The Washington union., 1857-06-06
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SPEECH OF THE HON. HENRY W. HII1AHD,
Al Montqomav AlaBaaa, Apra, 1857.

f1ghJ pTlYaIe
ions upon public affairs without being subjected to abuse
and detraction He TO defend the right Of pTirae
Judgment which had been assaied in him. Under the
pressure of political events far greater in their sgni
canoe than the party issues upon questions OF policy
which had hitherto divided the people of the South he
had been forced by his convictions of duty to the
country of consistency with the principles he had uni
ormy advocated TO declare his determination OF support
ing the present conservative constitutional admnista-
ton. This had thrown him into communion with those
whom he had formerly opposed upon issues no longer
existing For this independent exercise OF right that be-
longed TO him man. of duty that deyolyed ON him
as patriot he had been attacked with bitterness OF Ian
guage, vindctyeness of feeling, meanness OF spirit
that unparalleled in the history of parties or men in
the South IN all the contests through which he had
passedand there memorable for their fierce
ness-he had with personal courtesy and mag
unanimous appreciation of his motives from his former OPP
ponens He had endeayored during his residence In this
community for more than twenty years, to fulfil
all the obligations social and political which his position
had imposed He defied any to put his finger upon
the point in his where he could justly say Hee,
SIR you deserted friend, untrue to principle
you proessed deceived betrayed your party Now,
however his motives aspersed, his misrepre
sented and his letter msconsrued and distorted with
magnty inexcusble it unexpected Criticism,
legitimate and fair. he had anticipated and invoked but
ytuperaon he instinctyely srunk from twas consonant
neither with his habits tase the he could meet and
repel the other he could not condescend to- He could
readily understand the severity of the disappointment to
some of the aspants whose little local designs could not
now SO readily be effected, He that in his
movement over the political field he had tramped upon
and destroyed the pay traps and snares for which
they had scattered through it the sticks which he had
kicedup with his feet yet darkened the air He could
conceive the extreme modification which such result
had produced amongst class whose political horizon
limited to local purposes and bounded by their own sell
6sness; who regarded politics game, and personal
elevation as its end whose idea of party that of
an association OF men united by stronger ties than that
which banded together wolves for their prey But he had
higher Objects and nober aspirations which embraced
yhoIoc highest in
noting the peace security and welfare of the people of
these States for whose common benefit the Union had been
formed because he had associated himself with national
party which in majority he who had during his whole
life belonged TO one which in minority long it
had an existence and while in it had obtained every posi-
ton he had desired accused OF fearing 1nnorty lie
has been selected the leader OF that party In this con-
aressiona district 1T was formerly constituted, ana
through contest warmly and ably conducted, with
one exception than any he had Witnessed had borne
that nporii,fag to victory, and won for himself seat
in Congress which he had held until 1t was conceded to
him by the opposition He relnquished it voluntarily,
when he might retained It, and returned to private
life with public honors still within his reach All that
he had ever enjoyed he had for himself not by in
trique nor chcanery, indirection, but openly,
fairly, in the light of day, the field, wrestling
them from opponents who as then did justice to
his character and conduct he was indebted to his Old
friends for their support he had entitled himself 10 IL by
his struggles in their behalf and repaid it by services
which, up the present time they had never hesitated
to acknowledge BY the skirts Of no man had he been
pulled into position he had seized one by the skirts
to pull him down, Now he was pursued by them with
abuse traduced in every possible way; the sanctity
which surrounds gentleman in his private life and social
intercourse violated the free pstuied expressions
of friendly converse, the sentiments that ~ moment OF
fervor amidst of unusual excitement, gushe from
his were seized upon perverted travestied for
purposes Of aunt and conturnely Not satisfied with
their own achievements if his adversaries could Gull from
obscure democratic paper, published at village In
another State spitefu aluson ungeneros word
it hailed unanswerabe argument and heralded
ns a triumph Such victories belonged to them.
Even his had been objected to he was too polite
q man for his old associates. lie hoped that in allyng
himself with the democracy he would find himself in
company where could politely bow without being sub
iected censure and the largest liberty allowed Of be-
ing wellmannercd paragraphist had said Of him that
he would not be impolte to the depH He doubted
not that he had met the writer of it the streets and
politely bowed to him, and the fellow, struck with his
condescenson had taken it for granted he would take off
his hat to the devil himself The friends OF his satanic
majesty should not complain of his cyiiity These
weapons with which he assailed, and he deed them
they might turn all their guns, and concentrate him
the ferces fire that assiled politician, but bear
ing in his hand the flag for which he fought he would
face their batteries unappaed and crossing the terri
BILE bridge establish his position unscatled
Why was this animosiy thus evinced towards one
whom heretofore these gentlemen had favored with their
surages 1t difficult to believe that it was only be-
he had exercised the prerogatve of freeman and
ayowed opinions which they had prosscd Yet it was;
and w,va Because he had published, in the form of let
President whose inaugural maintains the very principles
for which he ant they had conended upon the great
question which threatened something than divis
ion of partieseyen the severance of the Union. He
could not be restrained from giving his earnest cordial
and Jealous support to administration governed by
the principles announced in that inaugural because it
happened to have been elected by party against which
he had heretofore contended He belonged not to that
class of who delighted to ingel among the tombs
who envened by the smell of the charnelhouse
he had not the tastes of vampire. Upon issues which
" obsolete he had nothing to say State rights
always, he had thought and felt in times past that
the democracy had trampled upon him and those who
heard him but he dealt only with living issues the
practical questions which met him, the Sphinx, which
crossed his daily path, demanding solution death.
To that party President which gave that
productive of safety be IT called democratic by
whatever name he gave in his adhesion and pledged his
support he accepted it, and all without addition
qualification.
To sustain the assault made him. it alleged that
he said in his letter he supported Mr. Fillmore 10 elect Mr.
Buchanan"
There nothing of the kind in it, anything that
could assmilate it, but by the most ignorant wul
perversion
He wrote my political and personal relations to Mr..
Fillmore left me choice to my course long he
continued in the field, and give him my support
would lead a forlon hope in the face of opposing
force too powerful to leave the least chance of
Throughout the late canvass however from the first
speech to the last, did justice to Mr. Buchanans char
acer, Abilities and patriotism dissenting from some of
his opinions, then construed them but at all times
avowng my confidence in him. and expressing my con
viction that he would make q safe President If Mr.
Fillmore declined canvass nc I had rnaeo, a. o,,o