Ohio History Journal

382       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

Paradise Lost, Butler's Hudibras, Tam O'Shanter, or other

long poem of which Mr. Douglas was fond, he could quote

the following line.

In stature Mr. Douglas resembled his relative, Stephen A.

Douglas, "the little giant," being below medium height and in

his latter years of rather portly outline. He was a man of great

industry, integrity, earnestness of purpose and strength of char-

acter. He was an active and eloquent advocate of Temperance.

What is said to be the first Episcopal Parish in the Northwest

Territory, St. Paul's in Chillicothe, was organized in his library.

He had a rich fund of humor and a ready wit. In 1840 he

held a large crowd waiting long in the rain for the arrival of

General Harrison by hitting off the characteristics of the men

before him in impromptu doggerel. Thomas Ewing in his auto-

biography published in the QUARTERLY last January, in giving

some account of the lawyers "on circuit" in the early days of

Ohio's history, speaks of "Dick Douglas, our wit par excellence".

The following speech delivered before the great Whig Con-

vention held in Columbus on February 22-3, 1836, with the ac-

companying letter from Mr. Douglas to the Committee who re-

quested it for publication, tells its own story.-EDITOR.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Columbus, Ohio, February 23d, 1836.

DEAR SIR-A large number of the members of the Conven-

tion having expressed a desire that your very excellent remarks,

made before the Convention, should be published; the under-

signed are requested to solicit that you will have the goodness

to furnish a copy thereof for publication.

We have the honor to be, very respectfully,

Your friends and obedient servants,

A. H. CAFFEE, J. M. BELL, IRA BELKNAP, T. L. PEIRCE,

A. PIER, HORTON J. HOWARD, R. C. SCHENCK,

GEO. SANDERSON, EDWARD W. DAVIES, JOHN B.

REED, J. N. WILSON, JAMES R. STANBERY, JOHN

CREED, JOHN G. CAMP, L. D. CAMPBELL, W. B.

CALDWELL.

RICHARD DOUGLAS, ESQ.

Speech of Richard Douglas, Esq., of Chillicothc.  383

Columbus, February 23d, 1836.

GENTLEMEN-When a thousand voices rose and reverb'd

from Pit, Box, Stage and Gallery-"A Speech from Douglas"-

"we can't adjourn till we hear from Old Dick;" I was stand-

ing like the "Catastrophe of the old comedy," cap in hand and

"half heel'd," ready to escape through the scenes to the back-

door of the play-house, upon an adjournment already announc'd.

Still, Gentlemen, to be honest with you, I could not then, nor

can I now, exclaim with Iago-"Aha, I like not that:"-For

although, in birth a Yankee-in habit, a Sailor-in adoption, a

Buckeye-in profession, an Old-Court-circuitizer-in occasional

circumstance, a Blovian-in principle, a Whig-yet in operative

politics, "I am materially all the way from Old Kentuck." I

not only approve the great leading precept in her own native

science, "down horse and up stump," but with her, I go it, from

snout to tail, "the whole hog."

I think it was Voltaire who made the assertion, that we

North-Americans had lain hold upon the further end of civiliza-

tion; if so, the transition from the Forum of Rome, to the stump

of Kentucky, is not any-wise too sudden; and no longer need

the glowing appeal of one of her ardent sons, remain unintellig-

ible to the most fastidious literary ear. "With my firm foot

planted upon this stump, pinion'd by the bail-ropes of the Con-

stitution, and canopy'd by these big walnuts, I don't vally the

rules of Aristotle and Quinctilian, tantamount to a chaw-tobac-

co."

It is no effort at sincerity, Gentlemen, to assure you, that

until the moment of being called on, I had not the most dis-

tant idea of opening my mouth in this Convention, further than

became the necessary discharge of detailed duties; nay, Sirs,

the arrangements were otherwise, and until "fairly stumped,"

had equal thought of uttering one of "Rumble-belly's sax-hoor'd

gadely sarments," as what might have escaped me upon the oc-

casion. I am happy if anything was said worthy of being en-

dured.

But, Sirs, to be called on almost simultaneously, by verbal

and written messages from all the districts, to furnish a copy

384       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

for the press, is paying me almost too severe a compliment.-

Had there been some

"Chiel amang ye takin not's,

"Faith he might prent it,"

for all my letting, had he done "the cause and me" even quarter

justice; but when told to my hither ear by such old friends as

the Creeds, the Satterthwaites, the Scofields, and hundreds of

the Whig party, that I ought to do it, where is the capacity for

objection ?

If I undertake, Gentlemen, it must be upon advice like that

of the cleanly housewife to have on hand, in "Joe Burton,"

who, when she had washed out all his chalk accounts upon the

pantaloon administered much comfort to his inconsolable feel-

ings, by kindly advising him to recollect what he could and set

down the rest to better men. I shall, therefore, (speaking in

county court vein) at the trial upon one plea; and that is-the

Pennsylvania liberal-of "trial upon the merits, with leave to

add and alter"; at the same time under the honest endeavor,

not to "travel out of the record" further than may be justified

by the rules of good pleading; always keeping heart under

that consoling passage of our own Squire-law, that "nothing

shall be 'squashed' for want of form if it contains any substance."

Gentlemen-Such as it is you shall have it. Take it for the

design rather than the coloring. It is a feeble off-hand tribute

to our cause; and if nothing more, may furnish to the west a

precedent for which the files of old Kentuck herself might

probably be searched in vain-"a printed Stump Speech."

I am, Gentlemen, Your sincere friend,

and fellow-operator,

R. DOUGLAS,

MESSRS. A. H. CAFFEE,

J. M. BELL,

J. SATTERTHWAITE, and others.

Speech of Richard Douglas, Esq., of Chillicothc.  385

SPEECH, ETC.

After the call had subsided, Mr. Douglas rose, and spoke

to the following effect.

