The weekly independent. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss) 1848-1853, 1848-03-18


"two dollars a day and roast beef"
for their labor.
But, sir, it has been attempted to
make this party question by cevtain
Democrats on this floor, and they
have held, as they vainly supposed
rod of terror over the heads of
those of US, Democrats) who dare
think for ourselves, for the purpose
OF lashing US into its support. We
have been told by the gentleman
from Clark, as also the gentleman
from Tishimingo, that the failure Of
this bill. will raise the question of
reputation, and that we shall be
held responsible for it. Sir. | know
well the source of these denunciato-
ry threats. They are but the voice
from the White House, echoed by
members on this floor. andhy the sat.
tellites of the tenant ofthat mansion.
who have for the last five days, hung
around the bar of this House, for the
purpose oflnhuencing the fate of this
favorite progeny of his ExceIlency.
No, sir, tell gentlemen once for all,
that ifthey hope 20 drive us from
our honest purpose, by these puerile
threats, they greatly mistake the ma
terial which they seek to mould. If
they have not, they will yet learn,
that we shrink from no responsible
ty, at the sacrifice of principle and
the constitution of orr country, but
court it rather--and if come that
question must, we will meet it with
the natural ruby in our cheeks"
while theirs perhaps, may "blanch
with fear" | tell them that that
question has as few terrors for us,
as has their empty threat OF proscrip-
ton. We can meet it at all times,
in its most gorgon form with steady
nerves.
Sir we are willing this good day to
come up to the question-tax the
people to pay these bonds-and
throw ourselves on the intelligence,
and honesty of our constituents tor
their sanction; feeling assured that
they will not only approve but thank
US tor the act. Reputation is not
the offspring Of the people, but of
politicians; hence we fear nothing.
And | warn gentlemen, now. that
they beware lest Hannah like, they
themselves hang on the galIows
thei7 hands have erected for us-let
the poisoned chalice they commend
to us, be turned to their own lips
Sir, however much deprecate fam
lily brols-however much regret
the necessity forced upon me to shiv-
er lance with political brother,
yet since compelled, since gentlemen
have made the issue since their
Furnished steel so thirsts fol frater>
nal blood, say to them
clay on McDuf,
And damned be him, who first cries. hold
enough"
! defy their threats Of Ostracism.
and contemn that spirit Of dictation
and prescription, which would CONS
pei the sacrifice of principle on the
black altar OF party. Sir, trust that
day may never come, when as a reps
resentati, e OF confding constitu-
ency, | can see theirinterests through
no other than party lenses. When
my eyes are so jaundiced as to dis
cover no beauty or merit in measures
unless marked with party brands;
but that | may in all my acts be
prompted, as hope ] have hitherto
been. by that spirit oflberality and
patriotism. which stops not to inquire
what influence measure may have
on this or that party, but whether it
is for the good of the whole country.
And that so long as | am charged
with the trust now hold, truth may
be my polar star-the constitution
my chart. and an approving con-
science, guided by an enlightened
thought, my compass.