Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-09-18
SPEECH OF Mr.. DALLAS.


on the occasion of public dinner given him oy
The Democrats of Fauquier. Ii is also proper to
add, that the three first paragraphs are gwen
from memory; and are, therefore, not so correct
as the remaining ones, which are gwen from
notes taken al ths time. OF the whole, We
must say that il is mere abstract, Tor inc most
part not pretending to give the exact and elegant
diclion. The substance only is given IN very
condensed form. This We have lelt il our duty
10 say in Justice 10 Mr.. Dallas. We give Tins
much, however, 10 crafty our subscribers, VINO
were not enabled 10 be present with us upon that
| occasion:
10. Our distinguished guest, George M. Dali
| las, Vice President of the United States. His
faithful adherence 10 his principles and pledges
in his late vote in favor OF the engrossnent OF The
bill for the reform of the Tariff and the infexi-
Bile 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 were mol unworthy given. With
grateful hearts we besloW the merited common
dalton, "Wel done, good and faithful servant"
Upon The reading OF The preceding toast, Mr..
Dallas arose and said:
Fellow-C Citizens of Fauqnier County: My first
emotion is 10 return my thanks for the kindness
which has prompted you 10 invite me 10 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
oflSi6
Let me say to you that claim no merit for
that act. | only discharged my duty when the
forms OF legislation brought the bill within my
power. II there be anything To commend in that
bill-and in my opinion there is much-the merit
OF il belongs 10 others. Tothe President first, be-
longs the merit Of that bill, and Of its ultimate
success. Next in the order of merit for this mea-
sure stands The able Secretary Of the Treasury;
and next 10 him that firm weil-tred, and indefati-
gable Democrat, the chairman of The committee
Of ways and means in The House of Representa-
tives. The Vice Presiden, has but lille part in
legislation. Il tell 10 my lot, however, 10 be cali
ed upon 10 give casting vote in favor OF the en-
grossmenl OF the bill. And while some circum-
stances made i, painful the way ofduly was plain.
My vote was simple homagel 10 the great pInei-
pie OF representative responsibility. The ballot
box in l. Al had marked out The path OF duty; and
had only 10 obey its command. This was on
my part IN easy and just course 10 have done
otherwise would have been to disregard my pledges
and The wishes OF those who elected me. was
stranger 10 you when nominated for the Office
which now hold; and my opinions, perhaps
alike unknown. You placed generous, though
principles and fidelity, when under these circum-
Stances you gave me your sutlrages The Con-
venton which nominated me gave me 10 under
stand what principles were expected 10 guide me
in my future course. With this understanding
accepted The nomination. And this day have
the proud satisfaction of knowing that my De-
mocraic brethren i'll the Old Dominion feel that
they have not been disappointed by my action
For this ACT, them which has elected from you
such warm expressions OF appreciation, claim
no high degree oil merit
Feow.C Citizens, will not close these remarks
without adyerting TO the acts Of this adminislra-
ton which you have aided in calling into power.
Many bold and important measures have been
proposed and eonsumInaled by il, and the Con
gress which has just closed lis session. These
will have marked effect, Tor veal or woe, upon
The future history OF our government and The pros
perity of our country. And, in my humble judg
menl, their tendency and effect il fairly tried, will
be only beneficial
During this administration Texas has merged
her sovereignty into that of This happy Union
The "lone STAR has risen 10 place in our bright
constellation Of States. What homage is this
10 our republican institutions! When was il be-
fore that one nation cheerfully laid lis sovereign
ty al the feet OF another, asking admission 10 It's
blessings and its lonunes7 This glorious event
is unparalleled in the history Of nations
But We are told ofihe expenses OF the war grow
ing out OF The annexation OF Texas. Lei me OBJ
serve that il is primary principle Of Democracy |
10 avoid war. These expenses may be great
But what do we get for lheml Land and citi-
gems, and additional commerce! All this we get; |
but these arc as nothing compared with The glory |
and renown we gain from the brilliant achieve |
menls on the battle fields OF Pao Ito and Resaca |
lie la Palma. Abroad, among other nations the |
glory Of those achievements has given fame
more extensive and position more elevated Than
we had ever before possessed. Nothing less Than
such deeds Of valour and renown as have arisen
from this war, could have given US The exalted
r..,.. winch we now hold IN The estimation OF
foreign nations.
Ii would have been we'll enough before enter
ing on this war, before We had declared, in last
June, that state of war existed, 10 have calcu-
lated The probable expense. At least this would
have been an inquiry proper for that time. But
il is too late new, when our national lame has
risen so rapidly and so high, from The yalor OF
our arms on the plains OF those bac-felds, 10
talk oil the expense Of the war. This alone has
more than repaid US Tor all il cost.
Again-the world has seen that in six weeks
$4,000 volunteers could have been thrown on the
extreme border OF The Union, anxious TO brave
The risks and dangers OF the camp and the battle
field TO succor their beloved and needy country.
We have heard OF conscrpons in The old world,
anu vi UlHcI iUcdHS vi leSOIl ~ IdlSG
But in this free country, AT the sound OF the
trumpet, 100000 lreemen would gladly quit |
their homes 10 assert the rights and honor ottheir
country. Monarchs, statesmen and scholars IN
he old world must regard This as an evidence
OF the great virtue OF our citizens, and Of
The strength of our institutions. Men must love
their institutions when they so cheerlully leave
their homes and court danger 10 preserve and de-
lend them.
49,
and with the assent Of Virginia. This subjeci,
which has long threatened 10 involve us IN
more caamous war than the one in which we
are now engaged, is now adjusted. The people
are satisfied and they have gone TO The Pacific.
The territory is ours without danger OF future col
lision.
The Constitutional Treasury, an object startled
for eleven years ago, has been secured; and
complete separation between Bank and Stale ei-
leced. We need have no approximations OF The
money power injuriously affecting our institu
lions The treasury is now under the care Of
the people, BY their own chosen officers free from
the control Of bank influence. Some persons
may think il strange that should thus speak OF
a Bank when in 1882, in the Senate Ci the u.
States. presented memorial Tor The rechauer
OF the U. 5. Bank. The Bank was then a cher
ished object vi th Pennsylvania; and had oten
been instructed 10 vote for its Te-charler The V.
Presluenl now oUeys stIuctiuus, anu TIC always
did it.. He did il recently, and always will CONT
nue. TO do it, Thus he acted with regard to the
Tariff and thus with the Bank.
Again. the Bank, then thought honest, became
a politician; and took arms, not against sea Of
troubles, bu, OF democrats. Then decided demo-
Gratis dealt tunsparing blows, until il has become
in the language Of The 'toas, and of Mr.. Webster,
IAN obsolete idea" Let il alone in its glory.
What more has The last democratic Congress
efIecled2 1t has passed a new tariff. This is |
mol tree trade but il is much nearer TO free trade
than the tariff OF 1912 II is tariff well-digcsted,
honest, kindly and justly dealing. Twenly-eigh |
millions must be raised from The American peo
pe and while this revenue is raised from imposls
there can he nosuch thing as free trade. Butthe
tariff Of 1916 reduces The taxes Of the people, and
takes IRON The tariff Of 1912 lis odious, unequal,
anu deceiliul provisions. Minimum and sp, cific
duties are abolished, and The great principle of ad
raLorenl substituted This latter mode Of assessing