Mr. President and Gentlemen-

That the eye of this most imposing assemblage should be

so suddenly bent, and its voice so ardently raised upon me, as

possessing the off-hand capacity to say something worthy of

them and the occasion, fills me with a pride of feeling to which

I am incapable of giving utterance-but I shall attempt no pref-

ace and make no apology, Gentlemen, other than to thank you:

-For duller must he be than the weed upon Lethe-Wharf, and

little versed in the great matter that appertaineth to the stump,

that could not be moved, yea, inspired, by such a call from such

a quarter as this,

"Whose form and cause conjoin'd,

Calling to stones might make them capable."

If ever, Sirs, there was emphatically a voice from  the

people heard in Ohio, it has been upon this ever-to-be-remem-

bered day-a day big with various "pomp and circumstance" to

our Country-for-

"It is her Father's natal day,

We hail it and adore."-

That sun which peered upon us on the morning of this Conven-

tion, and at this hitherto almost sunless season, was the sun of

Washington. It seemed to bespeak that its genial rays were

not wholly withdrawn from his country, and that at its going

down it did not sink in interminable night, to rise no more for-

ever.-This Country, Mr. President, has had sufficient trials to

test the value of its parentage-and never was there a time

when appeals strong and often were needed to the precepts,

counsels and legacies of the Father of his Country more than

the present.-It has been said by an eloquent foreigner writing

upon this nation, that its glory came in and went out with Wash-

ington. We trust and believe not, but rather that

Vol. XII - 25.

386       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

"Enough of that glory remains on our sword,

To light us to victory yet."

In standing upon this stage, Sir, and casting my eyes out upon

this unprecedented assemblage from all parts of this beautiful

Ohio, which like the Cytherean Venus has so lately come forth

from the deep wilderness, I am ready to call to some "spirit

from the vasty deep" to tell me what they have come out for to

see !-what they have come up for to do, upon this holy day of

Washington ?-But, Sir, the spirit seems to be already come,

and whispers me in the eloquent language of Mrs. Barbauld-

"The spoilers are among the works of his hands." Yea, Sir,

the tragic spirit already pervades the theatric stage itself; and

the tender language of Chamont in "The Orphan," of the lover

and beloved, seems in appliance to fitly speak forth of our be-

loved Country-

"Long she flourish'd,

Grew sweet to sense and lovely to the eye,

'Till at the last, the cruel spoiler came."

But, Sir, do we expect to parry or repair the blows and

wounds that are being inflicted upon this great work of Wash-

ington by the aid of tragedy, comedy, flimsy farce, or monstrous

pantomime?-No, Sir-but still the part that we are enacting

is essentially theatrical. We are in the midst of the fifth act

of a great National drama in twenty-four acts, called "The

Harrison Reformation;" the first act of which was opened in

Pennsylvania, the second in Maryland, third in Indiana, fourth

in New York, and fifth in Ohio-and we intend to enact it by

what the rules of the Stagyrite, or the powers of the Bard of

Avon himself, could not effect-I mean, Sir, by a strict preser-

vation of the unities-we are now holding as 'twere the mirror

up to our country.

If there be any in this extended assembly-any dear friend

of Jackson-any chivalric and high-minded Southron-any

full-soul'd-staunch-oak-hearted Northman-nay, from "Sea's to

Mississippi's shore," or as the Sailors have it, "from Casco bay

to the Straits of Magellan;" or hear me, "land o'cakes," from

Maiden Kirk to Jonny-Groat's house-any honest hearted poli-

Speech of Richard Douglas, Esq., of Chillicothe.  387

tician who originally supported General Jackson-let me ask

him and them, what were the incontestable reasons of preference

upon which this support was given?-Will not your full hearts

answer-"we supported him for his straight-forward, noble, and

high-minded bearing-as possessing more of the Roman than

any man living-for the honest and unsuspecting qualities of his

heart-one that possibly might 'be dup'd, but never dar'd'-

one who had fought and triumph'd for us in the trying hour-

yea, the old Anchises who bore the Eneas of his Country through

the flame and round about Troy-wall-the Man, (as we be-

lieved) of a sound head and honest heart.-That such a man

would honestly and fearlessly administer the Government we

had no doubt. With these views and feelings we rush'd to the

polls and gave him our heart-felt support."-Here let me pause,

my honest friends, long enough to ask you what one "Martin

Van-Buren," of a certain place called Kinderhook, was about

while you were making these honest determinations ?-Why,

Sirs, turn to the columns of his hundred-ey'd Argus; there you'll

see his productions-he is aptly called the Magician, and you'll

see him wiping his magic glasses for fresh observations: for in

true Astrologer style,

"He'd search a planet's house to know,

Who bought or sold a vote below;

Inquire of Venus or the Moon,

Who'd take the pap from silver spoon!"

And as to the paragraphs of his own paper, let us have them-

they will show what his ideas of Jackson were at this time.-

I quote from memory, but am quite sure that I am right in sub-

stance:-"It is heresy in the Republican party to attempt to

favor the pretensions of Jackson."-Again, "This Mister Jack-

son has no feelings in common with the Republican party."-

And again, "It is impudence in Jackson to attempt to impose

himself upon the Republican party as their candidate."-And

still again, "He affects to say that he is no party-man. Who

can tell what he is, unless an abductor, gambler, and horse-

racer?"-All this was said by him who when his ends were

served declared to the world that "it was glory enough for one

388       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

man to have served under such a pure Republican chief."-

No hypocrisy here, I suppose; all sincerity-no abuse, Hal-

no abuse, Ned-all made up boys.-We of this Convention, Mr.

President, have nominated our own Citizen, General William

Henry Harrison, as a more suitable person for President of the

United States than this Mr. Martin Van Buren. We offer him

to our Country-to Jackson men-and to original ones in par-

ticular. The question to all honest men is one of mere prefer-

ence: let it be honestly given-but of both these candidates anon.

