Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-10-07
? 0 L | 7 &c A L.
From the Argus.
Hon. Mr.. Soule's Speech
AT AUGUSTA, SEPT. %.

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After a beautiful exordium, in which he ex-
pressed his warm thanks for the kind welcome
extended, he went into discussion of the pres
ent and future prospects of the country, and
made an eloquent and conclusive argument to
show that the future prosperity and progress
of the country depended on the ascendancy of
democratic principles; and not the prosperity
of this Union merely, but that the destiny of
the civilized world might also be seriously af-
fected thereby for veal or for woe. 1t was
high time that Americas potent voice should
be heard ia the councils of the nations
Americans had reasons TO be proud that in
their hands rested the destinies of the civilized
world and the nations of the world knew full
well the high missioa and destiny of the Amer
ican Republic-the foe of tyrants, and the asy-
lum Of the oppressed.
How is it with the great democratic party |,
The history of that party was full of mighty
and important lessons. Look at what has been
realized in the past, under democratic rule,
and say whether that rule has not been exert
ed for the most noble ends. Opposed TO this
rule was the federal party of the elder Adams,
whose administration was characterized by the
most odious laws, which, during their feeting
existence, created a feeling of despondency and
of the country. Nor was the admiration of
the second administration of the second Adams
much Haere successful. His party established
in our midst, aud endeavored to build up, mon
led corporations, high tariffs, a system of in
ternal improvements not sanctioned by right
foi Interpretation of the Constitution But this
administration was followed by wise one,
having greater regard for the interest of the
masses-the administration of Jackson-during
which the country was relieved from the bur-
dens then existing. Yet, when the wings
again resumed power, in a time of great ex-
citement, in l640, they continued TO press up
on the country the re-establishment of the U.
States Bank, and Bankrupt Law, equally
odious and uncalled for, relieving men from
the legal obligation to discharge their honest
debts, thus impairing the moral obligation,
whacR o0gnt TO be sacred between man and
man. Thus, under Harrs0n's administration,
Gan unfortunate one for the country,) princi-
pie was lost sight of. You have had this
aoraiag, from lips more eloquent than mine,
specifications OF the extent of the corruptions
and abuses practised during that administra-
ton.
MIR. SOule then examined the policy pursued
by the present administratl0n-the Nicaragua
and Iehuantepec questions, and the question
0i the Fisheries, so recently forced upon our
attention by news of British fleet suddenly
appearing In waters haunted for years by
American fishermen with jnstiiable impunity.
He spoke of the seven millions of dollars for
the Indemnity of Mexico, and the bad manage
cnent of the Secretary of State in negotiating
for lis payment, by which the Treasury lost
from seventy TO eighty Thousand dollars, which
~ent into the hands of British brokers, and
migdt have been saved by an acceptance of the
terms proposed by Mexico.
The Nicaragua question he discussed at
length in a masterly manner that was almost
an American State, where American feeling
prevailed, and was in difficulty with Costa Ri
CO. Instead of proposing 10 consult the au-
thorltes OF Nicaragua, our Secretary of State
and Mr. Crampion, the British minister, un-
dertook to settle the difficulties, aud ended by
advising the latter to surrender her rights and
privileges TO her rival, without consulting the
parties Interested. To this end treaty is
concluded, and was published ia our news2a-
pers here at home before it had been officially
made known TO the Congress of Nicaragua
The latter spu:ned it with contempt, and re-
fused TO ao4ulesee ia the demands of the rival
power, notwithstanding the forced advice of
the negotiators at Washington, Messrs. Webs
Ter and CEampton. But on this question, as
on that Of the fisheries, Mr.. Webster, great
and intellectual as he is, was but man be-
ing maa, he was subject to error, and being
whig, was almost willing TO commit it
Had Gen. Pierce been in power, at the head of
the Government, he would have acted other
wise. British interference would have re-
ceived a eheek-the British fleet would have
been kept at bay, and England have beeh called
upon TO explain or apologize for most un-
heard of insult, unsanctioned by provocation.
She would have been held TO render a strict
account-to explain her objectionable blum
ders and Instead of being at her mercy, suing
for favors, we would ourselves have dictated
tie terms of accommodation. But you are
told that the fishery question is settled. Is it
so! No-no; from the audience. No! it
is not indeed settled And what is more, |
know not when it will be, unless it happen
that democratic president, like Gen. Pierce,
shall be called on to dictate that settlement
Unfortunately for US, Mr.. Everett, while at St.
James, conceded privileges which we had
long rightfully claimed. We are left to enjoy
peace and quiet, while our fishermen-the
nurseries of our navy-our reliance upon the
ocean-are despoiled of the fruits of their tolls
Settled Yes, for a whig administration it
may be, but not for democratic one. Our
people would be the last to go to war for mat
ters of no moment. As we grow powerful,
let our policy grow moderate But when our
rights are invaded-the rights of the South, or
she rights of New Eugland-when our privi-
leges are withheld from us by dctatorial for
eign power, we owe it to ourselves, to our ma
tional honor, to the civilized world, to assert
our rights, and to maintain them at all hazards.
Whenever great nation like England, shar-
ing with US the control of the destinies of the
world-our rival-comes in collision with us
IN matters of diplomacy, we owe it to our past
histoty, and the glorious part we nave acted
on the theatre of the past, to Weld nothing of
honor or dignity to intimidation. Nations
must not suffer usurpations any more than in
dividuals; for, if 50, they can never resume
what they lose BY nsurpaiiou.
Mr. Soule next alluded in striking LANGUAGE
to the policy of the country for the last 6fiv
years; commenting on the administration of
Jefferson, the enactment and repeal of the al
len and sedition laws, the purchase of Louisi-
ana and its consequences, and other measures /;
and contrasting the policy of the democratic
and federal parties in the early days of the Re-
public; proceeding to Madison's policy, dis
cussing the cause and results of the war OF
1872, and showing the bitter opposition of the
opposite party. He next examined the admin
lstraiion OF Monroe !; the fostering spirit that
led to the emancipation of the Spanish colo
MES, and the declaration warning foreign ma.
.tions not to trespass on the American conti-
nent. He reviewed Jackson's administration
the Bank struggle the decision that com.
pelled France to discharge her obligations
the organization of the Subtreasury under Van