Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-11-25
&C ronos "; sUxxrns she wbie can

didate for Governor, 10 recent speech--a
sketch Of which is givenIby the Abingdon
Virginian - after some preliminary remarks
adverted to the charge Of the Democratic
press, that be was avoiding old issues, and
went on to show that they had no connection
whatever with the Office for which be was a
candidate. He was whig. it was true and
if he believed in the consritutionality of U.
s. Bank, he bad illustrious examples for his
faith. George Washington. who presided
over the deliberations, Of the Convention
that framed the Constitution, and who might
be supposed to understand the spirit as well
as the letter Of that instrument. was q. s.
Bank man, and signed the first Bank bill that
passed Congress Madison and Calhoun
were Bank men, as were all the prominent
members of tho Republican party of 1916,
whilst the Federalists of that day were dis
tinguished by their opposition to the institu-
ton. If he was to be put down, therefore,
for this belief be would 60 down with some
of the greatest names upon the pages of
American history.
1t was also urged as an objection against
him, that be was in favor of a Protective
Tariff. So he was, and 10 this, also he was
guided by illustrious example. The first
Protective Tariff law was passed by the FIRST
Congress under the Constitution and was APP
proved by President Washington. 1t was
the infant voice, as it were, of the true policy
of the American Government. 1t was also
the policy Of all the Presidents from Wash
ington down, not excepting jackson and
Van ,Buren. And of all people under the
sun, be thought the people of Virginia ought
to be in favor of Protective Tariff. He
did not approve of high discriminating or
prohibitory duties, but the practical operations
Of the Wing protective polcy-a policy that
would lessen foreign competition and encour-
age domestic industry--would have made
Virginia the first State in the Union, instead
of being as she is at present third rate
State. Jhis would have built up commerce
and agriculture, and made Virginia the rich
est State in products, as she now is in uatu-
raj resources Under the operations of the
Democratic Tariff Of 1886 our Government
had undergone continual drain, with heavy
balance of trade against US, largely indebted
to Europe, and no discerning man could fail
to see that we were on the eve of none
Wi y ctiois. = nv PtotSCtNo Pohcy Wuuiu
have guarded us against these evils, and
made our prosperity as wide and healtbful
as our adversely is now palpable and ominous
"And last, but not least, the Bankrupt
Law was another bugbear raised against him,
by portion of the political press Of the State,
and dcnominated Wing measure. But the
zeal of his political adversaries was not ac-
cording to knowledge. 1t so happened that,
when member of Congress in 1871. he was
opposed to the Bankrupt Law, voted in the
affirmative in the test vote to lay the bill on
the table, and recorded his vote in favor OF
its repeal. But suppose he had voted for
this law, he woald only have done what many
of lis Democratic friends in the House did
among not the least conspicuous friends Of
which, was the Hon. Robert j. Walker, after
wards Mr. Polk $ fayorte cabinet officer
And it had been charged that this was a
wing measure. Its history is. that it was
first recommended to Congress by Martin
Van Buren,, and subsequently framed arc
presented to that body by Jarret ID Wal
conspicuous and leading democrat Of New
Jersey As for himself. he had opposed il
throughout, and never received any benefit
from it whatever.
lie replied to these, because they we're ur-
ged as objections against him = but they were
irrelevant to his present position before tht
people. The Office Of G overnor had no earth.
" connection with them, or with any Fedora
question Of policy whatever. He then reac
from the 9th section of the amended Corsti
tuition the duties of the Executive. Tha,
officer had no political or party power, far
Their than might be, from time to time. con
fered upon him by the Legislature, as was
the case a few years ago, when the Iegisla-
ture held its sessions at the Fauquier Springs
At that session, the Governor was authorized
to appoint inspectors of flour, Lumber Salt
&C.. but he thought if he could be SO warped
by party feeling if elected. as to enquire il
an applicant for one of these stations was q
Wing or Democcat, he should deem him
self unworthy Of the confidence Of the peo-
pie Of the Commonwealth.