Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-01-28
ALEXANDRIA,:
FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY rs, 1859.
A Speech Proposed-and how only it can be
answareA

The Richmond Enquirer has bit Of satire,
which is as effective as q grave argument
would be-and, probably, more so. Its pith
and point need no direction to show them to
the reader. The Enquirer proposes that the
Wing Convention should nominate Andrew
Hunter, or some other old Wing like him
and then gives what it thinks would proba-
bly, be the speech of such candidate, to the
people. in the present condition of public
affairs But let us hear the Enquirerin full:
We can well imagine how Il man of Mr.
Hunters tact and intelligence would play
his part. The following would probably be
the epitome of his opening address:
Fellow Citizens the last few years
have stood aloof from existing party organi-
zations and the current of partisan politics.
Immovably sttached to the great plan of pub
lie policy expounded by Daniel Webster and
Henry Clay, have, of late, found no organ
ICED party to embody its principles or to
further its dictates. But at this moment an
unforeseen conjuncture offers the opporuni-
" for reorganization upon the platform of
lS4S From point whence we least expec
ted, new light has issued to guide us back
TO the efficient vindication of the American
system The President of the United States,
elected and sustained by party which has
hitherto staked its existence on the suppress
sion of this policy, now comes forward, and
by official recommendations endorses and re-
asserts every leading feature Of the time
honored doctrines of the Wing party. In
ternal Improvements by the General Gov
eminent, protective tariff, immediate
federal control over all the financial agen-
cies of the Union, embodying the Wing
policy of bankrupt law. and answering
every purpose of national bank, larger
standing army, an increased navy-all these
criterions of Wing faith are openly adyoca-
ted by the President And the course of
policy adopted by the Administration, amply
demonstrates that these indications are not
employed as mere catchwOrds Of popularity.
The whole scheme is well-adapted to the full
accomplishment of its obvious tendencies,
and the way has been prepared for each re-
commentator with unmistakabe sagacity.
In the fall of 1857, when the pressure of 4
financial crisis was already reducing the re-
ceipts of the Treasury, the balance in the
Treasury was more than sufficient to have
wiped out the public debt A narrow-mind-
ed, so-called Observation-Disclosures view,
would have required such an application of
the fund. More enlarged views prevailed
The Administration recognised the high duty
of relieving commercial pressure, even at
the expense of the Treasury. The interest
of the people was cared for. Instead of de-
ferring the application of number of APP
preparations, they were promptly paid over,
and the fund was poured freely into the
Golfers Of banks at the great commercial CEN
tire of New York Other appropriations
have since been applied, and the general sys-
tenn of expenditure conducted on the same
liberal principle. The consequence is that
the public debt has increased, until it has
become great conservative element OF gov
eminent, supplying investment to large capt.
talists; and the current rate of expenditure
has grown to size which requires for its
supply tariff essentially protective, what
ever may be it's form. Everything has thus
been prepared, the way has been paved for
protective tariff, and now the recommends
ton of specific duties is all sufficient to rem
der the system permanent.
"On the subject of Internal improvements,
the President has gone to the full limit re-
auired by the most ardent advocate OF the
system. Passing by the old idea of com
mon defence and general welfare he finds
in the power to declare war;, a far broader
scope for the application of doctrine, the
great patriotic object of which is to CONSOLE
date this Union Of States by material bonds,
winding through every member and binding
all together, with more than adamantme
strength.
"And the policy of federal bankrupt law
has been revived in form which gives 1t new
vitality and ten-fold strength 1t is adapted
TO vigorous Capitalization of political con-
troll in the hands of the General Government
to the humiliation of small and precarious
provincial establishments, the building up
of great centre bank, more powerful than
the old bank of the United States, which will
supply every remote point with money ac-
through its radiating agencies
Nor are we left without assurance on an
other point of Wing policy. The present
liberal management of the Land once, 1ur-
nishes the best practical argument OF DIS
tribution OF public lands. 1t scatters to the
wind the strict constructionist idea that tins
property shall be held as q source OF revenue
since, under the present system, instead OF
Welding revenue, it is an actual burden to
the Treasury.
"Thus the great cardinal objects of the 60
policy which have ever constitu-
ted the conservative political creed of the ma
ton, are all secured, &C., &C., &c, &c
Il take my stand. then, side by side with
James Buchanan, on the great questions OF
national policy shall regard my election
rs Governor Of Virginia, in the light OF a
direct endorsement of the principles which
he sustains, and which desire to see permac,
ncntly carried out in the administration OF
the General Government. l appeal to the
supporters of the President, not less than to
The men who have sustained his principles
under party organization different from his
,wn, to unite with me in bringing the potent
oree of the voice of Virginia, to sustain hum
in his present position. That position has
become a necessity of the age in which we
i've. 1t behooyes us then to cast aside the
mere partizan prejudices and personal par
ialities in which we have hitherto INDUCED
md 10 ignore mere distractions. BY en-
lorsinr the course of the President, Virginia
AN decide the course Of the Union. ap,,
,ea, for a decision at the polls which will
,nabls her thus to control the destiny OF the
D.1,J
This is the speech which the RIchm0""