Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-08-21

Correspondence 6etsCeeD the Hon. George H.
Dallas and his Constituents On tie subject of
his Casting 0ote.
We copy the following from The philadel-
phla Pennsy lvanian:
PHILADELPHIA, July asth, 1916.
To the Hon. George M. Dallas;
Vice President Of the United States:
Sir:-The fate of the new Tariff bill being
decided by your casting vote yesterday, in the
Senate Of the United States, we seize the ear
Hest moment, as your personal and political
friends, and as the friends of the tolihK mil.
lions Of this great Republic, to congratulate
you on your unfinching adherence to Demo-
cratic princIples-especIally to that cardinal
points ''the greatest good to the greatest hunts
ber"-at moment, too, when every eye was
directed towards you-when large mass of
intelligence and local interest was enlisted and
exerted in the antagonist canse, and when it
required the deseTtion even of two Senators
to throw the whole responsibility upon your
single vote. Assuring you that we are GER
tain the maj orty of the American people will
thank and honor you for this noble act q! Ro-
man frmnc So, SO seldom known in these mo-
dern times of ''prlnciple in proportion to inter.
est" and which act aids in creating law for
the equal benefit of the whole people, whilst
it sustains President and his Administra-
ton, whose every deed has been designed for
the honor, prosperity, and happiness of the
whole nation.
1t is true, the workings of your political
foes may create momehtary agitation against
you, but remember 1t Is not the first time that
you have wilhstood their harmless missiles
and fruitless assaults, and now we confidently
predict, that the great agricultural interest
the paramount interest of the land-will have
reason to rejoice at the frmness of your course,
and the independence with which it was ex-
ercsed, and place you, by exclamation, on the
list with Jefferson and jackson, who out-lived
every breath of Islander, and whose memories
are cherished in the hearts of millions of free
men.
We have the honor to be, with great res
pect, your friends and fellow citizens.
l'The above is signed by nearly two hum
Edred citizens Of Philadelphia, and the follow
fng is the Vice Presidents repIy.l
WASHINGTON, LIST August, l846.
Gentlemen :-Your letter dated 29th of Jua
3, numerously signed by my neighbors and
Friends, Is entitled to the expressions of rny
greatfn acknowledg ements.
The casting vote given by the Vice Presi-
tent, in The Senate of the United States, on
the 9th OF July, in favor of the act of Con-
rress to reluce the duties On imports and of
Which yOn speak in teruIs of warm approba-
ton, was simple and unavoidable act of Of
Gcia4 duty. Every principle Of public con-
duct upon Which from early youth have ever
acted, every moral dictate Of a camly CO. "
ed conscience, and every view my mind could
take of the best and broadcast interests of my
whole eonntry, as they were to be affected by
the Question submitted for decision, demand
ed that vote. Not to have been called upon
to give It wouid have sratihed me; but when
sxacted BY the constitution, in the office whose
functions We're assigned to me by the Amerl-
can people TO have covered and hesltated be-
fore the statesmen and patriots in whose pre-.
senre | stood, or any where. would have been
a sott Of reimbursement and degradation to
which no earthly consideration can allure me.
gave that vote, because not 10 have givon it
would wound my Conscience. wound my sell.
respect, wound my principles, and incurably
wound my country. claim no praise for it;
the fact that 1t had an appearance of unkind-
ness towards many of the community AMONG
whom I Was born and have long toiled, made
1t painful but it bslonged to the place, was
evoked by circumstances, and became insvl-
table.
It was Inevitable, if for no other reason, be-
cause had openly, in the face and to the
knowledge of the whole country. at the mo-
ment consented to be acandidate for the Vice
Presidency, promised it to the majority of the
people who should elect me. had assehted
to the conditions of instructions Of the canvass
of lS44-assented III writing-and that as.
sent has been disseniin tied wherever The dem
ocratic press could penetrate. did 80 more
than once and having done SO. scFupulonsly
and vigorously abstained from participating In
the elestion. On nc public occasion did II
become necessary OF proper for me even to all
lude to the topic Of Tariff. The Presiden-
tiaI candidate. Mr.. Polk, in his letter to OUT
townsman. Mr.. Pane, very properly took his
own particular course. had no course to
take about 1t, having given comprehensive
pledge to abide by the sense of majority, and
the matter Of Tariff bsing expressly and en-
phaticalIy involved in the binding resolutions
of those who, without the slightest knowl-
edge, or expectation, or desire on nv part
profered the nomination for my acceptance
AS good faith IN public men canavssbe dis
pensed with, and is not to besevaded hHf SO:
phistries, tie people, as WelE south as forth,
west as east, having taken mest my word and
elected me- have fulfilled the pledge.
shonld have felt covered with Dish onot as with
garment, had done otherwise.
The twoelnterests of Pennsylvania, abou
which much anxiety was manifested, the iron
and coal interests. will not, sincerely hope
} and believe, experience the injuries foretold
Bat, is it possible that our upright common
wealth can for one moment demand that an
officer, elected by the SURFACES of the people
IS oil hA a. ~ mi
his oath and every constitutional obliga on
faithfully and fairly to represent, in the exc.
cu:ion of his high trust, all the citizens of all
1.-The Union, should narrow his great sphere aud