Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-10-20
From the Ohio Statesman.
George M. Dallas.

marked the late visit of the Vice President
at Pittsburgh; and seldom has ,here been. q
more striking instance Of that wisdom,
which, disregarding local feeling, tempora- /
~ interests, Ind present clnmor, seeks for
the general good, content patiently TO await
the sober second thought ofthe people.
When the tariffof ls46 was before the
Senase,= and q its fate 1 depended upon the
casting vote Of the Vice President. all eyes
were turned upon him. A son of Pennsyl-
vania,1 his future career supposed in a great
measure to depend upon the protective In
terests which hadaong held sway in that
State; embarrassed by unwise pledges OF
short.sighted politicians. with the two Sena'
tors, and the entire delegation of the lower
house, save one, hostilely arrayed against
the measure, e,-the question passed anxious
" from mouth to mouth, is the Vice Presi-
dent man for the crisis? He was. And
for a time the howl of disappointment, and
the threatenings of rage were heard ABOVE
the shouts Of appreciation. He was-ano
while threatsa and murmurs have sanK 10
low whispers, the voice OF approval mas
sweiled until its tone fills the land, mark
ing George NJ. Dallas as man ever ready
for the times and the occasion. In no place
was condemnation louder than in Pits
burgh even among his own political friends,
and never was there a franker and more
graceful confession Of self error. and a just.
or tribute 10 the wisdom and sagacty OF
another than was paid by Mr.. McCandleSs
in his welcome to the Vice President
On Saturday, the 18th ult, great meet
ing was held in Pittsburgh, which was I'D
dressed BY the Vice President. His re-
marks should be read at length by every
one. But there are some passages worthy
of fspecial note. After complimentary re-
marks and local illusions TO Pittsburgh, Mr..
Dallas proceeds to consider some of the
principal topics Of the day, setting out with
this declaration, consistent with his past
conduct and worthy Of m American states
man:
81 have no secrets to keep from the A.
n.errican people, in relation to any subject
claiming their attention. Holding prom.
inent station in the government, it is OF
course expected of me that will state
frankly my views on all subjects which
their servants may be called upon to act;
and do this cheerfully, without regard to
whether they shall be generally accepted
by those who hear me or not. They are
tho honest convictions Of my own mind. If
they shall square with the sentiments of
those who hear me will be pleased: if not,
we must continue to disagree; and | i'm
peach not the honesty of purpose of those
who differ in opinion from the great demo-
cratic party, with which act"
He proceeds to discuss the tariff, the
Mexican war, its origin, progress, and con:
sequences, in, clear and satisfactory man
ner; and then approaches what will soon
be the most embarrassing question that has
arisen in our government-the w limo
Proviso. Space will not here admit OF hi
whole remarks, without which justice t
him canno, be done, but we cannot torbea
q quotation in part:
..What shall we do with the Witn1o
Proyiso! For me. hold myself IN readl
ness for the crisis, whenever it shall b
presented even. should be compelled
from my position, to give another terribl
casting cote! shall carefully examin
the subject, weigh well the able argument
on both sides of the question, which may 3
presented by the giant intellects of ou
country, and reserve to myself the right t
do as think right, when the time ma
come for action.
.There is but one political course whic
u man can take, in safely to his conscienc
that course is q strict adherence to tn
constitution. That is the charter by whic
10 determine our powers. That is the CON
pass by which alone we can safely steer ou
political barqne.' .-e..--.s
Against the proposition Of compromis
he is decided, and thus expresses his view:
"But we hear, in some quarters, muc
talk OF what is called compromise. ar
or that old school Of democrats who wi
never compromise, the Constitution of m
country. This is one Of the words not t
be found in that instrument. 1t was itse
result OF compromise; but, once havin
become thing of shape, of life, OF spiri
then all compromise was at an end.
was q settled principle positive rule
thing which might bs broken; but havin
no materials in it which were capable {
being bent. In it nre to be found oil tn
provisions for cur government, and if yo
wish for other provisions. you cannot pl
them there-unless in accordance with i
provisions. At the time of the admissio
Of Missouri into the Union | found the sam
sentiment very generally prevailing
some sections. had the same opinion
then on this subject that | have now; and j
the midst of the agitation then mani(es
thero were many who could not see wher
the agitation would end Then men g.
together and talked OF compromises, on
made compromises, ond one half insisted o
what they had no right to ask, and the otl
er half submitted to that which they shoul
never have submitted to. Any such sy
tenn as this il calculated gradually to u,
dermine the Constitution. Far better woul
be en- instantaneous change in is provi
ions, by Convention, than any compromis
whatever inconsistent with that inst:umel
ITSELF"
While avowing his intention, as it is |,
duty, to await the discussion, weigh the a
guments, and decide as he "may thin
Fight when the time comes for action;
guided by So strict adherence to the col
stitution, and resolved that he'' will nev'
compromise the Constitution of his countr.
the present inclination Of his own mind
thus expressed: ......
HT'he very hest thino which cnn he don,