The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-07-08
Whig Meeting at Burlington.
SPEECH OF ABBOTT LAWRENCE.

The hour came and with il multitude OF
people, SO large a multitude that It became
necessary to adjourn from the Court House
to the street. DR.. JoHN PECK was elected
chairman. The Daily Free Press says the
meeting was enthusiastic, and gives brief
synopsis, of Mr. Lowrence's Speech. We
copy from it as follows;
REMARKS OF MR.. LAWRENCE.
MIL, after abiding to his unexpected ar
rest in Burlington, MS he was quietly vending
his way TO Her Majesty's dominions,said that
before speaking OF Taylor and Fillmore, he
wished to say few words on some measures
of public policy on which the well being of
the country really depended,and which were
opposed by the present Administration.
On the opposition of the Administration
to these and other measures of vital impor-
tnnce, he predicaied the necessity of u change
in the Administration, if the present down.
ward tendency would be stopped.
The doctrine of Internal Improvements
was a measure of the highest importance TO
the business and social relations ofthe coun-
try. Rivers and llarbors must be improved
aud rendered secure, so far as the application
of human means can give security. Security
for The vast amount of wealth transported
upon our waters, and for the lives of the
countless thousands of our fellow citizens
that fill our steamboats, and other water craft,
throughout the whole land, is measure in
which all are interested, and which rightly
comes within the province Of the General
Government. The business relations of the
country imperatvely demand, that The atten-
ton ofthe Government be turned to this sub
ject And the social relations of the Coun-
try no less demand IT, For one of the strong
est bonds Of the Union is free, and COM
moiious social intercourse between the diff
farent sections of the land. lie alluded to
our own unfinished Breakwater, as remain
ing in its present state. because of the veto
of President Polk-to the channel of our
Lake near Whitehall as being unimprOved,
from the same cause. James X. Polk was
opposed 10 the will ofthe people, as express
ed in the River and Harbor Bill, that passed
Congress some eighteen months since, and
the people must suffer.
Mr. l.. was in favor ONO hasty legislation on
this subject. lie would have every applica-
ton for improving the rivers or harhors of
our country pass through the crucible OLA
competent board at Washington, before the
notion Of Congress, that Congress may act
inteligently.
Mr. Lawrence next spoke of the duIy of
American Industry, by tariff of
specific duties.
lie was luboring man. lie was not n
man of money. His means were all employ
ed in iurIheriug the great industrial interests
Of the country. Many years of his life had
the remaining yenrs would he spent
m developing the resources of the country. |
lie demanded, not that his personal interests |
should hc projected, but he did demand that
he efforts in progress for developing hiher- |
o undevcloped, or only partially developed
sources of wealth aud prosperity should be
1t was the duly of the Govern |
nent 10 do this. But the present Admnistra-
ion would no; countenance protection 10 A
nerican Industry, would not lend II helping
land TO the development Of resources with !
N the nation.
II has been said from high places, that the
high prices, which Farmers obtained last
'ear for their crops, resulted from the pres |
nj tariff. Why are not agricultural + dncis !
is high now? The same tariff is still law.
This day is corn rolting in store houses, at
he West, because it will not sell for enough
u pay the cost of transportation: and at this
lour, in Liverpool, is flour selling rs cheap
y as ut Burlington. The famine abroad, moi
he tariff, caused the high price of grain.
What farmer wants is a qu;ck cash marked
Il home. Famine may occur abroad. Hut
We tcunt no famine, we need none, to enable
he Farmer to obtain fair price for his crops,
f only the Government will protect the
means in use for developing the resources
# the country by specific tariff.
The question now before the people of the
country is whether General Taylor, as the
Exponent of the great wing doctrines of In
ernul Improvement, and Protective Tariff,
n Lewis Cass as the exponent ofthe con-
entrated recklessness and radicalism of the
LOCO Foco party, shall administer the govern
nent for the next Presidential term.
MIR l.. asserted that General Taylor was a
vhig, staunch wing. He was responsible
or the statement. General Taylor would have
wing cabinet. He was the friend ofHenry
LAY. He was man of strong common
ense, nota visionary, but aprdcticai man, a
nan keen and shrewd in his Judgment of
luman nature. He was man ofhonor, ster-
ing integrity and courage. The political
character of Mr. Cass was one, in which Mir
:. had no confidence. He was visionary,
nd destitute Encourage. When, during Jack
on's administration, there was danger of war
With France, and Cass was secretary of war,
he poor man was so frightened, that he
onld neither eat, drink, sleep, or attend to a.
" business, but was continually running a
'out, asking, with anxiety depicted on every
eature, ifA. b. s. G. really thought there
would be war. He was frightened almost
o death, and Gen. Jackson knew il, and one
morning during the season of Mr. Cass' fright
While calmly smoking his pipe, remarked TO
hat effect to Mr. L.-Gen. Taylor was citi-
en- ola slave state. What though he was?
lie was n citizen of the United States. And
he fact that he was citizen of slave state
vas 70 objection TO him so long as the Con-
titution remained. He who will not vote for
ieneral Taylor, on this ground alone, does,
OF by the refusal of his vote, but by the rea-
on on which that refusal is grounded, virtual
q, ~ L..