The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-10-28
pIr. Dallas. speech Al Ho,,,a.y.bu,..

D.,
entirely exempOraneous, and il is not wonderful that IN
writing it out at this tme excellent the speech
publish is, that should fall behind the eoquence and
spirit of the original"
Ma. DALLAS said
II is not possible for me, sir, to convey, by words. to
ings excited in my breast by this unexpected and over
flowing manifestation OF welcome. AS public servant
cannot be insensble TO such proof of unimpaed
fdence and appreciation; individual, | pro-
foundy sensible that it far ranscends my deserts and
that its ovepowering character leaves resource
but short and heartfelt declaration of gratitude and
thanks.
Sir, sentiment of thankfuness is genial TO us all Just
now. The times are marked by public and pervadng
blessings, which gladden. the heart OF every patriot In
the course OF short Journey have written upon the
very face OF our noble commonwealth the ncontestible
truths of prosperity happiness content All her instu-
tons are ourishing all her public works productive,
all her industrial interests thriving her farmers her
traders her iron and coal miners, her wool growers her
manufacturers and mechanics, are all, sir, with the
moneyed capitalists themselves, whose stocks and other
MISUNDERSTANDING in railroads, canals, assurances,
factories or even banksyied remunerating dividends
all ALL sir, are full OF activity confidence and EMULATION
have seen it beneath the thick cloud of smoke issuing
from the countless FORCES and foundries of great
western workshops: have seen the flock recovered
slopes OF ashingtoH and the rich fluctuations OF West
moreIand-l have ii amid the teeming coal pits OF
the MOnOngahela and your neighbOrlng mountain:
have seen itheard il acknowledged by men of every
shade Of political opinion is reality as palpabe as it
is glorious Pennsylvania never has witnessed period
OF greater actual prosperity or OF pouder promise God
grant that nothing may disturb her progress
diminish her abundance.
This deineation, sir need not be restricted to the
State; it is applicable to whole country, to every
part Of whole country. The southern planter, the
western farmer and the eastern spinner, with the
chant at every port, proclaim its justice
do not pretend to tell you the causes of this great
ward and upward movement; much less am willing to
ascrbe to any single measure of national policy 1t is
the manifest destiny of the Free intelligent, and vru-
GUS people OF America when wisely governed through
the action OF equal and liberal laws Their destiny
IUh no.
thing can mar or impede but narrow, liberal, and OPP
pressive legislation.
faering, to advert to the course of my public life
explanatory of your unexpected and generous
cepton 1t is certainly true that my sympathies and
timents have always sided with the democracy; it
is true also, that the instant the Bank of the Uni
ted States threw ITSELF with all its means and motives to
corrupt, into the arena of political struggle ranged
myself adently and actively on the side of the than
Roman Tribune, under whose repeated blows it finally
fell and is true that when recently Vice President
called upon to fulfil the obligations Of my Office to re-
OF the nation and to decide between the rights of labor
and the privileges of classes, gave the casting vote Sir
there is no merit in all any Of this Many thousands
of fellow citizens, the two first points, pursued
the same course and to the third point notwhsand
ing the vrulent and wreched attacks made by factous
there is an honest American democrat and scarcely
honest American federalst, who in the official, po
itica and personal position, would hesitate in giving
that casting cote. come not here, however any
where to explain, justify. or uphold that is
an indelble portion Of the history and policy of our
are; but this will say that he who can look at the
wonderful happy effects. domestic and foreign which, in
single years trial, have flowed from the tariff of 1885,
of him. very inaccessible to the feelings of patriotism
Our horizon is dimmed but by single. small cloud
SO small as In no respect to have obstruced the general
prosperity to which have referred. 1t is nevertheless
cloud which the political pilot must keep wary eye.
It is the Mexican war. Under any circumstances, war
is calamity be avoided whenever it can be avoided
wi SAT efy nd
ciey breaks into the domestic relations and private pur
suits of life, inspires unchrisan passions and out
especially hostile its tendency republican and simple
institutions and habits Still, this calamity some
times be encountered With all its evils, is hundred
fold better than national dishonor However bitter and
poisonous may be, it is purifying nectar compared to
the lOathsOme and noxous drug OF cowardy disgrace
Our By pd ai
righteous contest to protect SOIL the lives and property
OF citizens, the security and union of the States
Commensurate with the justice of has been the
victorious progress OF our arms UNTIL at last defeating
our enemy at the very walls OF his capital may
pect from the instinct of selfpeservaon the ndemnes
we have right to exact and the honorable peace for
which we have fought
Let but an honorable peace close this brilliant war,
and none will regret the treasure expended in its posecu
ton. Let but gallant soldiers return to their homes
their brows bound with victorious wreaths, and bear
ing in their hands the embems of conquered peace and
who will count the cos' rejoice at the prospect which
the recent accounts opena prospect hch closes the
once, upon terms fair to the American people, and
not humiliatlng 10 the Mexcans Sir, we Pennsylva-
mans have cause to feel pride incident which
marked the very latest battle of which have heard
and which, know has not yet reached your read it
of victory by one of our best and bravest officers
company of artillery, attached to the command of
Col. Duncan, was led on to attack the only remaining
and unsenced battery Of the enemy, by Captain Simon
Drum, of Greensburg. He rapidly successul-drove
the enemy from their guns, and bore away in triumph
the very two which had been snached by Santa
Anna from our forces at Buena Vista, and which had
been forwarded to the Mexican metropolis trophies of
valor. Thus Pennsylvania has redeemed from the
foe the only spoil he could even affect TO have torn from
Gen Taylor
# is said sir that this yet unfinished foreign not
the only speck upon national horiZon-that do
mesic tranquility is Swallowed by dark and threaten
ing cloud rapidly rising and spreading and that the bolt
forging, if not launching, which, aimed at the domestic
institutions and equal rights of southern sister States
must penetrate the parchment of constitution
and shake the confederacy into fragments. few
words sir, upon this interesting topc and have done.
Let us not be alarmed at any matter which, however
apparently porenous, exclusively to be controlled by
the American people Theyme just and a wise people
They have entered into the national compact and will
maintain lis obligations the sctness OF the letter and
the ulness of the spirit They have long felt, and well
know, not merely the benefits but the positive political
necessity of the Union.
There questions of public and social order
which the trainers of the constitution and the people of
the respective States who ratified it, intended to
submit, and have not submitted to the decision of
gressiona majority Had they done so, the wholesome
sectional equpoise and the essential sovereign equality of
the members of the conederacy would, at once, have
been made to yield to the spirit and power of consolda-
ton. Whatever congressional majority has right
fha nff ha ifuf,op IN,