The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1863-03-24
JOHN VAN BURENs' SPEECH.
Now and Then-A Democratic Pre-.
aL ce0cnt.

OIL INC legislation OF 1889, when the Demo-
cratic patty was !aboring with might and main
to get up hoslililies with Great Britain on the
Main Boundary question. We had thought
to make an abstract Of what he said, but his
words on this point arc SO complete an an.
swer to tho sympathzcrs with the South, who
are making the heavens ring with charges Of
danger to our "liberties," usurpation," dicta
torship," that We copy the report of that part
of his speech entire, as wo find it in tho N. Y
journals:
The third, gives the President power to
call out $4,000 volunteers. In those days,
when cur army had never reached 5000 men
it was weighty matter to call out $4,000,
and Was regarded as an enormous authority.
Laughter
The fourth section give the President pow.
er to complete'and employ all the armed ves-
sells OF the U. s.. thus putting the whole army
and navy Of the U. s. at bis disposal. lAp-
plause.
The fifth section appropriates $1,000, 900
to carry into effect the provisions OF this act.
In those days ten millions of dollars was a
great deal of money. Laughter.
The sixth section appropriates $4,000 to
send special Minister to Great Britain. Tho
seventh section authorizes him to expend a
million Of dollars in finishing the Notifications
upon our seaboard, and building them. The
eighth section directs that the militia and the
volunteers, when called out, shall be portions
Of the army of the U. S.
Now, how do you suppose that bill passed
1t put the whole purse and sword into tho
absolute power of the President of the United
States. Clay, Webster and Calhoun-mcn
perhaps inferior 10 tho Salons Of our day,
laughter were members ofthe Senate. The
bill passed the Senate, aud these three states.
mon- although all violently opposed person :
ally and politically to the then President of
the United States, voted for the bill, and it
passed the Senate unanimously. Applause. ]
1t passed the House Of Representatives, after
a full discussion, by vote of 2Ol 10 6, and
the leader Of that six was Henry A. Wise
Kisses the bold brigadier who distinguish
cd himself at Nag's Head-[laughter l--w bile
his brigade WIS fighting and bis soul dying.
[ Applause.
Now let US see whether the Democracy of
our day was alarmed at this union of the purse
and the sword, and, in the first place, let us
see how the political opporents of the Ad-
ministration treated it. Governor Seward was
then Governor Of the State of New York, hav-
ing been elected in 1888, and a political op-
ponent of the President. On tho 7th Of
March he communicated this act to the Leg
islaturo, with most praiseworthy message,
concluding thus: | respectfully call your at :.
tention to this subject with the expectation
that an expression on our part Of concurrence
in the policy Of the General Goversmont will
contribute to avert the calamites Of war aud
cause speedy and honorable adjustment of
the difficulties between this country aud Great
Britain"
Mr.. Isaac L. Varian was then Chairman of
the Democratic General COMMITTEES, and Mr..
Elijah f. Purdy was one of the Secretaries.
They called meeting of the Democrats Of
this city, and over that meeting Mr.. Holmes,
presided, and Tor Vice Presidents were men
whose names, when read to any Democrat,
will bring back associations of great interest,
and perhaps Of some sadness, unless be sup
poses that the prominent Democrats in the
city now are more respectable than those
whose names will read. The Vice Presi.
dents were Henry Yates, Walter Browne,
Sammue Tappan, Myndert Van Schaick,
Gideon Tucker, Abraham Van Nest; ard they
ion of the purse and sword--not that il was
a usurpation--but that it was piompA and
patriotic measure on the part Of the House OF
Representatives. Loud Cheers
Let us see how il was received by the
electors. 1t was on the I'd and Sd days OF
March, as have stated to you. The election
in New Hampshire came on then as it will
now within few days, after the adjournment
of Congress; and New Hampshire, which had
been somewha. equally divided, gave 1000
majority for the Democratic ticket. l shall
be pleased if my Democratic friends find il
gives a large majority now. [Cheors and
laughter.] The city Of New York, by de-
fection of tho conservative portion Of the De.
mocracy, had been thrown into the hands o
what was thon called The Wings. The city
election almost Immediately followed, and the
city was recovered Isaac l.. Varan was
elected Mayor by a thousand majority, and
twelve out Of seventeen wards gave Democla
tic msjoritics, Immediately after this extraor
binary usurpation.
General Scott who was to have presided
here this evening, fortunately for the courtry
was then prominent iu the command of The
armies OF the United States. On tho 9TH liz
went to Maine, aod he remained there unit
about the 2lst, when he concluded an arrange.
ment with Lieutenant Governor Harvey, by
which tie British troops retired from tbe
position in the State Of Maine; the Maine
troops also retired, and civil officers were ef
in protection Of the public property, and b,
his wis iom and his foresight, by tho Gath o
March he Nts able TO report TO the Govern
ment Of the United States that the Who'll,
difficulty had passed over. Applause.
Not dollar was expended, not a man wa
called ont, not man from the militia wa
brought into the field under this act, and
would DO glad 10 know why il may not hap
pen that this extraordinary demonstration OF
the part of the Congress OF the United States
Of the power and resources of the loyal por
tion of this Confederacy will not again be fol
lowed up by a similar auspcious result. Th
successful way 10 prosecute war is to max
an overwhelming demonstration Of strcugtl
to satisfy those who are prepared 10 resist th
rightful authority Of tbs Government, tba
the resistance is useless, and that this must b
crushed out. [Choers. Now, gentleman
there is nothing, in my humble judgment
h., L..