The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-16
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF HON. JAMES L. ORR,
OF SOUTH CAROLINA,

state OF the Union,
Mr.. ORR addressed the committee as follows:
Mr.. Chairman, rise, sir, 10 trespass upon the indu
geuce oi the committee in making few observations
upon topic which IS not egmately before the House
Tor consideration 1t is the Ars occasion since | have
been honored wth seat 10 this hall that have made
speech not pertinent 10 The subject Immediately before
the committee Tor its action variety Of reasons not
necessary now TO be recaptuated have coopeated TO
induce departure from The rule thus far uniformly pu
sued; but promise The committee that only brief po.
lion OF time shall be consumed in the discussion
The State of South Carolina, which have the honor
IN part 10 represent here, represented the
vent,oh a, Baltimore last week Il would perhaps be
avery idle consumption OF time TO enter into vindca
Ton OF the course her people have chosen 10 pursue
th,s matter They had perfect right TO determine
their action for themselves, and tribunal has the
power 10 change that determination, or the right to ques
tlon its exercise.
But, though not represented. we feel great solcitude
in the ilnal action OF the convention and my purpose
now IS TO express my conviction that the nomination OF
Piece and King will meet cheerful response and cor
dial support IN South Carolina. The selection OF these
gentlemen as the great standard bearers of The party
holds out bright hepes OF promise tha, the country viii
return 10 those wise and patriotic republican doctrines
which dictated and controlled the administration of the
immortal Jefferson His sagacily comprcbendcd The diff
hcult machinery oil our complex system, defined the rel
alive powers and duties Of the State and federal GOV.
crnmens, and provided thereby for harmony amongst all
sections and interests IN restricting the latter the exer
else OF powers only expressly delegated by the consiu
u0n.
That creed Of which he is the ilus,sious founder If
faithfully followed would have shielded the States of
ms Union from much OF the dlscord and dissension
which has imbttered every sacion-shielded us from
high protection tads, from monopoles iron slavery ag
taton from all The Ills and pes that good men have so
seriously deploed IN our history for The last quarter OF
century, and made happy have been prosper
GUS a departure IRON that creed has opened up all
the bitter walters OF strife but, thank Heaven the error
has been discovered before has become remedable and
the election OF franklin Pierce as po, viii enable him
to put the old ship OF State the republican track and
venture that assertion, because his career in Congress
carries ncontestable proof that his political chart and
compass Poiat to the track which Jefferson our great
pilot safely seercu the same vessel in the pauy days
OF The republic. He is republican OF the sctest sect
and his administration will cover himself and his
party with The most brilliant renown and Distinction
brief glance a, his history will contrast him avorably
with many who bave essayed 10 be leaders, but who are
wanting III that sterling worth and uno6trusive modesty
signal in his character
His father was soldier in the OF The revolutions
aud hrst perilled his lie IN his counrys Bunker
Hit VIII Massachusetts forget in November The wor
Thy son oil noble sire, who peflled his life in defending
her against the attack of British troops He was born
70 New Hampshire, State which has given birth 10
Webster and Cass, and which was the home OF Wood
buy-disilngnlshed not more for the sparkling genius OF
her sons Than her faithful unfnchng adherence aud de-
vouon TO Tue republican faith Her pure air, rural
habits, and inconupilte morals, all favor physical
moral and intellectual development; her sons, living
amongst tie mnuaains and valleys, having no large
cities to corrupt debase preserve their nurity OF
character, and remain inlexi6le against all attempts
20 swefye them from principle The mountain popu-
talun OF every country have been always Justly dis
'ngulsbed lor their patriotism and loyalty 10 liberty :;
and II this country was assaled by foreign foe
and State after State should fall under his domination
The last hardest and most desperate OF all your slrug
giles, before passing under the foreign yoke would be in
your mountain astnesses and by the strong hands and
bold hearts oi your mountain yeomanry Sir the hills
ana daes OF mountainous land inspire love of country
Hasehsh and seisacriiicing; and Franklin Pierce has
had The good fortune TO be born among The granite hills
oi New Hampshire and, having lived nearly half
lury, has never dshonofed his birth place
lie entered public life al early age as member of
the legislature OF New Hampshire, and was elected
speaker of the house In 1893 he was elected 10 sea,
a med In n
when be elected senator, where he remained until
lStl, when he resigned bis seat, returned 10 his native
Stale, and resumed the practice OF the law His speeches
~ Congress were not numerous but always sensible
gent and 10 the point, and unlrtquently they are
marked by elegance Of dicuon beautiful imagery and
true eoQuence He eyInces thonght and investigation ON
all the subjects he discusses and his speeches and votes
show him consistent governed by fixed principles which
no notemporay expedent ever induced bin waive tasi
y HIS services IN the two houscs OF Congress have been
rendered at most interesting epoch in the history OF this
government During General Jacksons administration
lhe bank was Frustrated whilst General Pierce was in
Congress lie was opposed to this great moneyed mo-
nOpoly and triumphed over its ia more than
General Pierce. few brief months alter when lis ex-
poson took place, The secrets Of the prisonhouse
disclosed. and iound that the canker Of corruption
mad long been preylng upon ils ylias; like the chanel
house with comey and attractive external, yet within
~ was hled with dead mems bones General Jackson,
IN no act OF hs public lite exhibited much sagacy as
in making war upon the bank and all who sustained
hiin ~ The hefce encounter with this great colossal mo-
heyed power nchly merit the gratitude OF the country
bnay mat slupendous system OF internal improvements
projected by Mi Adams during his administration when
was proposed to dig canals over mountains build roads
10 ne moon, and light houses to the skies Some OF the
wing papers have commenced already to bazon forth
hls hostility TO internal improvements, with view of
alternating The Yves; from the chosen leader of the party
Dul hey VIII Ind II cloves labor lost;" and when the
great agricultural States OF Ohio Indiana Illinois Wis
consin, Iowa, Michigan, aud Missouri learn that the
alternative offered them Is an abandonment OF wild sys
TEN OF unjust local and unconstitutional improvements by
The federal government, which they may and ought to
carry on by their State authorities submit 10 the
imposition OF high protective tariff 10 enrich few
manufacturers by taxing enormously every article they
may consume, and, at The tme destroying their for
egn market for the sale Of their flour bacon corn, and
oee by reducing the capacity OF the foreigner TO pur
chase from them-he having nothing that will be re-
eeived in payment but specie There can be no two
opinions as TO what the decision OF the West will be
eoncediDg that il is lavoraby inclined to such works for
how valuable would rivers be, cleaned that boats
might safely navigate them when the mark for the pro-
duce which the boats 10 transport is desoyed Their
sTanares might groan beneath the harvest of a fertile
soil, but the rats and the wev would be their consumers
instead OF hungry men, women, and children in other
lands. The common of the West has thus far at
least made them repudate whg theories that high duties
make low prices, and that high duties make home
set Tor the products OF the farm when they the
plus provision crop OF Ohio and Indiana alone would feed
every manufacturer aud operative in The United States,
or the still more absurd one that high duties is tax
upon the foreign manufacturer and not upon the domestic
consumer of the article laxed
Capitalists engaged in manufacturing pursuits must
seek out people who think less, and who are more g
hoant OF political and domestic economy than the West
oelore they will succeed in imposing high protective
arms, under The preence that il will raise revenue,
arh l.. u - II