Among the ideas, Mr. President, that are being developed

by the working of our popular institutions, that of love of coun-

try and country's friends is sufficiently prominent; and the dan-

ger now is, that the former notion of the ingratitude of Repub-

lics has oscillated to the opposite extreme.-It is that danger

which Carnot felt and uttered on the question of making Bona-

parte Consul for life-that we are too ready to reward the de-

fenders and supporters of our liberties, by the surrender of

those liberties themselves. The historic world is peopled with

a set of beings who have ever stood ready to make a mercenary,

selfish appropriation of that amount of reputation which prop-

erly belongs to a country. In the quality and apt denomina-

tion of pimps, snails, parasites, or favorites, they have ever hov-

ered about the path, bed, and Court of Princes, and have we

not cause now to say with equal truth of American Presidents?

The Edwards had their Gavestons and Spencers-the first

James his Carrs and Villiers-the beautiful Mary her Rizzio-

the great Catherine her Orloffs and Potemkins-and him of

Orleans and The horse-shoe, his Hills, Kendalls, Pearces and

Cambrelengs. They are a set of beings that cannot show or be

shown in the regular progressive order of things-in such a

state they have no room for action-possessing no intrinsic

value themselves, they can manifest none to the public. Junius

told Wilkes that such belonged to the bottom of the pool, and

there remained during the stillness of the waters; it was only

the concussion above that brought them up, and kept them upon

the surface; when the calm came on, back they returned to their

native mind and filth-they are the little toads of the Windham

Speech of Richard Douglas, Esq., of Chillicothe.  389

Boys that come down only in the hard storm-the fish of the old

Father Croswell, that the Devil always catches in troubled waters.

With a mean, selfish, lick-spittle fondling, they are ever ready

to poke their Dog's-ears under the gabardine of their Master,

and with a music called in the old Moralities "Sneaks' noise",

to bear tales and administer to his passions and prejudices. Each

one has a peculiar aptness to believe himself the particular fav-

orite-the heaven-born-the highly favoured one-and all, that

they are not only the tenants, but the very blood of the white-

house; and bound to resent all its injuries, not by an open,

manly resentment, but by spying, pimping, and tale-bearing. In

religion, they appear to be all Transmigrationalists, not only of

spirit but of body, and (before the death) fully believe that the

old Chieftain, body, soul and all, has entered their carcasses.

If so, much to the point are the verses of Mr. Congreve:

"Thus Aristotle's mighty soul that was,

Is now condemned to animate an ass,

Or in this very house for aught we know,

Is doing painful penance to some beau;"

And the old Hero may well exclaim-"O wretched man that I

am," &c. Not a word can be said to the disparagement of their

course, but out it comes-"how basely the President is slan-

dered." Stick a spade into their dirt, and you are at once a tres-

passer upon the holy grounds of the Hermitage. Commence

the savory operation of tanning their Dog's-hides, and "Sneaks'

music" is up like the call of a Boatswain's Yeoman-"Oh how

the Old Hero's back smarts!"   That great historic character,

Sir John Falstaff, found precisely such a set, not only sneaking

about the ante-chamber and ward room of the Palace of King

Henry the Fourth, but sometimes at the Boar's-head in East-

cheap. The good old Knight describes them to the life. Prick

the Bull Calf, says he, in shin or finger, and he roars out-"O

damning treason! how his Majesty suffers"-"there goes a little

more of the royal blood," &c.

I am no "regular establish'd" prophet myself, Mr. Presi-

dent, although there is prophetic blood near my veins, for I had

an Aunt that is said to have died prophesying-yet I will here

390       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

upon this stage, this fitting place for the representation of the

future, as well as the past, venture the prediction that if ever

General Jackson's reputation fails with posterity, it will fail upon

the ground of his having yielded too easy and unsuspecting a

confidence to this horde of domestic mercenaries. His friends

cannot then-indeed, Sir, his real friends cannot now defend

his total vacillations from himself, and his own solemn rules

and precepts, upon any other grounds, or place the imputation

to any other cause than their "malign influences." They have

almost finished the work of putting out the eyes of the old Belis-

arius, and instead of "Gloria Ronanorum," fable may become

history in its application, "Date Belisario obolum quern virtus

evexit, invidia dipressit."  The retreat to the Hermitage so ar-

dently desired by the spoilers, will be the Ponte-corvo of the

chief, where (give them the spods) his reputation may sleep with

his bones forever, unless some other Marmontel shall arise to

bring it forth in the habiliments of romance. The magic scissors

of Delilah, one of the blazoned gules of their leader's coat of

arms, will hang pendant at the Senatorial chair, until the shorn

Samson has gone down to Timnah.

Where then in his days and goings down of the Sun,

"When pale concluding winter comes at last,

To shut the scene:"

Where then, I say, will he seek the consolations of those old

and tried friends, which according to the Son of Sirach, are

the medicine of life, and balm of death? Will he send out a

distant Macedonian cry, for the Van-Burens and Beardsleys to

come over and help him?-or will he give a "Grundian" call

nearer home?-Ah! says one, the veil of that friendship is so

loosely, flimsily, and carelessly worn, that it

"Shows its satire to a nation's eyes."

Will the whole mass of insect matter which has since vegetated

upon the mantle of the Regency pool, with their green-eyed

visages, come to minister those bland and holy consolations so

grateful to his closing hours?

Speech of Richard Douglas, Esq., of Chillicothe.  391

"Schueig Du Hund-Das nenn'ich mir cinen Konig,

Selig der den er im Siegerglanze fendet"

says Van Buren.

Where are then-nay-where are now the pure "White"

napkins that erst were at the kindly office of wiping those patri-

archal hands, that were touched and fain would have smelt of

the mortality of the spoilers?  Where those clear "Village

Bells" that now pealed upon his ear "in cadence sweet, then

dying all away"-that gently sounded and warned the approach

of the Brigands?-All done, but not to death-their candlesticks

removed, but not their lights put out. The fiery, open and un-

suspecting Othello, still extended his confidence to "that honest

creature" Iago, and Jackson's arms still encircle another one-

"While softly sweet in Lydian measures,

How Van soothes his soul to pleasures."

under the ministering song of those holy angels, Kendall and

Blair-and so perchance, Sir, may it be, until fatally too late

discovered for him and his country, when darkness shall have

become the burier of the dead, "and the rude scene shall end"

with-"put out the light-and then-put out the light!"

