasion Of public din
ner, given him by the democrats of Fauquier. Ii is
also proper to add that the three first paragraphs
are given from memory, and are, therefore, not so
correct as the remaining ones which are given from
notes taken at the time. OF the whole, we must
say that il a abstract, for the most part not
pretending to give the exact and elegant diction.
The substance only is given in a very condensed
form. This have felt it our duty to say in JUS
tice to Mr.. Dallas. We give this much, however,
TO crafty subscribers, who were not enabled TO
be present with US upon that occasion.
10. Our distinguished guest, George M. Dallas,
Vice President OF the United States: His faithful
adherence TO his principles and pledges in his late
vote in favor of the engrossment Of the bill for the
reform of the tariff, and the inhexble integrity
with which he pursued the path of duty, afford the
great democratic party the proud satisfaction of
knowing that in comforting upon him his high and
honorable trust, their confidence and votes not
unworthy gwen. With grateful hearts we bestow
the merlted commentator, "Wel done, good and
faithful servant"
Upon the reading of the preceding toast Mr.. Dali
las arose and said
Fellow CITIZENS OF FAUQuiER COUNTY: My first
emotion is to return my thanks for the kindness
which has prompted you to invite to meet with
you on this festive occasion, and for the kind and
complimentary manner in which you have spoken,
IN the toast just read of my recent act of giving
casting vote in favor Of the customs bill of 1916.
Let me say to you that claim merit for that
act. only discharged my duty when the forms of
legislation brought the bill within my power. If
there be anyth hing to commend in that billiard, in
my opinion, there is much-the merit of it belongs
to others. To the President, first, belongs the mer
it Of that bill and Of its ultimate success. Next in
the order of merit for this stands the able
Secretary of the Treasury; and next to him, that
firm, wel-trled, and interchangeable democrat, the
chairman ofthe Committee of Ways and Means in
the House of Representatives. The Vice President
has but little part in legislation Ii fell to my lot,
however, to be called upon to give casting vote in
favor of the engrossment Of the bill. And while
some circumstances made it painful, the way of du-
ty was PLAIN. My vote was simple homage to the
great principle Of representative responsibility. The
baot-box IN 1874 had marked out the path of duty;
and had only to obey its command. This was on
my part an easy and just course. To have done
otherwise would have been to disregard my pledges
and the wishes ofthose who elected me. | a
now hold and my opinions, perhaps, alike un-
known You placed generous, though apparently
imprudent confidence in my political principles and
fidelity, when under these circumstances you gave
me your suffrages. The convention which nomi-
mated me gave me to understand what principles
were expected to guide me in my future course.
With this understanding, accepted the nomination.
And this day have the proud satisfaction Of know
ing that my democratic brethren in the Old Domin-
ion feel that they have not been disappointed by
my action. For this act, then, which has ELECTED
from you such warm expressions of appreciation,
claim no high degree of merit.
Fellow-ctzens | will not close these remarks
without adverting to the acts of this administration,
which you have aided in calling into power. Many
bold and important measures have been proposed
and consummated by il, and the Congress which
has just closed its session. These will have mark
ed effect, for veal wo, upon the future history of
our government, and the prosperity Of our country
And, in my humble judgment, their tendency and
effect, if fairly tried, will be only beneficial.
During this administration Texas has merged her
sovereignty into that of this happy Union. The
"lone starr has risen to place in bright con-
stellation of States. What homage is this to our
republican institutions When was it before that
one nation cheerfuy laid its sovereignty at the feet
Of another asking admission to its blessings and Its
fortunesl This glorious event is unparalleled in the
history of nations.
But we are told Of the expenses Of the war grow
ing out Of the annexation of Texas. Let me OBJ
serve that it is primary principle of democracy to
avoid war. These expenses may he great. But
what do we get for theml Land and citizens, and
additional commerce. All this we get; but these
are as nothing compared with the glory and renown
we gain from the brilliant achievements on the bat
tle-helds of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma
Abroad, among other nations, the glory Of those
scbieveem;.nts has given Us fame more extensive
and rosi,ion mora elevated than we had ever be-
80 Pi T,L;,,, less than such deeds of