Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-07-31
vice President Dallas.

q
cessy Tor arse that this gentleman would give the cast
ing vote he has done, favor Of the Tariff Bill
We have doubted 1t. notwithstanding our knowledge.
that the whole OF his long political
the period Of his unexpected nomination at Baltimore
ls44 candidate for the office which he now fills, he
he'd been a constant UNIFORM jealous. Incorporating
champion Of Protective Tariff, and that he nomina-
Ted with full knowledge OF that fact We believed that
MIR Dallas would for the bill, Notwithstanding the
pledge 10 which he refers his catory speech (Which
though said he taken by SURPRISE he had
already written out) of sequiescenee in the principles en-
bodied in the resolutions Of the Baltimore Convention did
not bind him to the support OF such law as that which
been enacted by his vote. We were aware, indeed
that his Democratic friends in Pennsylvania would make
every effort to persuade and alarm himtha they would
appeal both to hopes and his fears-hs, they would
point his former evidences OF devoted attachment to the
protective policy, and mPOre him no, to mar the eonsis
tency OF long political life by decreeng its overthrow
Bot aware, Also Of the couneracung influences
necessarily work him TO the performance OF
the deed II his STATE should repudne him renegade
alike his old opinions and to her vital interests he was
told that PARTY would than compensate him for the
osacism, by cherishng him its future idol, and BY
heaping upon him brilliant gifts. The compare
lively mesgre in the power Of State to bes'ow
were coutrasted with the high offices the disposal OF
triumphant Party, and the bitter and uneenng denunei-
ations Of political associates were held IN terrorem
over his head should he refuse, this great crisis
10 yield their rigorous eKacuons. he thrunk
from the denuneiatons which awaited him. had
he acted upon the convictions of his iudg.
,nent and sustained the interests Of his State. lie
qualed before the upfed knout which he had but
day or two before applied with Russian babarity the
back OF Senator from North Carolina, who refusing
surrender deep and honest conviction at the behest OF the
party had withdrawn from n distinguished position,
eror ear,h the representative of OF the
States OF this Conederacy and returned to the walks OF p
Sae life Aspiring TO the Presidential Chair he could well
hazard the loss of confidence and esteem in the contract
ed limits Of his State if he might win the applause and
support Of that large party the Union in order
secure the support of which for the office that he fills,
he gave that pledge which he refers Of binding
obligation upon him in his action upon this great question
pledge which, though far narrower in Its scope than,
for obvious reasons, he affects to regard it, still
much broader than could have been honestly given
who had never before beahed syllable opposition 10
the protective system, the establishment Of which
the and enduring basis he had deveted long
years Of labor. Read, for example, the following:
Extract from a Speech of Mr.. Dallas TanG 1891
81 am inAeIble. sir nothing but adequate protec
finn The process Of attaining that may undergo
Iaou Secure that the home labor OF this country and
our opponents shall have far voice and suffrage
give II TO them carte blGRehs whereon settle any
arrangement adjustment their intelligence may suggest
IL might have been expected not unreasonaby that they
who desired change should tender their oe that they
would designate noKious particulars and intimate their
remedies they would invoke the skill and assistance OF
pracuca aud experienced observers on subject with which
lew OF US are familiar, and point with precision such
parts of the extensive system be modified without
weakening endAngering the whole structure They have
forborne do this. They demand an entire demolition
FREE TRADE the burden OF their eoquenee the golden
fleece of their adventurous enteprze the goal short Of
which they will pause breathe cannot Join
their expedition for such object An established policy
coeya the language OF President Jackson with
ernmeot-beieved by an immense majority OF our people
10 be constitutional wise, and expedient may be alb
ruptly abandoned by Congress without TREAcHERous de-
part1re from duty shameless derecton Of sacred trust
and confidence To expect II IS both eSuayagant and
kind"
Mr. Dallas, it seems, was formerly "INFLEXIBLE''
on no other subject but the Tariff On that, he
yielding his demand for ADEQUATE PROTECTION" He
could not then unite with the champions Of Free Trade,
and abandon a policy "coevs with goVernment"-
which was, indeed the sign and seal Of national indie
pendenee lie affirmed that Congress could
such proposition without "a neGeAer0us departure from
duty, a sLameleSs dereetion OF sacred and conf
denee." II prophet could have told Ithis
mary bidder he auction OF popularity" in 1882, that
this day. he would be leagued with the Free Trade party
IN this act Of teasherytha the advocate Of adequate
protection would by his destroy the system which
he then proclaimed he nAeSiby" devoed-he might
well have asked Indignantly, IL hy dog that
he should do this hing7"
But will Mr.. Dallas obtain the "reward" which he
doubtless anticipates for thus esping into the gulf ike
Curt.us save de stroy his couny7 Never Sen.
ator Cameron addressed 20 him a warning To which be
would have mad he turned and con
fdinR ear. Alter reminding him Of the "hags and ban
ners" pledging the party support the tariff Of 1872
which M the posn Of l544, every where borne
in procession Pennsylvania and the strong assurances
made to her people the Of the election Of Polk
and Dallas that great would be pessrved-atsr
telling him that, but for these assurances he would not
now occupy the Vice Presidential char-he declared that
he could not believe that Mr. Dallas by sustaining this bill
would dishonor the State that gave him birth His hon
orabe name and the connection Of MS ancestry with her
- history forbid IT, has been said, this question IL
pass by the casting Of the Vice President he vii
- not, wise man, adopt bill which no Senator will
- father. Let him be allursd by the voice OF
% hattey from the sunny South. No can be strong
a. abroad Who s not strong at home. Before public man
% sks desperate leap, he should remember that Jtca
ingrauude prospective that the deserton Of home Of
- friends, and d county may be hailed by the winning
party rhsh the traitor carrying ia the flag Of Ais eoua
Try; but when the honor Of the nation whom he has
o served 10 be distributed, are given to him..
fl l. but an act Of justice to Vice President Dallas 10
publish q, lene the remarks with which he prefaced h
vote. This we cheoripy do. Some portions Of thom In
vie comment; bat arc content for the present.
init them readers without further remark
The Senate beng equally divided on the important ques
ton, may be INDUCED IN briefly staung the principal
sons for the vote am required by the Constitution give
Excluded from any participation IN forming or modify
ing tie bill, am bound 20 sanction condemn exactly
~ the shape in which standsThe responsibility is deep
" let u belongs, however. the office SIGNED TO me
BY my iolow-ozens, and will be assumed with ffanknes
nnd, hope not unbecOming hrmnoss. The cOnsequen-
Of my decision, either way may seriously bfec the
county No one can entertain, as TO that proiounder
ciude Bot, after summonng nay sd the best purposes
and brst lights that command the consequences, be
they what they may, must be hazarded
The syse for obainng the necessary 20 sup
pou their government - established directly or indirectly
by the people Of the United States, within the limits aud
agrcchbly the prescribed forms Of tho Constitution
Whatevcr ascorained ~ be their will on the subject oil
should undoubtedly acquosco tn. That ofo are known
sud approved modes by which their will expressed can
be quesonedi and the public officer who reads that
will with eandof snd neEny, may esl bssurod ,hst be
conforms 10 the institutions Of his county when be makes
10 the guide Of bis conduct To my mind amplo proof las
been furnished that maOrity O the people and Of the
Saies desire 10 change 90 great extent principle "
fundamentally, the system heretofore pursued asses
sing che duties foreign imports That majority hss
manifested scf ways and auestcd by he rep
the other House Of Congress whom