Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1849-09-15
TO WILLIAM L. HARRIS ESQ.

] shall lose lf--f lhIHh1i dlllts5fs - you EitH
this number. was induced 10 commence them by
the pointed nanner in which you addressed me in
your fret speech al the Court House. The county
canvass, which is beginning 10 get quite animated
and interesting muti heneeiorih occupy more Of ~
attention.
charged you with being in favor Of protective
tariff and this seems especially 10 have excited YOU
aud provoked your wrath. Now, Mr. Harris, spoke
from what had heard, and from the record. In tn,
canvass Of 1914, you could not be brought 10 take
stand against the princip'e Of the tariff Of 1872
You thought II too high perhaps, and ought to be ma.
teral7 reduced buty were for retaining the spe.
eilc and minimum rates o. duties the great objection
ablo features Of the set At tie anii-tariF meeting
held in the place On tie 3rd o. October 1913, you
opposed the resolution Of Mr.. Whitfield ccndemninp
the Tarifot ~ and pfeeewcd its passage ,feYeby
defeating Tire great oblectof the meeting You say
you have always sored against protective tariff
Il so, i has bGen strange sort Of warfare. In 1882,
you were FOR nullilyng the tariff Of 1923 IN 1913,
you will not oppose the tariff Of 1912, the latter Of
which was ia the opinion Of Mr Calhoun more Oh
ieciionable in some Of It's features than the former.
can't understand this liitwas right d nullify tie
the tariff Of 1898 eqaaily right and even more SO.
i strikes Us, was it to nulllfy the tariff Of lsl3
Perhapslho Inconsistency may DO explained by tue
tact that N 1882 you were Calhoun man, at lest
in favor Of bis views Of constitutional principles and
never dreamed Of supporting Henry Clay and in
1913 and -, you became the warm advocate Of that
gcnicmons election 70 the presidency. But let the
subject pass, with the single remark that cannot
see how il is possible that any man can support for
tho presidency, one who is high protective tariff
man-ihc father Of The system, when The tariff ques
lion too Is the great one at issue in the contest with
out being himself protective tariff man, unless, rs
have before sald he goes for the man and not lor
principle.
You say You arc opposed to internal improvements
by the general government. Well, il you are, tell
you, you viii be opposed to Gcn Taylor's admins
ration for Just as sure as the sun shines, Cen Iay.
Tor will recommend system Of internal improve
ments, not perhaps upon so grand scale as that re-
commended by John q, Adams, but still, a system
vide, expensive and unconstitutional. Such al least
is my opinion.
You believe in the constitutonay and expedien-
cy Of national bank, but would vote against ono
unless seemed The general wish Of the people that
such an institution should be established, and you
think popular sentiment IS now against IT, To the
independent treasury you are and always have been
opposed This, think You will admit Dat you say
understand (because under the circumstances Of
the case you could hardly say any thngelsc) that
You are willing that matters should stand az theyare,
and let the sub treasury have fair trial, Still you
believe It might be amended to tho advantage Of the
government and tho country. So does the admins
tration lts organ, the Republic, calls some Of its
features barbarous. Now, Mr.. Harris, will tell
you what feature Of the sub treasury you and the ad
ministration you defend eyes, as Mr.. Clay once said
Of tho Hon Felix Grmdy, you ase still engaged in
your old practice, offending crimiaals) --wha lea-
turo say you and they would amend il ia the epe-
cial clause that is the barbarous feature that you
would annul, andstrike oHt Of the law Such an as
mendment would emasculato The sub teasury---it
would unite the government and banks again and
pave tie way to the establishment Of nationalbank,
just as did the Illegal reception, by Alexander liam
ton Of bank notes III The payment Of public dues
may be wrong in saying that You are in favor OF
repeating the specie clause, but such is my belief,
founded upon the fact that you are a national bank
man. II mistakcno every member Of the present
cabinet with the cipte at its head isn favor Of ma
tional bank and would recommend such an nstitu.
ton 70 Congress iithey were not afraid Of the pco-
pie.
You are IL favor q distribution, but you say that
is deai new. as there is nothing to distribute and the
foyenmen e in dcbt but that debt vii bo paid in a
few years, ;Yal whom the immense bodies o.rch land,
in our newly acquired territories are brought into
market, distribution will spring upagan Trust us
Mr. Ilarris j, is not dead but sleopeth. would moi
vote for any man who is in favor Of distribution,
look upon il dangerous, corrupting and Of doubt
ful consttutionality. Il makes the States the st
penliares Of the federal government, which, llens
to old imperial Rome, granting her hrors and send
! ing oathcr largcsses to her distant PROVINCES Yet
4 you, Mr. Harris, who are seeking democratic yotes
are IN favor Of distrbuton--that measure dear t
wings, but odious to democrats.
have thus briefly summed up your position, as
understand you, upon some Of the leading question
which divide tho two parties donot think ! haV
misreprosentcd you--certainly have not designed
do SO, And the inference to me is clear that no cor
J sistent democrat can or viii vote for YOU Even
YOU had become bona fle democrat, your CONVEX
sion has been too recent--too much Of the odor {
whggisp still, elmgt TO YOU, 10 permit us to yiel
S YOU our confidence or support. Your associations
your ieelmgs-your syufpathos and prejudces ar
all with the wings and must hand You over 10 then
: There is another point, and it is an important on
= upon which must address you few words 1t
in regard 10 the election of Speaker of the House.
i This is the ncipicnt act in tho opening drama OF
y new Congress, and it is most important one, u
st on the Speaker deyolyes the appointment Of all Il
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