Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-09-28

i've leftto our honor Dy the persever'ng
injustice of foreign nation. These
contradictory charges and perverted
views, gave me no concern, because |
was confident that time and truth would
prevail over all misconceptions, and be-
cause they did otimpeach my public
integrity. But | confess was not pre-
pared to expect the aspersions which l
have experienced on account of more
recent discharge of public duty. My
situation on the occasion to which re-
fer, was most peculiar and extraorcl-
nary; unlike that Of any other Amerl-
can citizen. One of the three candi-
dates for the Presidency, presented to
the choice of the House of Representa-
tives, was out Of the question, for noto-
rious reasons, now admitted by all. Lin
| tied as the competition was to the 9TH
err two, I had to choose between a
Statesman long experienced at home
and abroad in numerous civil situations,
and Soldier-braye gallant and sue
cessful- but mere soldier--who, al
though he also had filled several civil
offices, had quickly resigned them all,
| frankly acknowledging, in some iDstan-
ces, his incompetency TO discharge their
duties. II has been said that had some
differences with the present Chief Ma
gistrate at Client. 1t is true that we did
not agree on one of the many important
Questions which arose during the. nego-
Citations at that city; but the difference
equally applied to our present hiinister
at London, and to the lamented Bayard,
between whom and myself, although
we belonged to opposite political par
tiles. there existed warm friendship to
the hour of his death. 1t was not OF
nature TO prevent our cooperation in the
public service, as is demonstrated by
the Convention at London, subsequent
/ ly negotiated by Messrs. a dams, Gal
latin. and myself. TWAS difference OF
opinion on a point of expediency, s. did
not relate to any constitutional or funda-
mental principle. But with respect to
the conduct OF the distinguished citizen
of Tennessee, had solemnly expressed,
under the highest obligations, opinions,
which, whether right or wrong, were
sincerely and honestly entertained, and
are still held These opinions related to
military exercise of power believed to
be arbitrary and unconstitutional. |
should have Justly subjected faYself TO
the grossest Inconsistency, if had CIV
en- BIN my suffrage. thought, if he
were elected, the Sword and the Con-
sttution, bad companions, would be
bro't too near together ! could not have
foreseen, that, fully justified as ! have
been. by those very constituents, in vir-
tue of whose authority | exerted the
right of free suffrage, should neverthe-
! less be charged with breach of duty
and corruption, by strangers to them,
standing in no other relation to them but
that OF being citizens of other States,
members Of the confederacy. 1t is in
vain. that these reyileIs have been cal
led upon for their proofs; have been
de6ed, and are again invited, to enter
upon any mode of fair investigation and
trial Shrinking from every impartial
examination, they persevere with in
creased zeal in the propagation of cal
jimmy, under the hope of supplying By
the frequency and boIdness of asserva-
ton, the want of truth and the deficien-
cy of evidence-until we have seen the
spectacle exhibited, of converting the
Hall of the first Legislative Assembly
upon earth, on the occasion of discus
sions which above all others, should
have been characterized by dignity,
calmness and temperance, into a thea
tire for spreading suspicious and ground
less imputatons, against an absent and
innocent individual. Driven from eve-
ry other hold, they have seized on the
only plank left within their grasp, that
of my acceptance of the Office of Sec
rotary of State, which has been assert
ed to be the consummation of previous
corrupt arrangement. What can op.
pose to such an assertion, but positive,
peremptory, and unqualified denial, and
repetition of the demand for proof and
trials The office TO which have been
appointed, is that of the country; crea-
ted by it, and administered for its bene-
fit. In deciding whether | should ac-
cept itor not, did not take counsel
from those, who foreseeing the proba-
bility of my designation for it, sought to
deter nae from its acceptance by fabri.
eating anticipated charges, which would
have been preferred with the same zeal
and alicrity, however might have deci-
ded. took counsel from my friends,
| from my duty. from my conscious In