To break in upon this servile state of favoritism, and pre-

vent its perpetuation. To protest against the establishment of

the two great fundamental principles of Van Burenism-viz.

1st.-That a government of the people is to be carried on by

secret party organization; and, 2d.-That the benefits arising

from that government do not belong to the people at large, but

to the party, and to be distributed exclusively among partisan

friends and favorites. To oppose with determined firmness the

nominee of the Hockers and Ruckers-and lastly, to bring in a

more suitable successor to Jackson, the Penns-men of the Key-

stone State have led off and fixed their eyes upon a citizen of

our own-WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, of Ohio. And

who, Mr. President, is this Harrison?

"Tell us, for doubtless thou can'st recollect,

His birth, and nature, age, and state, and place;

Thou deign'st to reply."

392       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

Why, Sirs, he is of the city of Benjamin, of the house of

Jefferson, and tribe of

HANCOCK.

"Look on the Declaration, thou shalt see,

The names George Wythe, and Richard Henry Lee."

and next,           TH. JEFFERSON,

BENJ. HARRISON.

What an association!!!

Col. BENJAMIN HARRISON of Virginia, the Father of him

who, upon this birthday of Washington, has received our nom-

ination for Washington's chair, was a prominent signer of the

Declaration of Independence-he was the stoutest and the bold-

est of the old Congress of Seventy-six; yea, essentially, the

"Greatheart" of this American pilgrimage. It is related of him

that after he had lifted Hancock into the Chair to sign the Dec-

laration, and the members were gathering around the table,

he had turned his face toward "little John Hart" of "the Jar-

seys," and was observed as if figuring with his pencil. On

Hart's wishing to know what, he was doing, he answered, "I

was just figuring, Johnny, by a rule in arithmetic, to find out how

much sooner this thing will be over with me, than with you and

Han. My weight will soon do the work, unless I break the

rope, while you two are likely to hang dangling and kicking for

half the day."

Of the genealogy of Mr. Van Buren, some difficulty is said

to exist by reason of the confusion in some of the early records

of "the renowned City of WEISSNICHTWO,"* especially those

of the two great chroniclers, Heuschreke and Hinterschlay, and

even the authority of both these, according to Major Noah's la-

test and best, is likely to be much shaken by the Irish claims

lately advanced, and may raise that of Mr. Van Buren to a royal

line, instead of that of a "signer."  "The Van Burens, (says

Terry O'Lafferty,) were of the Irish pissantry; I knew the fam-

ily well in Carrickfergus, and one Bryan Van Buren was of the

ould Kings of Connaught, sure."

But leaving genealogies, let us come to personal merit, which

it will be allowed in and by a democracy, is what a public man

* Know-not-where.

Speech of Richard Douglas, Esq., of Chillicothe.  393

may well call his own. Let us compare the men themselves,

both in faculty and action. What:

"Van Buren and Harrison,

Oh the comparison ! !

Harrison-Van Buren,

'Tis past all endurin."

"Look then you on this picture-then on this."

Q. Where was Harrison in 1791?

A. A stripling youth upon the lonely road, like Bunyan's

Pilgrim, with pack in hand, and his face from his own dear home,

finding out his "uncouth way" to these lonely Western wilds, to

prepare this fair inheritance for us-now the best hope and

heritage of ourselves and our children.

Q. Where was Van Buren at that time?

A. Learning the letters of his political horn-book, accom-

plishing himself for pettifogging and future politics, as time and

chance might determine.

Q. Where was Harrison in 1794?

A. Side and side with him whom we famililarly call "Old

Mad Anthony," in the heat of savage war, and gaining the first

and greatest victory over them at the decisive battle of the Mau-

mee Rapids-and that too, upon the very territory which Van

Buren and his satellites would now surrender to Michigan, for

the purchase of its votes-then repairing the preceding disasters

in the West, and relieving our frontier settlement from the hor-

rible dread of the savage tomahawk and scalping knife.

Q. Where was Van Buren at that time?

A. Preparing himself for the sublime operation of bar-

room pettifogging, and political juggling, about him then well

known as "old Federal Gardenier."

Q. Where was Harrison in 1795?

A. Still at the right hand of Old Mad Anthony, carrying

out, as secretary and assistant in council, what he had done as

aid in action-Wayne and Harrison sitting together at Green-

ville-securing at that great treaty what their valor had won

in the field; being no other than this lovely land of Ohio, in-

cluding the very ground on which we are now assembled.

394        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

Q. Where was Van Buren at that time?

A. Still at famous Kinderhook-clawing off from        his old

patron, and preparing for the political cloud then appearing in

the horizon, and to set up the trade of politics for himself.

Q   Where was Harrison from     1796 to 1810?

A. Employed in organizing the government of the country

which his services had so greatly contributed to secure, and build-

ing up its rising institutions-acting in the various departments

of Military Commander, Governor, member of Congress, and

Territorial and State Legislator-superintending and settling the

governmental control over the Indian tribes-establishing the

great system of subdividing the public lands into small tracts,

for the benefit of the settlers-taking the settlers by the hand and

leading them out upon those lands which he had acquired by his

arms and secured by his councils, and organizing, settling and

fixing the local military force of the country.

Q. What was Van Buren about during all that time?

A. Preparing and putting in operation his political ma-

chinery, particularly that great one called the Van Buren Roster,*

* Within this celebrated machine, the oracles are said to have been

kept as profound secrets, and only imparted to the initiated, and so re-

mained, until Van Buren's second quarrel with the Clintons, when a friend

of that family, who had been unwarily admitted, is said to have procured

a copy and published them-some of which are as follows:

ORACLES OF VAN BURENISM.

1st. In political management, the end justifies the means--therefore,

all is fair in politics.

