American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-09-22

truth and tile deficiency oil epiuebce, uDtii we nave
seen the spectacle exhibited Of converting the hall o
he first Legislative assembly upon earth, on the oc,
casion OF discussions which above all others should
have been characterized by dignity, camness ant
tempe rance into theatre for spreading suspicious
and groundless mpualions against an absent ane
innocent individual.
Driven from every other hold. they have seizet
on the only plank left within their grasp, that OF m,
acc eptance Of the Office OF Secretary OF State, which
has been asserted to be the consummation OF pre-
vious corrupt arrangement. What can oppose Z
such an assertion, but positive, perem2tory, ant
UNQUALIFIED denial ard the repetition Of the demant
tor pr oof and trial? The Office to which hav'
been appointed is that of the Country, created b!
| il. and administered for its benefit In deciding
whether should accept it or not, did not TAXI
counsel from those who, foreseeing the probabilit!
of my de signation for it, sought TO deter me frcn
its acceptance by fabricaling anticipated charges
which would have been preferred with the same yea
and alacrity however nigh, have decided. tool
counsel from my friends, from my duty, from m.
conscious innocence of unworthy and false imputa
tions. was not lett at liberty by either my enemIe
or my friends to decline the Office. would willing
ly have declined it from an unaffected dstrust OF m,
ability to perform its high duties, if l could have
honourably declined it. hope the unilol m teno
of nv whole public lite will protect me against ih
suppositon OF any unreasonable avidlty for pubi
employment. During the administration oi lha
illustrlous man whose civil services, more than
those of any other American patriot, living or dead
this country indebted for the blessing oil It's presen
Constitution, now more than ten years ago, thu
mission TO Russia, and place IN his Cabinet, wer
successfully offered me. A place in his Cabinet, a
that period OF my life, was more than equivalent Il
any place under any Administration, at my presen
more advanced age. His immediate successo: ten
dered me the same place in his Cabinet, which h
anxiously urged me 10 accept, and the mission II
England. Gentlemen, hope you will believe that
far from being impelled BY any vain or boasfu spiri
to mention these things, do 1t with humiliation ant
modification.
If had refused the Department Of State. TIL
same individuals who now, in the absence oil all proof
against all probability, and in utter disregard OF al
truth, proclaim The existence of corrupt previou
arrangement, would have propagated the SAM
charge with the same affected confidence which The!
now unblushingly assume. And ii would have beef
said, with al least much plausibility, that had con
trbued to the election of Chief Magistrate, o
whom thought SO uniavorably, that | would no
accept that place in his cabinet which is generally
regarded as the first. thought il my duty, unawet
by their denunciaons, TO proceed in the office as
signed me by the President and the Senate, to ren
| der to the Country the best service OF which ny
poor abilities are capable II this Administration
ard to free and liberal institutions if it should be
conducted upon system adverse to those princi
pies Of public policy which have ever endeavoree
to sustain, and should be found still clinging tC
Office, then nothing which could be said by those
who nimica 10 me would be undeseryed.
But the President ought no, to have appointed one
who had voted for him. MIR Jefferson did not thinl
so. who called TO his cabinet q gentleman who hat
voted for him. in the most warmly contested election
tives, and who appointed to 0 her highly importan
Offices other members of the same House, wht
voted for him. Mr.. Madison did not think SO, whit
did not feel himself restrained from sending me oil
a foreign service because had supported his eec
tion. MIR. Monroe did not think so. who appointed
in his cabinet gentleman now filling the secont
Office in The Government who attended the Caucu
that nominated him, and warmly and efficiently es
poused his election. But suppo e the Preslden
acted upon the most disnterested doctrine which i
now contended for, by those who opposed his elec
ton, and were 10 appoint to public office from thel
ranks only 10 the entire exclusion oil those who vote
lor him, would he then escape their censure? No
we have seen him charged, for that equal Gistrbu
ion OF the public service among every class Of citi
Zens, Which has hitherto characterized his Admin
istratlon, with The neiarous purpose OF buying u
portions OF the community. spirit Of denunca
on Is abroad. With some, condemnation, right o
wrongSis the order Of the day. No matter Wha
prudence and wisdom may stamp the measures
the Administration no matter how much the pros
pery of the country may be advanced, or whs
public evils may be averted, under its guidance
there arc persons who would make general, indis
crimina'e, and intermnable opposition This is no
6t occasion, nor perhaps am hl person, TO enle
upon vndicaon oil lis measures. But hope
shall be excused for asking what measure OF domes
tic policy has been proposed or recommended b,
the present Executive. which has not its prototyp
in previous acts or recommendations of Admins
trations at the head OF which was citizen Of Vii
ginia Can the liberal and high minded people c
this state condemn measures emanatng from cit
zen Of Massachusetts which, when PROPOSED by