The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-10-21
SPEECH or HON. ROBERT RANTOuI., Jr


| At The iopa Hall, IN Salem, oct. g. lSis,
| The familiar faces which see around me persuade me
that we have come back again TO the old times the
power OF the democratic party, which have fondy
hoped was gone is, in fact, fresh lively and like
y to be effective any OF those old contests when
we all stood shoulder to shoulder, and when every
fci showed an accession OF strength. We have come
together tonight to take part in that grand consuta
hon which is now gong on among the free people OF the
whole North American UniOn-a consultation upon one
of the most important temporal concerns that man can
advise upon-the government OF a great nation We
are proposing to take our part In deciding not merely TO
whom that government shall be committed, but what
shall be the nature of that upon what prin
clpes for what measures, with what views and end, II
shall be conducted | know nothing upon the face of
the globe, OF mere temporal nature, that deserves to be
carefully pondered upon jucousy settled, and
enegecay carried out, as the political views which a
man entertans
Now, my friends, we have all of us lived long enough
to see the operations OF two great political systems which
have been contTasted with each other in this country.
One system has been tried and tried long enough,
would think to decide whether If be not the true sys
TEN on which the government of this country should be
conducted. mean that system which the greatest po-
vebut few weeks since, speaks of in the National
Assembly of France, when he refers to democracy and
points TO hatgreat nation, "whee alone it had been free
ly and fully exhibited and where il had wrought out
its natural resuIts-the United States of America" When
the eyes of the Old World turned TO US they are
turned here for answer TO the great question whether
man is, is not, capable of self-government. They
look to us and say, the experiment we trying is the
experiment Of democracy They know our govern
men has been democratic government, carried on upon
democratic principles, and they overlook all smaller,
minor matters of detail and look to the grand results and
say, II democracy be founded in truhf man be capable
OF selfgovernment then shall expect to the North
American experiment successful and if it be not, if de-
mocracy be faseif forever doomed to be govern
ed by those whose selection we have choice,
we shall expect to the North American experiment
fail They look to for decision of the question: not
for only, but for the world, for all mankind and for
all time
Now say-and ask any man that can do so to gain
Isay Sayt at hava cd fho
that the onward march OF republic in greatness glory
and prosperity, in Improvement of every Sort is of itself
of government, and what the best principles for gov
ernment? We have answered, democracy This is
nation that has doubled itself every quarter Of century
since into existence 1t nation that has grown
weather., stronger, and more intelligent and has i'm
proved It's moral and social position in every respect
1t has done this while other nations have BEEN
stationary, and grading it has done it because
of and by means of its peculiar form of government and
its peculiar principles; and they democratic principles
Now, Mr.. President, the government OF the United
States, having been governed upon democratic principles
BY the democratic party, in spite of the opposition, and in
defiance OF the continual and unremed remonstrance of
the party out of power and this having been the for
almost the whole period of about sixty years since
government was established, ! say that he who pro-
poses to change this straightforward course of policy
takes upon himself the burden of proof That is posi-
ton in which sound lawyer, man of common sense
would dare 10 differ from Let him who proposes to
alter our policy, tell us WHY. We :" let wei enough
alone" When we have seen that our form of govern
ment is successful and that principles successful
If any man comes to us and says, this is all wrong,
we ask why, and how is it wrong' To what useful pur
pose do you call upon to change If the government
has managed badly, if it be what some have called it,
the worst government upon the face of Gods EARTH,
then let us change it aye, but If that be true is radi
cal and an essential change which to be gone through
We should fly back to the monarchy of the old world If
led democracy be the worst form of government upon
the face of Gods earth. But we told that gov
eminent has degenerated :; that have
stution desecraled by transforming it into Greek de-
mocracy; the most unstable and corrupt form of govern
ment God suffered to exist hundred years in this
word" and this, because II is democratic! This is
statement of fact and it is to be tried by appeal to the
evidence.
What, then, the measures and what is the course
of policy which government has thus far pursued
successfully, and in career of unparalleled prosperity
And what principles would they substitute What is it
that is wrong What is it tina, is complained Of! The
burden of the proof in this is upon the aintl;
upon him who brings the complaint And what does he
complain Of You told that "the labor of America
should have the market of America You are told that
the labor of the country deserves and should have pro
lection" You are told that there Is such thing
american SYSTEM, and that that system should be fol
lowed out, in order to protect American interests, Very
well all these sounding phrases and could give
such meaning TO each one of these phrases that
should give il my cordial assent 1t is not the words to
which object is the idea cloaked under these words,
and which not the natural meaning of the expressions.
That labor should have the market of America-my
creed goes further than that I say that american labor
should not be confined and restricted to the market Of
america The man who talks of giving and securing to
American labor the market of America generally means
something which he does not say and it is the separa
ton Of the American market from the foreign market;
is the adoption of a system OF restriction which ties
down American labor instead OF extending It's sphere.
How is ths' Let us examine into it a little Sup.
pose restrictions be up between the of
two great nations the effect is just the that of
restrictions up against the free exchange OF products
between individuals. Suppose John, having small
farm cannot raise provisions enough conveniently TO
feed his family, and he is obliged to pinch the men,
bers of his family in their food-lo make them
work very hard, with scanty supplies. On the other
hand Jonathan has large farm, and is able TO
raise food very well, but cannot manufacture cloth
cheap john Suppose John raises thousand BUSH
els of wheat and make thousand yards of
cloth; suppose that Jonathan might do the same We
will then suppose that john taking of some OF the labor
from his farm, which small TO raise crop sufficient
to support them in atluence, should go to work and
make three thousand yards OF cloth; and suppose that
Jonathan, taking off the labor from his manufacture,
should raise three thousand bushels OF wheat and that
then they should exchange The consequence would be,
that each would get wheat and more cloth than
if he had spent half his labor upon one, and hall upon
do best and cheapest, the general product greater
II thus as true Of tpo men, as true Of taco thousand
men; is true Of t,co naonSand there ends the chole
question Of free trade.
Why has Providence made different cmes and different
soils, excepting that should take advantage OF this
diversity In climate bread is raised more cheaply;
let them raise it. In another, cotton grows 10 better ad-
the earth, all the members of Gods family producing
that which will add most to mutual means OF comfort
and happiness Is not that sound doctrine? Why, tits
most despcabe and contemplate doctrine, that says
everything that benefits my neighbor injuries me- and
everything that Injuries my neghbor benefits me; and yet
teal economy of great party of this nation Doyou want
bread cheaper England than she II