2d. It is easier to operate upon the credulity and feelings of men,

than to inform and enlighten their judgments-therefore, our party must

be called "the Democracy," and our opponents "the Aristocracy."

3d. "The Democracy" must be kept together and all means whatso-

ever, must be used to secure a majority to "the party."

4th. Whoever supports our partisans, is a democrat, no matter what

principles he holds, or by what rules of faith or morals he is governed.

5th.  In all novel political movements, be cautious and uncommitted,

until you are legally informed what course "the party" has determined on,

respecting them.

6th. All political management must be by caucus.

7th. The State must constitute one grand Caucus, the focus at the

Speech of Richard Douglas, Esq., of Chillicothe.      395

by which the Empire State was divided and subdivided into dis-

tricts and hundreds, each voter registered, and the proper means

taken for securing his vote.

Q. Where was Harrison in 1811?

A. Again meeting and defeating the ruthless savage upon

the battle-ground of far-famed Tippecanoe,

"Which tells each deed his arms had wrought,

"Upon this sacred hill,

"Where Owen, Spencer, Warrick fought,

"In death unconquered still."+

Q. Where was Van Buren at that time?

A. Organizing and keeping up the Tammany Buck-Tail

seat of Government, and under the constant supervision of at least twelve

of our distinguished select democrats.*

8th. Effectual means must be taken to have every voter's name and

residence, with his political sentiments, reported to the Grand Caucus.

9th. Never trust any measure or movement to the fortuity of open

debate, until it has been decided upon in caucus.

10th. In any great and sudden political movement, continue uncom-

mitted, both within caucus and without, until it is well ascertained what

course the majority is likely to take.

11th. A majority must be secured to "the party," no matter by

what means, at what sacrifice, or at what hazard.

12. No office of any kind to be given to any one but a partisan-a

fundamental oracle.

13th. Circumstances alter principles-therefore, talk little of party

politics openly-and be sure never to lay down any thing as a fixed prin-

ciple.

14th. Listen to no political speeches, and read no political docu-

ments, except those of "the party."

15th. No political legislative measure must be moved until the views

of the party are known upon it.

16th. Service money must be obtained and disbursed under the forms

of law.

+ This quotation is from a poem of some spirit called "Tippecanoe,"

composed for the occasion, by a young man bearing a name of historical

and heroic aptness, "William Wallace," and by him recited at the great

Harrison celebration upon the battle ground, at the last anniversary of

the battle, November 11, 1835.

* "The Albany Regency."

396       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

party, in order to destroy and put down that great public-spirited

statesman and patriot of the age, DeWitt Clinton.

Q. Where was Harrison in 1812, '13, '14?

A. Guarding the North-western frontier; and then, like

Scipio in Africa, high on the Thames of Canada, shoulder to

shoulder with time-honored Shelby of Kings-Mountain, and by

the victory there won putting an end to the second war for the

independence of America, as the great Africanus had upon a

foreign soil put an end to the second war for the independence

of Rome.

Q. Where was Van Buren at that time?

A. At Kinderhook, "ein dieupe steudiment," whether it

would serve his own ends best to carry out his plans for the over-

throw of Clinton, or to lay hold of the advantages presented by

our reverses to render the war unpopular, and thereon oppose

Mr. Madison by putting up Mr. Clinton-and finally deciding

upon the latter.

Q. Where was Harrison in 1823-4?

A. Like Cincinnatus, at his plough, waiting the call of his

country.

Q. Where was Van Buren at that time?

A. Getting up his Caucus at Washington for the avowed

object of opposing Jackson.

Q. Where was Harrison in 1829-30?

A. Serving his country essentially for his bread, in the mat-

ter of a small appointment to one of the Southern Republics.

Q. Where was Van Buren at that time?

A. Introducing the real spoils system at Washington, ac-

cording to his oracles, and insisting upon and finally obtaining

the recall of Harrison, in order to reward that most accomplished

electioneerer,-Free Tom Moore.

Q. What is Harrison at now, in 1835-6?

A. Occasionally at his little farm, and acting as Clerk of

the Court of Common Pleas of Hamilton county: he being very

poor; having become so by works of security and charity for

his friends and neighbors; his poverty being thrown up to him

in the Post, and Times, the two leading Van Buren papers in

Speech of Richard Douglas, Esq., of Chillicothe.  397

New York, as rendering him too mean and unfit for President

of the United States.

Q. What is Van Buren at, these times?

A. Chiefly at Saratoga Springs, in season, prigging his

cherry whiskers, and adjusting his clock stockings in the long sa-

loon, the sweetest little pink of the Madonnas: there, with his

$3000 English Coach and full English livery, riding "through"

hill and dale; he being able to afford it, as he is considered very

rich,-worth $250,000, which he has made by speculating in pol-

itics; all which he keeps very snugly, it not being known that he

has yet been caught at the foolish anti-democratic business of

parting with any for the works of charity or mercy.

Mr. Douglas then turning to the Chair, said-

Mr. PRESIDENT:-

It is an incident not the least felicitous in the many that do

honor to this consecrated day, that you are in that chair. Had

there been any thing wanting to have given a lasting habitation

and an honored name to this greatest of political meetings, the

name of JEREMIAH MORROW were sufficient. It seems to have

fallen to your envied lot not only to have been of the commodity,

but the very staple and preservative principle in the west of the

democracy of the old dispensation. And sir, lest nothing should

be wanting to complete the figure, we have in you a full sample

of the working of its institutions. After passing through all the

honors, civil and political, which a grateful people could con-

stitutionally bestow, you have returned, and in these days and

ends of the earth, are again their representative in the most pop-

ular branch of the State Government.

It is another of the most fortunate incidents of the occasion,

that in the association of time, place, and circumstance, you are

side and side with him who has this day received the honors of

our first advancement. HARRISON and MORROW were not only

the pioneers but the patrons of the west-with the red man of

the wilderness, be it with Tomahawk or Calumet, has it long

since been their lot to meet-while the gloom of these lonely

woods and wilds have been passing from before you, and giving

place to "the pomp of towns and garniture of fields," you have

398       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

been both engaged in building up the civil and political institu-

tions that now exist among us-you are now living to see and

enjoy the prosperity of the work of your hands.

