The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-20

81 am, with great respect, dear Slss your p0IK
servant, "yAn JAM - ~
81 X. KANE, esq. Philadelphia
Il would aid us TO form just estimate Oh .ne mo
tive o. des;on Of this letter If could see the com
munication of Mr. Kane to the late PRESIDENT WINCH
drew n ont IL would doubtless pour good aeai
of light the subject. sp' ~ ma Mr I Poss letter
he lad already been nominated as a candidate Tor
the Presidency at the Baltimore convention; Penn
svlvania was entirely devoted TO the protective pol
icv and would not be likely TO supports candidate
uneouiyocally opposed TO it. No doubt grave APP
nrehensions were entertained that she would not go
Tor Mr. Polk hence this letter was written and
thrown before the people OF that State. IL VIII DC
seen that il is equvocal, and may be made to con
form in meaning to the taste OF the reader. No
doubt in Tennessee, il passed for good iree-trade
letter. But how was it regarded in Pennsylvania,
where vast coal and iron interests were at stake!
No sooner did il appear than the leaders OF the Dc
mocracy in that Commonwealth took the ground
that Mr.. Polk much for the protective Pohcy
Mr.. Clay. The letter had been made adroitiy TO
conform to language which Mr.. Clay had USED IN
some recent communications to the public on the
subject. Thus both were found saying that they
were willing to ''aIord reasonable incidental pro.
lection TO our home industry; and recollect well
that this identity Of language was paraded in our
northern Democratic papers in parallel columns,
prove that domestic interests would be as sale
in the hands of the one as the other.
The Democracy of Pennsylvania went with
rush for their neutrality-suspicious. raising the
1927" This motto, or something equivalent, was
inscribed on every banner exhibited in all their
professions, and paradcd in all their political as
semblies. / am informed that the distinguished
citizen who presided with much ability and dig
nifty the deliberations of this body during the
last Presidential term, more than once addressed
political assemblies during that canvass with this
inscription Haunting before him. To show more
fully the extent to which this imposition
ried, ! produce here the "Clarion letter" from
Wilson McCandless, esq, who was one OF the Sen
atorial candidates for the electoral college OF Penn
sylvania, on the Polk and Dallas ticket:
.sPITrsHuRG, August s, 1874.
"GESTLEMES: Your cordial invitation of the
30th ultimo to be present with you at your mass
meeting on the Sd September came TO hand during
my absence in the northwestern counties OF Penn
sylvania
al assure you that never wrote an apology for
my inability to attend any public assemblage, in
the whole course of my political career, with more
reluctance than do this. Clarion has not only
been firm and steadfast in her adherence to Demo
cratic principles, but she has been intexibe in her
love and support of the tarif-that public measure
which, (aside from the bank question: like the rod
of the prophet, is destined to swallow up all other
topics OF political controversy You have properly
appreciated the importance Of the protective principle
10 the success of the manufacturing and agrlcul-
tural interests OF Pennsylvania; and in the aban-
donment of that principle by Mr. Clay, in the COM
promise bill, you have the best guaranty that, If
elected to the Presidency, he will carry out the
principles of that bill, and afford you horizontal
duty, to enable you to contend with the pauper
labor of Sweden and Russia. In doing SO, he would
give you and the tariff the same support that the
rope does the hanging man--instant death, and
without benefit OF clergy Support him, II you
can; for my own part, shall go for Polk and Dali
las, who have at heart the true interests OF Penn
sylvania.
"My engagements, gentlemen, in the supreme
court, will prevent me from attending your mass
meeting With the brightest prospect of Democratic
success-20, 900 majority
an k.v.. Ill lat .lxFN
"WILSON McCANDLESS.
'Messrs Adam Mooney, Seth Clover and others,
committee
This letter having been recently repubshed in
Pittsburg paper, with comments, Mr. McCandless
addressed 10 the editors the following note
"Messrs. d. N. WHITE & Co.
"GESTLEmES: Thank you for the republication
of the Clarion letter. wise man changes his
opinions when dictated by experience and the
truth--a fool never
sYours most cordially and respectfully,
"wILSON McCANDLESS
This would seem to intimate that Mr.. McCand-
less was himself deceived by "the Kane letter !"
and, If so, how certain must 1t be that the plain,
honest, sensible, and worthy farmers, mechanics,
and workingmen of that commonwealth, were also
deceived and deluded by il. | will not undertake
To say what the late President really intended by
the letter TO Mr.. X; but one thing ia certain, he
must have known what use was made OF II IN
Pennsylvania. There never has existed man in
this country who kept more yigilant eye on the
political movements Of the day than the late Pres
dent. He was pre-eminently party man, tho
roughly schooled in party tactics. Besides, there
was associated with him citizen OF ennsylvania,
as candidate for the Vice Presidency, who had ever
been a warm advocate of the protective policy. he
therefore knew well that the people OF that COM
monwealth expected him 10 favor the same, at least
in a reasonable and moderate degree. To this e1-
tent insist he was pledged, though not, perhaps,
to maintain the tariff Of ls42 in It's whole length
and breadth How did he respond 10 the expecta-
of he III vh had
their dearest interests into his hands, The records
OF this government can answer. he not only took
strong ground against the protective policy IN ms
communication TO Congress, but he placed at the
head Of the Tresury Department gentleman Of
commanding abilities, who prosecuted the over
throw Of the system with untiring industry and
unsurpassed yigor new tariff was introduced,
and carried through the two Houses, based on Chi
merical principles, which is rapidly undermining
the prosperity Of the Keystone State, il will ult
mately Of the whole country. Even the Vice Pres
ident forgot that he was son Of Pennsylvania,
and gave hs casting vote in favor Of the tariff OF
1876.
We have proef conclusive that the people Of
Pennsylvania never would have voted for Messrs.
Polk and Dallas If they had known what their
course would be on this subject. In the House Of
Representatives, 2eth Congress, (Which passed the
tariff OF 1861 the delegation from that State stood
twelve Democrats 10 ten Wings and two Native
Americans. great political rcvulson was coca.
stoned in Pennsylvania by the passage Of the tariff
Of 1876 both branches Of the State Legislature
were revolutionzed and the delegation to the 30tt
Congress reversed, as 10 stand fifteen Whig'
10 only seven Democrats and one Native and this
notwithstanding the Democratic Senators and mem
beers Of the House, (29th Copgrcss,) with one er
ception, resisted the tariff Of 1916 10 the utmost
Bot, nevertheless, the people would not spare them
nor would they spare the Democratic party Of th'
Union, for the vote Of Pennsylvania was cast foi
General Taylor, much from repugnance 70 th'
tariff Of 1876 admiration for his brilliant public
services and respect for his high qualities az man
am confident that not State north Of the Poto
mac would have sustained Mr.. Polk In the policy
Of such tariff that Of 1876, with, perhaps, thu
exception Of New Hampshire and Maine. "Th'
Kane letter. was effective far beyond the limits 0
Pcnnsy wanna; IL in fact made James X. Polk Presi
dent of the United States. No one can accuse hin
OF ingratitude, a., after his elevation 10 tn
Presidency, he conferred ON hs correspondent val
liable Office, which he now holds. Would Il not b
well for the honorable Senator 20 explain the sus
picious circumstances attending this TRANSACTION
before he accuses President Taylor and his friend
Of pcrfdy,
q II will now, Mr.. President, be my duty 70 turl
90 a very painful chapter in the history Of Tcra
annexation, which will supply rs with anotbe
striking example Of Democratic promise breaking