Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1849-09-29
POLITICAL DISCUSSION

tween Col Featherston and Mr. Ill'yer. 4 gentle
man who was present has furnished Us with The 80
lowing hasty sketch OF the debate. Every psr-o,
with whom we La.e srcEen aF7n ths subject aa'
who had an opportunity ofhsar.ug the speeches o.
both SIDES. assures us TINT Cot Fea'hersioa was 81,
victor Il tie dy and more Than uetthe expectation.
ofhis friends.
Co. Fea,hersion commenced by s'a'iue Aat Ia
consequence Of The Indigestion o. Nr HAIRS tLs
TAYLOR whig candidate, 70 meet him here ia debate
Mr. Hilyer Of Aberdeen would re- pond 10 which az.
rangement he freely consented aud Ha. glad to meet
that gentleman.
lie then went into the DISCUSSION, with the bod
ness and strgh,-iorwarlness characteristics Of the
man, and the cause which be advocates, stating in
the outset Of bis remarks that il was net true that all
he old issues between the two great parties in our
country were dropped and no longer Of any import
ance-that the whg party, or Taylor no-psrty party
were no doubt extremely anxiou. to etihe anti-repub.
can doctrines, on which they had been so often bea-
ten and dsgraced before the country, be forgotten,
at least for the present, but that he, Mr. + did not
intend TO let their candidate in this district escape
with his no-party, democratic, Taylor whig robes
temporarily thrown over his shoulders, as a mere dis
guise in order to get into power, without stripping
him Of them and holding him to party issues or con-
sign him and his mongre faction to that deserved
reprobation so richly merted and received sooaer or
later by such an homogeneous mass.
Col. Featherston attempts no oratorcal arts or
the Establishments Of political trickery lie advance
ed boldly and at once, with strong practical areu-
mens in favor OF the tariff Of 1896 and against that
of s42 against bank Of the United States and in
favor Of the independent treasury against any and
all schemes of internal improvements by the General
Government, and in favor Of strict construction Of
the constitution with regard 10 the power Of Congress
on questions Of this sort; in favor Of the Mexican
war, and in word, he showed himself on all points,
democrat o. the JeTir on and Polk stamp.
lie declared himsslfin favor Of the doctrine ofnon-
Intervention with reference to the power Of Congress
olcgslate on the subject Of slavery in tbs terrific
rios Of New Mexico and California, and he explained
this doctrine to the entire satisfaction Of every candid
q
forclbe and clear presentation Of the genuine repub
can doctrines Of the democratic party in all their
republican features than that given by Col +. on
this occasion. There was no running to the right
aud then backing to the lelt--no sophstry, cquyoca
ton or mental reservaton-no false coloring, no art
full dodging but on the contrary, all was fair, bold
and manly.
In the course Of Col. Fs remarks, on the tariff Of
49, he stated that but for the enactment Of that mea
sure by the democratic party and under the opera
ton of the tariff OF IA tho Government would now
have been in debt about twenty millions of dollars
more than ii actually is. This statement, he said
was founded upon facts known to every body and de-
rived from the operation OF the tariff Of 46, which |
show that the government has received about seven
millions Of dollars more per annum under il than was
collected annually under that Of AZ.
After briefly advertng to many other matters con-
nected with the general character and doings, Official
and unofficial, Of tho present noparty administration
his time Of one hour and half having expired, he
closed, leaving the most pleasing and unmistakeable
impression Of his candor, honesty and ability as a
democratic advocate, upon the minds Of all who love
the truth and stick to il under all circumstances.
Mr.. lIillyer followed in reply, and It was striking
" evidont as soon as he took the stand that betwoon
himself and Col. + in appearance, manner and arqu-
ment, there existed vast difference h favor Of tho
latter The one presented arguments and facts mt
ted with an air Of sincerity and consciousness Of
Tho truth on1 i,,stc, r Ne uo.;.;,, arJ cnnsa ~,
other acted the part Of eaniing demagogne and po-
litcal harlequin. And well did Mr. II illustrate this
character in the very first breath he drew in the way
Of argument He stated in the commencement that
Col. +. had said that the government was twenty
millions of dollars less in debt now than it would
have been under the operation Of the wing tariff OF
AZ and therefore $50 Mr., H. argued the democratic
tariff Of l6 had taken just twenty millions Of dollars
ont Of the peoples pockets since it went into opera
ton or words to that effect And strange to say
the truth loving, fair dealing honest intelligent ~
Taylor portion OF the audience rapturousy appauded
this low piece of trckery and contemplate subter-
fuge Was there ever such impudence, such I'M
founded and gratuitous assumption on the part Of a.
ny man pretending TO possess one particle Of political
knowledge, consistency or sefrespect attempted TO
be palmed off upon an intelligent audience! Why
does not every body know that the increased amount
Of revenue derived from the tariff of 46 arises from
the increase Of importations from foreign comrcs,
which had been excluded by the mnmum and SIC.
cife features Of the whg tariff Of '42, which opera
ted and was designed to operate for the especial ben
eft of the northern manufactures, by compelling us
TO pay much higher price for their goods than they
might have been bought for when coming in compo-
tton with the foreign articles And does no, every
body know that the exclusion Of foreign mportations
under the tariff OF A. while reduced the revenue
twenty millions Of dollars, took the same amount
perhaps more out Of the pockets the people, not to
pay the debts or the necessary expenses of the gov.
ernment but to swell the wealth Of the pampered
millionares and manufacturing monopolsts Of the