"Look now abroad, another race has fill'd

These populous borders-wide the wood recedes,

And towns shoot up, and fertile realms are till'd;

The land is full of harvests and green meads;

Streams numberless, that many a fountain feeds;

Shine disembowered, and give to sun and breeze

Their virgin waters; the full region leads

New colonies forth, that toward the western seas

Spread like a rapid flame among the autumnal trees."

Mr. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN:-

We are called by the spoilers, the Aristocracy. It is surely

the weakest trick in their game. What a satire! Look at this

caliography of engraved and colored Aristocrats, bodied forth in

this chair and its supporters? The magic-democracy might well

envy "these lendings" of Shetland hose, and Virginny cloth,

could they endure the sympathy of returning them. Sir, were

our masks and pickers as ragged as those of Jordan Plumb, who

put on his trousers over his head, and our habiliments as coarse

as Cuddenhunk Osambriggs, of three threads to the armful, or

Nantucket chintz of fourteen to the stone-throw, the little ones

of the Regency-school would still gnash teeth and wag head at

us as those to the seer of other times, "Go up, ye bald-head

Aristocrats." But such is their teaching; they have taken the

Hysham for it, and have the oracular sign; it is the last para-

graph of the second oracle of Van Burenism.

But, sir, if to obtain the allodium of the soil as the fair

reward of your industry-to enter the dark recesses of the for-

est, and cause it to bow before the sturdy stroke of the wood-

man-to loose the ox from the stall and "drive the team afield"

-to "shear your own wool and wear it"-to raise your own

bread and eat it-to cling to the constitution as the palladium

of our security-to assume and maintain that self-respect which

is the characteristic effect of free institutions-to assert that

independence of soul and person which disdains to become the

dupes of demagogues-yea, that bends not the supple knee in

Speech of Richard Douglas, Esq., of Chillicothe.  399

any servile office of man-worship-nor to any being, created

or uncreated,

"Save when to heaven you pray,

Nor even then; unless in your own way."

If these things, I say, constitute aristocracy, then verily,

verily, are many of you Aristocrats. Such Aristocrats occur

all along down this fertile vale of Scioto, one of whom this

moment fills my eye by his seat upon the bench which I am

addressing, as one of the honored Vice-Presidents of this meet-

ing. Yesterday we witnessed the moving, and to-day we test-

ify the chewing effects of his aristocracy. That being which

the day before moved about these streets, bearing the name of

his native river and vale upon his frontlet-which were it the

streets of ancient Thebes instead of those of modern Colum-

bus, would have been worship'd by prostrate thousands-who

standing upon the balance kicked the beam at 3,375 pounds,

and upon this morning presents us 2,386 pounds neat, is one

of the samples of such aristocracy. "If I must have conserves,"

says Christopher Sly, "let them be conserves of beef," and if

we must have an aristrocracy, we are content to take it either as

the cause or effect of the same commodity.

But what is the practical commentary for this text of

aristocracy, even upon the silk-stocking theory of the Van-dal.

democrats ?-Let us take it up, and in the order of the old-

school sermonizers divide it into heads as it naturally lies.

before us, and as we may have light and liberty. Well, my

dear friends, although a little dark in the pit, we have light

enough to see two of the heads of our discourse naturally

presented before us, and we have liberty to enforce the great

lesson of practical wisdom which may be drawn from them;

and we beg your most serious attention, for they are illustra-

tions, which according to the climax of Doctor Ochiltree are

(next to the exordium) the most important heads of a dis-

course. Well, say you, what heads are they? Why, my dears,

they are the heads of the Johnsons and the Fosters, from

away-down-Scioto, at the Big-bottom-and what are the items

of soft-clothing which "clepes" them aristocrats, and stamps

400       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

them as the dwellers of King's houses ?-Why, sirs, most com-

fortable clean red baize shirts, with "open collars," friends,

without cravat or stock, save and except a good and fertile

stock of sound principle and love of country.-If Van Buren

should get them into his three thousand dollar English coach,

driving round Saratoga, preceded by his out-rigger, the pre-

monitory symptom, Van might incur some danger of hurting

his "population" with his Regency democracy, for being

caught in company with such sprigs of the aristocracy of Ohio.

These and hundreds more such aristocrats have at this

inclement season, come their three, six, and eight score miles,

up hither, to give their willing aid in the work of this, to

them, important cause. These men are actuated by no mer-

cenary motive. They want no offices except those of freemen,

-no preferment except that which is the natural result of at-

tachment to the constitution, and obedience to the laws,-no

political desire except to see the government administered

in its purity; and their chief dread is to see the New York

system of the spoilers levied upon the country. They do not

believe that the followers of Mr. Van Buren have any sound

reasons of preference for the man, or that he has done any

thing to merit the office of President. For they know that

there is no delicacy pretended in the matter,-for that the

party openly avow that they have associated together, for the

purpose of obtaining the offices and revenue of the country,

as the legitimate "spoils" of political victors.-They know

this to be the practical doctrine of Mr. Van Buren himself, and

that the essential ground of his standing, (not popularity,) is

that he himself has placed it upon that footing; that his

political philosophy is to make it for the interest of men to

support him; his antithestical dilemma is-"vote for me or

lose your bread."-Mr. Van Buren's estimate of the sources of

human motive "hath this extent, no more," that every man has

his price, and that the surest way to win the heart is to untie the

purse strings.  And finally, were there no other moving con-

sideration, the men of this Convention believe that WILLIAM

HENRY HARRISON has done more for his country, and is better

Speech of Richard Douglas, Esq., of Chillicothe.  401

deserving the office of President of the United States, than Mar-

tin Van Buren.

