Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-07-05
CALL . REDEMPTION or PLEDGES.

A CALL FOR UT fA
Every now and then, says the Alexandra
Gazette, some FESTIVE member Of what used
to ba called the democratic party" tired
out with waiting for something thatWas pro-
missed previous to the last Presidential cleo
ton, calls upon the party for a redemption OF
its pledges. We have a case in point before
us. When the subject Of adjournment Of the
present session Of Congress was before the
House Of Representatives, Mr.. Keitt, Of
South Carolina, spoke as follows
III understand, sir, hat the Democratic
party came into power with the principle OF
free trade inscribed upon its flag. NOW, sIr'
what has been done to carry out this princl-
pie Nothing, literally nothing. Should It
not do something Nest certainly it should
unless its creed be only a delusion, and its
only object be spells. The Democrats par
ty came into power by an overwhelming ma
iority; and I wish to know, and as far as my
vote goes, | mean to know, if its professions
about free trade are honest or not. Sir, It
principles be with the party mere juggler's
balls, 10 play a game Of popular imposture
with, then | desire the ~legerdemain to be un-
derstood, and the dupcs to be only the Jug
gler's dupes.
Sir, if the Democratic party is based upon
principles, let US see this by action. | am
tired Of mere professions. Let me say, also,
sir, that no party, bloated by heterogeneous
compounds, and corpulent with crude isms,
can ever last long. Life waits upon health,
and antagonistic elements carry death with
them.
Sir, IL the Democratic party is divided
upon the great question Of free trade, which
was born here, and has subsequently carried
its flag of triumph over almost all the globe,
the country should know the fact. TIE
Treasury is full to repletion our great sta
pies are increasing almost intellectually, and
our resources in every phase are quickened
with an energy unknown by any other peo-
pie or any other time. Sir, we have made
discoveries in everything but the practical
application of the principles Of government.
We have explored the arcana Of physical
science, laid bare its mysteries, swept over
tremendous r~ayines, and make the lightning
play Iostman to the nations Of the earth /;
but in government we have pursued only the
broad ~thoroughfarc trampled by the foot
steps of every nation which has gone before
us, of Capitalization, financial a~ggrandize-
ment, and the spoliation Of weaker interests.
Sir, let us retrace our steps, and reour to
the earlier principles Of the Republic. Let
us adapt the revenue of the Government to
its proper wants, and secure ap economical
expenditure. This can only be done by an
entire reformation Of the present tariff. This
Democratic party is pledged to; and |
mean, as far as my vote goes, to make It re-
deem its pledges, ordistinctly refuse to do 50.
| do not l.ean, as fer as l can prevent it,
that it shall shirk the question by an adj
lournment. | prefer to fix the day OF ad-
journment about the first of September /;
think we had better postpone the
whole question for the present.
Sir, let as look this tariff question in the
eye, and see who of us are for a reformation
the tariff, and who are opposed to it. For
thirty years my section has been borne down
BY an oppressive system of legislative plum
der and it is time we should fling it Off
The Democratic party is pledged to this, and
let it redeem the pledge. Whenever the ia
riff is reformed, or whenever the Democratic
party in this House distinctly refuses to re
it, | am ready to adjourn. l will not
vote to adjourn that it may shirk this issue
If 1t is to continue to manipulate the masses
with professions, and, by skillful jugglery,
to ensnare, seduce, and delude, it shall have
aid Of mine for any of these purposes
Professions scduce men principles rally