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

oil any other American Patriot. hying or
dead, this country is indebted for the
blessing of its present constitution, now
more rian ten years ago, the mission to
Russia, and place in his cabinet, were
successfully offered to ne. A place in
lis Cabinet at that period Of my life,
was more than equivalent to any place,
under any administration, at my present
advanced age.-His immediate success
SCR rendered me the same place in bis
Cabinet, which he anxiously urged me
to accept. and tue mission toEngland.--
Gentlemen, hope you will believe, that
far from being ilnpeIled by any vain or
boastful spirit to mention these things,
do it with humiliation and modification.
1t had refused the Department of
State, the same individuals who now, in
the absence Of all proof, against all
probability, and in utter disregard OF all
truth, proclaim the existence OF cor
rupt, previous arrangement, would have
gated the same charge with the
same affected confidence, they nov I'M
blushing assume, and it would have
been said, with at least as much plaasi-
biRty, that had contributed to the e
lection of Chief Magistrate, OF whom
thought so unfavorable, that | would
not accept that place in bis Cabinet
which is generally regarded as the first
thought it my duty, unawed by their
denunciat;ons, TO proceed IN the office
assigned me by the President and Sem
ate, to render to the country the best
service OF which my poor abilities are
capable. If this Administration should
shew itself unfriendly to American Lib
ert,. and to free and liberal institutions;
If it should be conducted upon a system
adverse to those principles of public po-
hey, which, have ever endeavored to
sustain, and should be found still cling
ing to office, then, nothing which could
be said by those who are inimical to me
would be undeseryed.
But the President ought not to have
appointed one who had voted for him.
MIR. Jefferson did not think so, who cal
led to his Cabinet gentleman who had
voted for him, in the most warmly con-
tested election that has ever occurred IN
the House of Representatives, and who
appointed to other highly important Of
fees other Members of the same House,
who voted for him. MIR. Madison did
not think so, who did not feel himself
restrained from sending me on foreign
service, because had supported his e.
lection. Mr.. Monroe did not think so,
who appointed in bis Cabinet gentle
man now filling the second office in the
Government, who attended the caucus
that nominated him and warmly and ef-
ficiently espoused bis slection.--Bat
suppose the President acted upon the
most disinterested doctrine which is now
contested for, by those who opposed bis
election, and were to appoint to public
office from their ranks only, to tue en-
tire exclusion OF those who voted for
him,would he the escape their censuref
No! We have seen him charged for that
equal distribution of the public service
among every class of citizens, which has
hitherto Characterised bis administration
with the nefarious purpose OF buying up
portions of the community! A spirit of
denunciat:on is abroad. With some
condemnation, right or wrong, is the
order of the day. No matter what pru-
dence and wisdom may stamp the mea-
sures of the A Administration; no matter
how much the prosperity of the coun-
try may be advanced, or what public
evils may be everted. its guidence
there are persons who would make gem
eral, indiscriminate, and interminable
opposition.
This ia not fit occasion, nor per-
haps am a fit person, to enter upon a
yindication of its measures. But hope
shall be excused for asking what mea-
sures of domestic policy has been pro-
posed or recommended by the present
Executive, which has not its prototype
in the previous acts RECOMMENDATIONS
of Administrations, at the head of which
was citizen of Virginia. Can the liberal
and high minded people Of this State con-
denim measures emansting from a citi-
gen of Massachusetts, which when pro-
posed by a yirginian commanded their
express assent or silent acquiescence, or
TO which, if in any instance they made
opposition, it was respectful, limited and
qualifed2 The present Administration
desires only to be Judged by it measures,
and invites the strictest scrutiny and the
most watchful vigilance on the part OF
the public. With respect TO the Panama
Mission, it is true that it was not recon.
mended by any preceding Administra-