'Tis "forty year ago," since your cabins were built, and you

"Sowed the seed, and trees did plant"

at the places where you are now looking upon the hither gen-

eration. Let the "Vandal Democrats" have it if they will, that

you are really dwelling in Kings' houses, for surely you are the

founders of this new, and great, and noble Dynasty, "The house

of Buckeye". Tell these collarites that until manumitted and

cast loose so that they can enjoy freedom of speech and motion,

they are not the subjects of your house-nay, they do not be-

long to the domain by either of the tenancies in villeinage, ap-

pendant, or in gross, and never can obtain any copy-hold estates

from your stewards. You are now sitting under this old vine

of your own right hand's planting, and its draughts are yet sweet

to your taste. The chalice of the new beverage has not yet been

commended to your lips: for with reverence I hear you speak

forth-not from the oracles of Van Burenism, but from the

oracles of your holy belief, "no man having drank old wine strait-

way desireth new, for he saith, the old is better."

"From the centre all round to the Lake,"

From away beyond Still-water north-about, and the Miamies on

the south-western board-from "Possum-run" to Defiance, clear

across and far over that land where

"The lowing herds wind slowly o'er the lea;"

you, de-fader-land, and its suburbs; the political Israel of the

old covenant, have come up on this pilgrimage to drive out the

money-changers, and rebuild the Temple.

"Through city, town, and village,

And wheresoe'er we rove;"

the sledge is seen lying upon the anvil, the lapstone under the

seat, the plane among the shavings, and he that measured the

tape has "countered" the yard-stick for a season-nay,

Vol. XXII - 26.

402       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

"The special pleas and demurrers too,"

of the poor old "County-Court-izan," are left half written among

the rubbish of his old penknife cutten desk-he by hard salvage

finding enough in from his old third rate fee-notes to render him

"tick-able," and without stopping to shut his office door, (where

there is not much to drink or steal I suppose) is off here in a

tangent-yea, from the rivers down and "then agin" off at right

angles for quantity, the young men who are strong in nerve and

good works, and able to overcome the spoilers, are up hither also

-all, all in aid of this great prospective work.-Such as these are

we-speak of us as we are-all Aristocrats-all Democrats. Of

such an aristocracy all may exclaim with Father Paul, esto-

perpetua.

My good friends, we are now about to separate-you and

your children to your homes; but

"Though lands extend and mountains rise,

and rivers roll between,"

no separation in principle-together they remain bound as in

one common bond, and so let them remain forever.

Mr. President and Gentlemen:

We emulate the social virtues, and feel endeared to him that

loves us; we are taught to respect and admire genius and talent

much for their effects, and some for the sake of the possessor.

The political criterion with Jefferson and Jackson once was, and

was only; "is he honest, is he capable, is he faithful to the con-

stitution?" But of what avail are all these now, under the dis-

cipline of the Regency-school? If the transit of partisanism but

separate, it is as impassable as the gulf of Dives, or the Styx of

Charon. The old time-valued quality of Republican patriotism

seems (in Yankee phrase) to be "warn'd out of town," as of no

avail in carrying on the government; Honesty and Capacity, are

two old toothless hounds that are whipp'd out, while Lady my

Brach, Favoritism, "may stand by the fire and stink." Creatures

that were generated in the last Saturday's rain water, under the

refraction of the golden lens, are up like Pharaoh's frogs, hopping

about the north and east rooms of the gray and white houses,

Speech of Richard Douglas, Esq., of Chillicothe.  403

not only playing "wag-tail" but wag-tongue, like Thersites in

the play, babbling among heroes; the next day they are toasted

as pure patriots, and the third, Van. Buren has them off upon a

greasy mission, or at home upon a fatter contract. Sir, these

things are essentially wrong; they set a most mischievous prec-

edent by holding out inducements for advancement directly op-

posite to that which ought to obtain even in the political world.

Old Reginald Scott complained of just such a state of things

under a weak reign, when times were much out of joint. "Albeit

(says he) the way to Bedlam lyeth on the road to Hogsden, yet

is it there withal in the line of promotion." But Sir, the evil

most to be dreaded from this corrupt system of rewards and

punishments, is its effects upon the moral perception of the coun-

try; it is a vortex that draws not only the old, but the young

and the unwary into it. Already is the calculation being made

by the matured practical dealer in politics, to watch well for the

strong side, and be sure to get upon it; it is the tide in his affairs

which must be taken at the flood: for if

"Omitted, all the voyage of his life,

Is bound in failures and no offices."

It is a voyage in which he must stand by the helm and braces,

ready to tack the political ship as the wind may veer, or haul

off the weather-bow, or under the lee-quarter; for if she "miss-

stays,"

"Hard a-port goes the helm,

The ship's brought by the lea,

And she founders in Botany bay."

Tell the talented young man just emerging from the Aca-

demic grove-let his grand mother tell him in the virtuous vein

of her old Psalter, and John Rogers, that "if he goes on to

serve," &c.-yea, let his mother tell him in the later and smoother

precepts of an Edgworth and a Sherwood, to follow fast in the

path of virtue and innocence and purity, and that his country

will finally crown his successful endeavors. Ah! mother, (re-

plies the youth) were I as fleet in the path of virtue as Diana

herself in the chase, as innocent as the fawn that followed fast

404       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

at her heel, and as pure as the icicle that hung pendant at her

temple, what would it avail me in this country should I hap-

pen to get upon the wrong side in politics? To the American

Youth, where

"The world is all before him, where to choose

His place of rest,"

And in a country where honors are too willingly bestowed upon

political distinction, and no chance except in a majority, this

argument is all controlling, and the transition from principle to

expedience is too short and easy. And further, sir, is its tend-

ency still downward, until the little streamlets become impure;

the poison is commended to the lips of the whip-top at Dow's

school in the shape of the sugar stick, and he becomes as pert

as a cricket with the "Cassian" argument in his teeth, that all

this fuss about politics is only a question between the ins and the

outs; that if they do grow up in the paths of political piety, they

must get it under the preaching of that holy man, the Vicar of

Bray; that principles must accommodate themselves to circum-

stances, according to the 1₃th oracle of Van Burenism-So wink

at the sunbeams, and laugh at old Mosey and the prophets to-day,

and in the language of poor old John S., "lay upon your backs

and eat sugar" to-night, and think about principles to-morrow.

