The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-11-05

l.. al,
f. HAYWOOD,
c. p. TALIAFERRO,
B. ID. TURNER,
BOBT. H. ARCHER,
Committee OF Invitation.
Gen GIDEON j. Pillow.
COLUMBIA, September IS, ls4s.
GENTLEMEN Your letter of the 18th inst, inviting me,
behalf of the democracy Of Haywood county, TO par
take of public barbecue, TO- be given on the 9Th OF Oc-
the shortness of the me and my continued disability
from the effects of my last wound, put II out OF my power
TO meet and exchange greeting with the democracy OF
your portion OF the State
concur with you in the sentiment, 'that the of
democracy is the cause of our country" That such is
the opinion of the great body of the American people is
proved by its repeated uiumphs and Its at the
ballot box 1t is indeed remarkable, that with the
cepon of about twelve years, the government should
have been administered, from its first organization, upon
democratic principles No stronger proofs could be ad-
duced of the general prevalence of democratic opinions
The present administration of the general government
has been the most successful in its policy-the most
brilliant in great achievements and the most GLORIOUS In
our annals, and yet has been thoroughly demo
cratic No preceding administration has been able put
the government under the operations OF the Uhoe demo-
cratic creed.
10 our country, to the of human liberty that
present Chief Magistrate should be succeeded by states
man, equally wise in policy, enlightened in deberation
and energetic action Our present standard bearer is
statesman distinguished for his talents, great expert
ence varied learning his purity of life, and his intimate
acquaintance with domestic policy, our foreign rea-
tons, and the workings of institutions If doubts
his at any time existed they are dssated by
the developments of public opinion showing that every
where the current OF popular favor Is setting IN favor OF
the democracy
The political party opposed 10 us. is, party, den
teal with that which opposed the government in the war
with England in 1872 Many of its leaders have in the
war with Mexico endeavored to embarrass the govern
nent, to hwat its measures and to cripple its energies
aid anucn IN 10 IL mart nm
posed the acquisition of Louisiana. the annexation OF
Texas and the acquisition Of New Mexico and Califor
MA Its policy has led it at all times TO restrict the
of freedom"
1t opposed the liberal policy of the government in re-
ducing the price of the public lands TO enable the poor
to get homes for themselves and familieshus rendering
the dependent upon manufacturing labor for sub
sistence, cheapening the price OF labor and fostering
wealthy manufacturing companies has advocated the
establishment of national bank, and opposed the with
drawal from its vaults of the money OF the naton-thus
concentrating the vast of the wealthy, organz
ing them into political engine dangerous to public lib
ery, and adding its the treasury Of the nation
increase It's profits and extend Its power and influence
1t would corrupt the policy, trampe upon the rights OF
the States, and reduce them TO the condition OF medcants
upon the federal treasury. by distributing the proceeds of
the sales OF the public lands.
II would bankrupt the federal treasury by assumption
OF the State debts.
With redundant treasury, it advocates high protec-
tive tariff thereby taxing the consumers (nne tenths)
Tor the benefit of the manufacturers.
Ii maintains that the federal government has the const
tuonal power OF constructing works OF internal I'M
provement in the States and advocates the policy OF
adopting an extensive system thereof producing thereby
collisions between the federal and State governments,
which must result trampng the rights OF the former
under the colossal foot OF federal power.
Ii has az all times shown itself opposed to extending
the sc freedom of the elective franchise" Indeed,
strong its aversion 10 the equality of political rights"
that it dared, in the States of Rhode Island and Nor
Carolina, and in this OF political regeneration, to
maintain property qualification for the exercise of this
birtbrgh OF reemenfeers imposed by the charter of
British king and by the kindred policy OF federal wings.
hnla IN Ifc
tendencies If carried out, i, would concentrate The
powers of the States into central head, which, by alb
Sorbng the federatlve principles, would become in the
end monarchy, at first elective, but soon hereditary
the natural form OF monarchy II is so essential depar
lure from the ancient simplicity and purity of our nsu
tons, is corrupng to public virtue, and much at
war with the freedom of the elective franchise that if
we're monarchist in principle, would advocate and
support lis measures as tending rapidly and certainly to
the esabshmento moneyed arsocracy closely asslm-
lated to the British monarchy
The decension OF governments is ordinarily gradual
the causes OF decay so hidden-that generation
passes away before the public mind peceves the evils
OF any given system OF measures. In the duration OF
governments centuries years IN the lives OF indi-
viduas; and the corrupng tendencies in governments
ike vice disease IN the human system Is never seen
until has fastened itself upon the system It's tnen
100 late expect successful application OF remedy
whatever eoraps public virtue changes pubic opnon
Gent Greece; was so with republican Rome and will
be so with republican America, under the influence OF
similar causes With monarchy corruption exists with
immunity to government because II is part OF the system
Rnt rennbcs must be pure else degeneracy nsvitoNe
All history teaches this truth From it should derive
y;sdom and guard our institutions with anxious care
gainst the first approaches Of the insidious foe No
earthly power from witoM shake this confederacy;
out factions may. So NAL systems OF administration may
corrupt public vrtue-change public opinion-and as
certainly destroy government in the end, will building
tumble into ruins when you remove the foundations
The price of popular liberty perpetual vigilance in the
eople" Men mutually disposed to augment their
,ower and extend their influence the heart prone
10 do euH.
To preserve our institutions in their purity me PeoPe
must keep perpetual watch those intIus.eo WIN
he powers OF government II they exceed the power
or abuse their trust they should at once DC dsh
So when those who seek their confidence ana s.A 70 "