American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-05-02
Nioundsei'ie, Marshall Co Va, april &c, 81.

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the fact that i am self.announccd for
Congress. This is in exact accordance
with my ideas of Republicanism, and
being in accordance Herewith, as well
as with the primitive simplicity of the
genius of our people, hope the. day
Is not distant when private caucuses
and party conventions shall cease, and
every man who wishes, run without let
or hindrance.
My ideas of Americanista and Amer
ican policy, are not predicated on the
principles or workings, successful or
otherwise ofpresent or obsolete parties,
but upon the laws of the development
of races, and types of men, from the
rude to the social, and political capaci-
ty for government. On these laws,
and not on the fortuitics of parties or
political creods, are we Dependent. for
perpetuity, for national character, and
prosperity. l see plainly from these
laws, which are absolute, and indepen-
dent of external influences in the final
results, that-we can have no national
type-no national characterize ma
tioEal policy, from a perpetually in
creasing conglomcration or mixing Of
races. And hence, as prize first of
all, my own country and its institu-
tons, and next to this the reflex effect
OF superior political maxims and policy
on other races, l am for a policy which
will develop an American type-form
national character, and incorporate in
the mental constitution of our people a
natural repugnance to monarcy and
tyranny, natural tendency and love
Of Republicanism in it's simplest and
purest form. h#
have ever, and shall ever, advocate
anat!onal policy, exclusively American,
protecting and fostering every form of
American enterprise, capacity and in
terest. believing, however, that a just
state Of society would base commercial
enterprise on free trade, l am not un-
willing to trade free with those who
will adopt the same commercial code.
But L am unwilling to sacrifice our
rights and interest to that political
monstrosity which demands that We
shall waste our energies on people who
will neither appreciate nor reciprocate.
1t would be much better for those who
contend so earnestly for free trade, to
adopt a policy which would compel the
commerce of the world to that stand
ard. ..
| Though not directly connected with
this canvass, it may be proper for me
90 say, that | am now, and always have
been, in faVo" Of a circulating medium,
perfectly safe and free from liability of
loss to note-holdcrs. Such banking
institutions, Safe or national, can lie
constituted, without injustice to any
person. Banks are gotten up as any
other speculation, for the interest of
stockholders. 2ndly. For the use of
the community. 1t is therefore the
right of the community to demand that
they shall be made absolutely safe. In
a word, that banks shall not be compo-
tent to fail. L hesitate not to say that
VIC can have just such institutions.
In reference to foreigners, resident
and naturalized, | have only to say,
that it is their right and our duty to
accord all that our laws offered when
they came. That we cannot make an
&C post .tacto law. But this is no rca-
son why our policy should not change,
why we should not make other con
ditlons for the future, as cxigcncy may
seem to demand.
L am clearly and fully satisfied that
customs and land sales are both lily a.
dapted to national revenue. The land
must one day be all sold, and this re-
source cut off. Customs must fluctuate
from year to year, and thus leave a de-
ficiency or collect surplus, both of
which arc political evils. am there
fore in favor of an economical conduct
OF the Government, and q permanent
and regular source of revenue; to this
we must some day arrive, At present
[ am in favor of distributing the sur
plus revenue, as we'll as an equitable
division Of the public domain. Large
grants Of lands have been made to
States and to companies, and these
grants have been concurred in by mem.
bers of all parties. Now l can see no
means of restoring the equilibrium,
doing justice, but by an equitable d.
vision. 0..
1t is more than likely that shall
not make a single speech during the
convass, | am too busy with my agri-
cultural pursuits. 1t is spring time,
and sced-timc, and I must put in
crop, SO that if left at home by the
"dcor people," ! may still have the