And so you have it boys.

"Handy, spandy,

Jackey Dandy,

Loves treasury pap and sugar-de-candy;

He tastes it at the spoiler's shop,

And away he goes-hop, hop, hop."

Thus the only and indispensable qualification for office, as

held by the old and taught to the young, is to resign principles

and join "the party;" for until this is done all the other qualities

of head and heart might as well be planted in the coral grove of

the deep blue sea, as worn by the honored possessor.

What a different state of things was promised at the coming

in of General Jackson. From his former invocations to Mr.

Monroe to obliterate and blot out forever all party distinctions

Speech of Richard Douglas, Esq., of Chillicothe.  405

and party names; to take to his administration indiscriminately

from both parties, and that by so doing he would gain to him-

self a name as imperishable as "monumental marble"; that the

patronage of the government was never more to be brought into

conflict with the freedom of elections; all pure politicians began

to hope that the auspicious work begun by Mr. Cary in his

Olive Branch was to be consummated in the election of General

Jackson; and that the sun of the political millennium had already

risen upon us, when the same basket should contain in common

the broken fragments of the spears of Federalism and pruning

hooks of Democracy; when

"Federal Bulls should learn to browze

And feed with Democratic cows"

And why have not these things been realized? Sirs, the

original friends of General Jackson have long since seen the

cause-yea, the cause, my soul-and are now seeing it; and my

head for it, that General Jackson will see and proclaim it if his

aged eyes are permitted to look upon this world for four years

to come. Is it to be supposed, that a man of Jackson's feelings

would make the promises he did in the face of the world with-

out any intention at the time of performing them? Why, to

think it, is to think him the veriest hypocrite and deceiver in

the conclusion-any friend of his ought to seize now upon the

true reason for the sake of his reputation. Sir,

"Prone on the flood, the arch-fiend lay,"

And then, squat like a toad, at the ear of our great Federal

mother, he pours in the leprous distilment-

"That swift as quick-silver it courseth through,

The gates and alleys of the hero's body."

Then straight erect like the Nachash of the Phenician poet,

the "seizing is cut," and the wand of the Magician is waving

over the head of the old Roman.

If it be asked if this be consistent to a strong-minded self-

determined and bold man, thus to yield himself away with his

406       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

acute powers, to another-let it be answered that nothing, histor-

ically speaking, is more common or so common-especially tak-

ing the characteristics of the two men,-the one

"A soldier, open, bold and brave,

The next a scrivener, an exceeding knave;"

The one bent on accomplishing an object which the other had

not conceived. It is incident to human nature, and particularly

to that of Jackson, and is done chiefly by the persuasion that all

political opponents are personal enemies-and that he is the first

of warm confiding and enduring friends.

"Thus Nature gives us-let it check our pride."

The rapid advance of Jackson stock in the political market

presented too splendid a speculation to be eluded by such job-

bers as the house of Van Buren & Company-nothing was now

in the way of their entering as the head dealers on 'Change ex-

cept the Crawford stock on hand, which could be easily refunded

or reduced into Consols. Accordingly we find that before the

Arguses could be well suppressed containing the abuse of Jack-

son, Van & Cam. are "off to the south" with their Tender-for

the double purpose of settling with Crawford, and sending in

their adhesion to Jackson; when, like Yankee boys playing mar-

bles, they take the destruction of Calhoun as a "shot in the range"

This distinguished patriot is the only wall lying directly across

Van Buren's path, but like the salient angle of a well found

citadel is impregnable to any metal they can bring to bear upon

it, (indeed, open shots is not their trade), and it can only be

reduced by mining. The distant excavations are commenced,

the trains are in laying, and five years after the mine is sprung.

And what have we gotten in exchange, and who are the

Gauls that have entered the capitol? Nor the Lees and the Law-

sons of Bloomsbury Square, nor yet the Hackets of Burton-heath;

but a set of names as endearing as Byron's Seige of Ismail, or

the Clutterbucks, the Bondelunts, and the Teufelsdrocks of the

new Ditch philosophy of old clothes; led off and on by their

fugileers of the house-the Beards-lies and the Vander-poils or

Van and spoils.-I may be wrong, Gentlemen, in recollecting

Speech of Richard Douglas, Esq., of Chillicothe.  407

names aright-but after all, what is there in a name? the ancient

authors tell us, that

"Skunks by any other names will smell as sweet."

They all come from Regency-square, across Marcy's Island,

baited upon a "Kinder-hook" than Iron, and attracted by a more

heart-soothing "Bell" than the solid and abiding copper and zinc

of the old Tennessee church. They have come harp in hand

to build up "the party," and their sweet music, like a Lincoln-

shire bag pipe, steals upon the ear as they approach-

"We'll build it up with silver and gold,

Dance over my Lady Lee;

We'll build it up with silver and gold,

My gay Layde.

But silver and gold will be stolen away"-

Ah-by whom?-

They approach, none in White garments, but all "party-col-

ored," but chiefly of the purple tinge-some among them,

"That if not dyed clean in the wool,

Old Fed'ral still-but that's no rule."

It needs no stretch of forethought to divine that if the hand

of those seeking the perpetuation of power through the Court

succession, cannot be stayed, that the vital principle of the re-

public-"its virtue,"-must be extinguished, and thereon the

days of its existence fixed and numbered. You cannot now,

gentlemen, be taken down to the sylvan groves of Ashland to

inquire at the doors of its hospitable mansion why the Phocion

of his country cannot lead us forth to the victory. Nor is there

time to pass to the fair "City of the lady Arabella," the Athens

of the West, to make to her and her country's Aristides, the

assurance of our high regards, and speak to him of dry matters

of expedience-Sir, he needs them not-for if the granite of his

native State and head should fail, yet is there a living principle

about him that shall abide forever-

"For on his deeds no shade shall fall."