Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-08-20
AnotI.cr vindication OF Geo. Nj. DSsfins.

Mr.. Dallas, in letter addressed 10 a committee of
Philadelphia gentlemen, who congratulated him on
lis casting VOTE thus discourses. The sentiments Of
the letter are of the nobest character and most ha
PLY expressed:
WASHINGTON, August I, 1876
Gehtemen-Your letter dated tie 18th July, nu-
merousy signed by my neighbors and friends is en-
titled to the expression of my grateful acknowledge
men,s
The casting vote given by the Vice President. in
the Senate of the United States, the 9th of July
in favor Of the act Of Congress to reduce the duties
on imports, and Of which speaki in terms warm
appreciation, simple and unavoidable of Off
cal duty Every principle Of public conduct upon
which from early youth have acted, every
al dictate Of calmly consulted conscies4e And every
vesx my mind could take Of the best and bro5dest
interests of NY whole country, they TO be af
fectCd by the question submitted for decision, de-
manded that vote. Not to have been called upon TO
give it would have gratfed but when exacicd by
the constitution, in the office whose functions were
assigned tome BY the Amerieap peoples tahave cow
cred and hesitated beforethe statesmen and patriots
in whose presence stood, or anywhere would have
been sort of reimbursement and degradation to
which no earthly consideration allure me- gave
that vote, because not to have given it, would wound
my conscience, wound my selfrespect, wound my
principles and incurably wound my country. claim
no praise for it the fact that ii had an appearance of
whom | was born and have long toiled made it pain
full but il belonged TO the place. was evoked by cir
cumstances, and became inevitable.
1t was inevitable, if for no other reason, because
had openly in the face and to the knowledge of the
whole country at The moment | consented TO he n
candidate for the Vice Presidency promised the
majority of the people who should elect me. had
assened the conditions instructions of the can
vass Of 1S44-assented in writing-and that assent
has been disseminated wherever the democratic press
could penetrate. did so more than once; and hav-
inc done so, scrupuously and vigorously absained
from participating in the election On public
casion did it become necessary proper for even
to allude 70 the tSpc-o tariff The Presidential
candidate, Mr. Polk, in his letter to our t0wnsman
Mr.. Kane, very properly took his own particular
oaaESe. j had no course TO take about IT, having
given a comprehensive pledge TO abide by the sense
of majority, and the matter of tariff being ex-
pressly and emphatcally involved in the binding
solutions of those who, without the slightest know
ledge, or expectation, or desire my pert, profered
the nomination for my acceptance. As good faith in
public men cannot be dispensed with, and is not to
be evaded by sophiStrcs the people, well south as
north, west east, having taken me at my word and
elected me, have fulfilled the pledge. ! should
have felt covered with dishonor as with garment
had done otherwise.
The two interesissofS PENNSYLVANIA, about which
much anxiety was manifested, the iron and coal in
terests, will not sincerely hope and believe expe-
rience the ipi.sss feFetod. But is it possible that
our upwriglt commonwealth can for one moment de-
mand that officer elected by the suffrages of the
people of all the weny-eight States, and bound by
his oath and every constitutional obligation faithfully
and fairly TO represent. in the execution .ofhls high
tristf a<8Sctfzens of all the Union should narrOw
his xEeai sphere and act with reference only to her
peculiar Wis7Iess To inculcate such a doctrine TO
Pennsylvania is something more than useless it is
derogatory to her. The pages of her history are
crowded with proofs that she perfectly understands
a.
which she Gems TO derive no benefit which she is not
willing TO share equally with any member of the
federacy. To bind bend President or Vice Pre-
sident to disregard the general will, and the objects
Of national policy, in order TO subserve exclusively
her special will and her local policy would manifest
in my humble judgment, degcneracy of sentiment
to which Pennsylvania, never hasaeseHledand never
can descend.
Ii is bare Justice TO tie feelings of some Of you and
of many much esteemed neighbors and political oppo-
nents to say, without claiming for 1t the slightest
merit, that lstz 5Neress position prescribed by the
Constellation to the Vice President as regardssfat'
ters Of legislation, omitted effort which personal
intercourse and conversation enabled to make,
with view 10 bring about such changes and mOdif-
cations in the bill would, compatiby with the par
amount purpose of the people, soften its apparent RI
pors These efforts failed-failed from causes over
which Radsno control,sand of which have right
to complain and having failed, 1t would be useless,
if not wrong, to detail them. They are adverted TO
only assurance that, personally, would do any
thing honorable and fair to shield friend associ-
ate from unnecessary harm, while officially, must
and will do my duty with undiscrminating nlexi-
blity.
1t is not my desire IN tins letter of acknowledge
ment, to vindicate the new and enlarged system of
co amercial intercourse which the American people
have determined to enter upon. Towards that system,
however, no observing man avoid seeing that all
Chrstendom, if by Simultaneous impulse, is rapid
" tending. 1t is the offspring of expanding Liberty
and prolonged Peace; and | feel such unwavering
confidence in the enterprise skill, spirit hardihood,
and perseverance, Or my countrymen, that | cannot
doubt however severe the sacrifice involved in be-
ginning may be- that the end of generous and uni
yersal competition must be their triumph all the
rest of the world.
am, truly and respectfully,
Your fellow citizen and friend,
G.. Nj. DALLAS
| To Athanasius Ford, George Guer Richard Pcliz,
1 IL.