Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-09-27

uncomtOrtaDly pacAeuj aHu, AltAe WAAio
after the proceedings commenced, it was
found necessary to organize another meet
inc in the Garden. The utmost good
feeling prevailed from beginning to end.
The Hall was tastefully decorated with
banners, and nearly all emblamatical de-
vices used in the Clay camp were dis
played"
The mottos on some Of the banners
were aJustice to Harry Of the West
aFaithful to the faithful. Clay and Fill
more,'' aAmong the Faithless, Faithful
only he" Protection to American Indus
try,' &c., all Of which went to show their
determination Of standing upon the old
Wing platform, with the ''Great Embodi-
ment" as their candidate.
The meeting was organized by appoint
ing WILLIS HALL, President, assisted
BY 36 Vice Presidents. Upon taking the
chair he addressed the meeting at consid-
cradle length in favor Of having Clay
Electoral Ticket nominated by the Wing
State Convention, which met on the 18th
inst. In speaking of the nomination Of
General Taylor, by the Philadelphia Con-
vention, he says:
aWe are party. We sent our delegates
to Philadelphia for the purpose Of naming
a representative of this party. Where
got they the authority to name man, who
repeatedly declared he would be no ex-
ponent Of our principles? The authority
Of the agent is commensurate only with
the powers given him by his constituent
You all know, if you employ man to pur-
chase house, he cannot force you to take
ship! (Cheers.) In like manner, it is
too clear, that Convention which took a
no party man, took him for themselves;
their constituents are not bound to take
that nominee. don't come here to argue
the necessity Of party in free government
like this, where the necessity is SO pal
pably necessary as to be acknowledge bv
all. Such a thing as "no party' never
existed, in nations where the people had
any exercise Of opinion at all. Party is
the only medium through which the sense
of the people can be ascertained. 1t may
be abused, and its purposes prevented for
awhile, but it cannot be destroyed. Gen
eral Taylor says, 81 shall not be the can
didate Of any party General Taylor,
speaking for himself and himself only, says
right. But where did the the Philadelphia
Convention get their authority to select
such man as the representative of the
Wing party9 (Cries of 'sNo WHEREBY
Did you authorize them? (s'No!" 'sNo!"
"No!') No, know you did not. They
transcribed the powers conferred upon
them, and selected man who is no Wing,
and that is the reason why we are not
bound to support him. (Cheers.) Who
knows what are the principles ofZachary
Taylor? ("Nobody!" He has no prin-
ciples, fellows citizens. The advocates Of
Gen. Taylor are very fond Of comparing
his position with that of the immortal
Washington, (Cries Of ssoh!' "oh!") when
they know as well as you do, that there is
not the slightest resemblance tetwee The
two. Geo. Washington was taken frona
civil life-sy, from the very counsels that
gave birth to this nation. After the Re-
violation was over, in him were dis played
all the military and civil virtues that man
canpossess. President of the Convention
which formed the Constitution, perhaps
there was no man more familiar with
every great question of national import,
than he. His opinions, his views were
universally known, and his advice was
freely given. Where then find we the
resemblance between General Washington
and General Taylor? The comparison
altogether fails. The latter, neither by
precept nor in practices has given to the
world the least evidence of even an ordi-
nary acquaintance with single one Of the
great questions which agitate the nation.
We have nothing to indicate any such
knowledge. No man can say, for no man
knows, what his views are upon solita-
ry political principle. Is this popular
government, fellow-citizens? Is this
government of the people, Does the
government belong to the people, or do the
people belong to the government? Tell
US, in the name of Heaven, how are we to
support the government if we are ignorant
Of the principles Of the men we vote for?
Has Gen. Taylor avowed a single article
Of our faith? No, not one? The only
way to know ourgovernment is to know
the principles of the men for whom you
vote. To vote for them without such
knowledge, is miserable absurdity and a
pitiful farce. (Cheers.) Is it not an in
suite the people, thus to offer them man
who will not tell them what he is or who
he is? (Yes, yes, yes.") When you
appoint man your agent do you not desire
him to comply with your requirements?
The principle, | tell you is monarchial.-
What matters it whether King is born
to rule over you, or not, if you let Pre-
s'aent do as he pleases when he is elect
ed! Our revolution was farce-all its
blood and treasure were spent in vain
II all you gain is the difference Of King
oofn, and one elected. The reason ofthis
eonceaiment Of principle in Gen. Taylor,
~ us friends tell US, is polite. TO divulge
MS views upon this question or that would
work injury to his prospects of success.
:: would gain him votes here, in this sec
tl0n, and lose hin, % ,,o,r,, ,,,.o =, tbot