The Washington union., 1857-09-26
THE CHARLESTON MERCURY.

Our historical accuracy, in alluding 10 occurrences
in the House of Representatives in 1885, is ques-
toned by the Mercury because we stated that
two members from South Carolina failed TO vote on
the deposte question, when it seems that five did
not vote Both her senators voted for it, as did
Grayson and Griffin, while her Pinckney and Rogers
alone voted against it. The Mercury refers to this
deposte act to sustain its assumption that distribu
ton was made by democratic Congress- while il
knows full well that it not intended such, and
that large share of those voting for it, including Mr.
Calhoun, decidedly opposed to distribution,
Does the Mercury mean it shall be understood that
Mr.. Calhoun was not democrat? When dstribu-
ton act was up in lS4l he and the democracy sterny
opposed it; and il to this act referred did
the Mercury suppose when speaking of the polit-
cal character of the Congress which passed it, which
was strongly whig.
In reply to the allegation of the Mercury, that our
firm adherence to national Union rests upon self
sh considerations will merely say it knows that at
all times and in all places we have ever stood upon
our present ground. We should be glad to see that
paper engaged in patriotic cause, based upon
any motives
to perpetuate the Union, let it labor to keep the
democratic party true to its principles. a. Let it
urge justice for the South in Kansas (2.) Let it
oppose taxes laid for protection, and insist that they
shall be laid for revenue only. (3) Let it oppose
appropriations for internal Improvement. (4) Let
it urge economy in the administration. (5)--which
from twenty-five millions under Mr.. Van Buren, 3
and twenty-seven millions under Mr.. Folks admins
tration has increased to seventy millions of dollars
(6)
We reply briefly to these several matters sepa-
ratcly:
L. We do labor, and continually, to keep the dem
ocratic party true to its principles the only
way of preserving the Unisn. Opposition to the
democracy like that of the Mercury leads to dis
union If that and other similar papers will go with
us in opposition to political fanaticsm wherever
found, the Union will be safe.
2. We have urged justice to the South as well as
to the whole Union in Kansas. We have fought for
the principle of sefgovernment there, contained
in the organic act the most certain mode of doing
Justice to all and we have dealt as heavy blows as
any journal upon the reasonable agtators who seek
to create sectional difficulties hazardng the safety of
the Union
3. The Mercury ought to know that we have uni
formy opposed levying taxes merely for protection,
and have always insisted that they should be imposed
for revenue.
A. 1t ought also to know that have op-
posed the nternal-improvement system, and that we
have stood by the vetoes upon that subject.
5. We shall go far the farthest in urging
economy in all branches of the public service. Econ
omy in public expenditures is one of the cardinal
principles of the democratic party.
6. The Mercury must pardon us if we again at
tempt to point out of its inaccuracies. In sta
ting the expenditures under Mr. Van Buren at twen-
ty-fve and under Mr. Polk at twenty-seven millions,
and {under Mr.. Pierce) at seventy millions, it
has fallen into grave errors the following table will
show:
Public expenditures during the administrations Of Presidents Van
B,ren. Polk, and Pierce,