Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-05-07
SPEECH OF HON. WIN. G. RIvEs.

SPEECH OF HON. WIN. G. RIVE6.
lcoNcLUDED.
The startling abuses which have been recently
brought to light, In the various branches Of the pub
lie administration, are not accidental, or occasional,
or simply personal. They are the necessary, logical,
inevitable results Of the system Of political morality
embraced, and indeed protested, by the party in
power. n the Government Is to be administered
solely for the benefit and selfish interests Of a party,
then fcllow-citizens your rulers have not been un-
faithful TO their creed.
Aud who, permit me to ask, according to this mo
dern system Of political tactics. constitute the party?
Are they the rank and flc-the great body of worthy
and respectable citizens who do the voting-that
constitute the party, in n practical sensef No, fcl-
low citizens, we all know, and mn sure that many
| OF my Democratic friends will sustain me in what |
sa,-it is a few adroit political managers, who, for
the most part. make n trade OF politics, that consti-
,ufc the real party, in every practical influential
sense. 1t is they that make tIc nominations-they
that make the political issucs-thcy that construct
the party platforms and the sovereign people, how
ever their conscicnces and better feelings may revolt
have no option, under this new martial law Of party
discipline. but to obey, or TO be shot as deserters.
j. this, fellow citizens, the system Of government
which our noble and free-born ancestors bequeathcd
to us? l. this n government of the p'oph7 Is this
a UcmocrGcy, in the virtuous and honorable sense in
which only a free people would accept it, or is it not
rather an oigdrchy of the worst and most degrading
character-a sordid oligarchy of meroenary Office
seekers? have the satisfaction to know that there
ARE Democrats in Virginia, ut least, who %repudiate
such a systcm-who will not permit themselves To
be manacled with such vile letters who will assert
their privileges az freeman, their dignity as men.
In a free country there will he, there must be par
ties. But to he virtuous and honorable, and to merit
the support OF the people, they must be founded ON
principle, and honestly pursue the public good rs
heir nim-not the acquisition Of power for mere
selfish aud interested ends.
See. fellow -citiZcns, how this natural and legiti-
mate constitution Of parties has been perverted Of
late, in this country, by the corrupting influences OF
the new system Of political ethics taught and prac-
ticed by the party in power. What were the distin-
gushing principles of the Democratic party, profess
scd in the DAYS Of its purity, by its great founder,
Thomas Jefferson? simplicity and economy in tho
public expensc--a jealous limitation of executive
powcr-a sacred reg ard for the freedom Of elections
"A stern prohibition of all official interference with
thcm-pcace and honest friendship with all nations.
With democratic traditions, and even professions
Of simplicity and economy, your two last admins
irations have, III SIX years, carried up the annual eA-
pcnscs of the Government from 40 to so millions of
ioiiars, Il speak approXimativcly and In round NUM-
hers having exhausted "A surplus of 20 or 80 mil
lions. and nov living from hand 10 mouth, on the
hoggIrlv and ruinous %expedient of loans while at
the same time we have seen Democratic members OF
Congress, 10y an act of unprecedented c%npidity and
in violation of all dcccnCy, as well ms the spirit of
the Constitution, doubling their pay, and voting the
Increase into their own pockets by II retrospective
provision, and surrounding themselves, ut an cnor-
nous waste of the public treasure, with luxurious
a commentators hll tNlIHNhehII ullONh HftS, iutl
pat to shame all we read of ovfcnial magniiiccncc
! and seli-indulgencc.
With Ike professions of Democratic jealousy Of
! executive" power, your President modestly calls upon
the representatives Of the people TO transfer To him
the power of peace and war-to give him, in effect.
the sole ireaty-making powcr-to place millions of
til" public money nj his discrction-and to invest
Inn with military protcctorntcs over foreign states.
lh the came pro".scd allegiance to democratic
principles. he tramIle, under foot the sacred regard
3 iutulrltcl by the touNltr of the dpnoCrutic marty
tor the freedom of elections and brings the whole
patronage and Influence OF his high Office to control
elections IN the States, from the humblcst represent
,ativc trust up to that of Senator of the United
States. Succeeding to the Democratic maxim of
peace and honest friendship with all nations, he
threatens all by bclljrosc dcnunciations, in order to
keep up the tagging spirit Of party devotion by fac
titions appeals 10 national pride and honor.
Can such n party as this be said to be founded
upon any public principle? If it is. it is upon prin-
ciplcs directly the reverse of those which were
taught by the author and acknowledged oracle OF
the democratic iaith-which gave that great man
the confidence and support of the people-and which
originally established the asccndancy Of the party
in tue councils of the nation. Will the intelligent
aud patriotic people Of this country permit them
selves 10 be dupcd by II mere name. seductive as it
ma! he, when every principle which belongs To il in
is proper Interpretation, and in lis ancient and hon
orablc traditions, is openly renowned and disrt-
garlcd hy. those who now assume it?
Hnt may go further, and ask if there is n single
principle of any sort held in common by the members
OF the now dominant party? The fivorite and pro-
mimi NJ measures Of the present administration are
the thirty million Cuba appropriation-the transfer
of the war-mating power-the Mexican pro,ectoratc
the Pacific rpiiroad-a protective tarif-and, until
/ lntcly. the %Leeompton Constitution. Is there any
union in the party npon n single one Of these meas
utcs! No, fellow citizcns. there is division and dis
sention upon all OF ~them-fagrant intestine war
unon sUme-and upon others, it is hard TO decide
whether IL majority of the party agree with or differ
e. ON, iIInir Drasilau. npl thinF in ,ha m