under better influences. Certainly Hill would not harm _him_, while, on
the contrary, he (Hill) might be benefited.

Hiram did not tell the truth.

Really, if he had dared to stop and inquire of himself, he would be
forced to acknowledge that he did _not_ want Hill to be different from
what he was. Then he would not serve his purpose. To be sure, sometimes,
when Hill permitted an extra strong oath to escape his lips, Hiram would
fidget and look uneasy, and beg his visitor to break himself of such a
wicked habit. But the secret of Hiram's power did not lie in his _moral_
influence certainly, for Hill's habit of swearing did not improve,
indeed it grew worse.

In this way passed our hero's first year in New York.

NULLIFICATION AND SECESSION.

We publish the principal part of the speech of Hon. R. J. Walker,
against nullification and secession, made at the great Union meeting at
Natchez, Mississippi, on the first Monday of January, 1833. We republish
this speech from the Natchez _Mississippi Journal_ of that date. Upon
that speech, Mr. Walker became the Union candidate for Senator of the
United States from Mississippi against Mr. Poindexter, a Calhoun
nullifier and secessionist. After a three years' contest of unexampled
violence, Mr. Walker was elected on the 8th of January, 1836. So
distinct was the issue, that the Legislature of Mississippi declared
nullification and secession to be treason. The contest was conducted by
Mr. Walker by speeches in every county, with the banner of the Union
waving over him, and to the music of our national airs.

We republish this speech now because it preceded Mr. Webster's great
reply to Calhoun, and because its arguments are applicable to the
present contest. This speech drew out Gen. Jackson's celebrated letter,
heretofore published, in favor of Mr. Walker; and the speech received
the cordial approval of ex-President Madison. By reference to the
Washington city _Globe_ of the 12th August, 1836, it will be found that,
in conversation with Mr. Ingersoll, 'Mr. Madison spoke very freely of
nullification, which he altogether condemned, remarking that Mr. Walker,
of the Senate, in a speech he had made on some occasion, was the _first
person_ who had given to the public what he (Mr. Madison) considers the
true view of Mr. Jefferson's language on that subject.' Mr. Webster gave
the Whig arguments against nullification and secession, Mr. Walker the
democratic; but they both arri