Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-09-07
ADDRESS
OF THE
WHIG STATE CON VENTION
10 The People Of Rhode Island.
Fellow CITIZENS
C0nchtacd.)

FELLOW CITIZENS
(C5nchacd.)
General Cass belligcrent in tcmper--anxious
that "t The hearts Of The American people should
be prepared for war"-and desirous OF new and
further territorial conquests, if his views are TO
be inferred from the sentiments proclaimed by
his intimate and most confidential political
friend, Senator Hannegan, in the Baltimore
Convention which nominated him, would, II
elected, be likely to pursue course Of policy
calculated TO involve the country in other wars
of aggression and conquest--in other schemes
for the acquisition of foreign territory and the
extension Of slavery. Opposed to the policy OF
protective tariff, deeming 1t wrong and un-
constitutional for Congress 10 legislate upon
the subject of slavery in the territories of the
United States and pledged to the despotc use
of the ueiO p0icer to control the legislation OF
the country, upon this as well as other ques-
tions-nether the friends Of free hbor, nor of
free sOH have anything to hope, but every thing
to dread. from his elevation TO power Hav-
ing pocketed immense sums of the public mon
ey, as ertra aHOCances, in addition TO the or
dlnary liberal compensation, fixed by law, for
the payment Of his official services, in high Of
fees through long series of years, he appears
to be unwilling that the people of the Wes,
should receive portion Of their own money
from the public Treasury for the purposes Of
the highest national lmportance-the improve
ment Of their rivers and harbors. Tie seems to
have been too much engaged in looking up old
musty claims for alledged ertra services and in
maturing plans for higher official elevation, TO
consider at all the just claims OF his fellow cit
liens for even moderate and reasonable appro-
priaiions for the public good. He has grown
too rich by fortunate speculatons in the public
lands, which high official situations under the
government gave him undue advantages over
others 10 pursue, to care now for the p0Or tout
men, who navigate, at the imminent perll OF
their lives, the ObstruCicd riUerS of the W est,
or to feel at all distressed at the constant los
ses by shipwreck, which the small farmers
and traders of that section are suffering from
the same cause.
The most uniformly successful military man
whom his country produced and covered all
over with laurels, won in long hard and peril
Gus public service, General Taylor, mo testify
turns away from the dazzling glare Of military
glory, and seeks in The cherished and well paid
industry and increased prosperity of his coun-
try, to advance the arts and secure the happier
triumphs Of peace. With no ambition to fill
even the highest Office in the gift of his fellow
citizens, but all the time declaring that he would
rather that they would select some other man
for President, he yields at last, from high
sense of dlty 10 heir CuH, frankly aNowlng the
principles which viii govern his official CON
duct, but sternly refusing to give any dlshon-
orable pledges which shall compromise IN the
least his Independence or bind him TO any
merely party objects. He has not travelled
through the large cities with long Senatorial
re,nue, to attract pnblic attention or endeavor
to enlist popular support. He remains quiet
and calm al his cottage home on the Mlsssslp-
pi, apparently one of the most unconccrncd IN
diyi!uals in the land in relation To the result of
the political canvass which is now so strongly
exciting all the rest Of his countrymen. lie
even modestly declines to receive the honors
which he has 50 hardly earned and which his
grateful countryIncn unanimously awarded
him. Upon the recent interesting occasion OF
the presentment of a goH mc6dl by the State OF
Louisiana" as a testimonial OF his great SER
vices on the ever glorious battle field of Buena
Vista" General Taylor in an cXlempor1neous
speech Of great eloquencG and beauty, SAID X
=" 1t is true there were high and gallant
deeds done on the heights of BucRa Vista, apt
noble and precious blood drenchcd the parcheJ
earth and stained for many long step lis crag
gy borders but gentlemen, Of the glory won
then ! have never claimed more than Il sol
der's share. The honor TO lead in the fight
was a high one, and that | faltcrcd not IN tins
duty, in this wa,chiul and responsible place,
was enough to satisfy my ambition. Duty was
the star of my attraction, and to do II | would
bring al all times all my strength to prostrate
opposing barriers. In performing this duty
small portion of glory has fallen on the army
under nv command then let II rect not on me.
Other men, with an equal heart and purpose,
doubtless could have done as well as !. My
comrades in many battles since have iesllhcd
to this by their skill and courage, and they,
like myself. know full well how much s due TO
subaltcrns and the rank and file
Thcmstocles, al the great battle OF SqldnH,
gained the most signal victory, considering The
vast inequality of the opposing forces, record
cd in ancient history, but was banlshed by the
Athenlans for approprlatlng To himself all the
Inor of that splendid achievement Goncr'l
1ayor al the battle of Buena Vista, though
not falling whit behind the distinguished
Athcnian hero in the brilliant success which,
against an opposing force of five to one OF hIs
own, crowned the American arms, with
graceful modrsty and dlslnicrcstcdness, which
confers upon him higher honor than the veto
~ itself, gives all the glory to the brave sol
dicrs and subordinate officers under hls com
mand. But these gallant subaltcrns IN the.
army Of General Taylor will not receive it
" Capi. Bragc, ~ hose name a single ordcr
of his mobile chief at Bucna Vista, has rem
dcrcd as immortal as his country's history
whose death dealing grape drove back the CON
fdcnt aud lmpetuous hosts ol Santa Anna, and
turned the tide Of battle on that hard fought
field, being. on the Ith of July last, presented
with a sword by the citizens Of Mobile, IN re-
ply TO the speech of presentation, sand =
+" Passing by the incidents of Fort Brown
and Monterey, to which YOU 81 eloquen,ly al
ludcd, | NAV be pardoncd for saying, ~ refer
encc to the more memorable field Of Bucna
Vista. that the credit which has been awarded
me for the part performed by my command on
that occasion has had It's origin IN the dlsn-
tercsiedncss and generosity Of our noble old
Chief. who is ever ready to bcstow on others,
the honor Justly due to himself To General
Taylor, and to hlm alone, t,longs all the glory
Of that achievement. And but express the
universal opinion Of those who served under
him. in saving that no oibcr bring man could
hare obiainod that isotory. So great was the
confidence reposed IN him by his troops, and
no other could have commanded II, that his
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