Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-04-18

Hon. JOHN iIoLmEs OF MAISr-At a
dinner given to the Hon. Mr.. Holmes, by
company of gentleman of Saco, and Bdde-
ford, after number of toasts had been drank,
and the Honorable gentleman compmented,
he mad' speech and TO say the least of it,
it was a very cautious and queer one.
Through the whole of his remarks, the speak,
or seemed TO have himself in view, and spoke
to blow the trumpet Of his own fame In
speaking Of his legislative course of conduct,
he uttered the following remarks.
81 have not enquired so much what was
popular aswhat was right. Had adopteda q
different course, and taken care TO always
sail with tho breeze, l might have better sery-
ed the purposes Of ambition; but surely not the
interests Of my constituent"
Indeed! this is The frs, time We erer
heard that Nr. uomes, sought for the riglt,
rather than the popular side Of the question,
and if such is the fact, we undertake to say,
that before this nobody heard oft. Through
life, he has been seeker after popularity,
and to attain il, has purchased, at the expense
Of his political integrity, golden opinions from
all sorts of men. Proceeding in his speech he
made the annexed observations.
"And although observation has taught me
| that the time-serving politician can beat ac-
conplisi his own immediate purposes, yet am
constrained 10 believe, that, in the long run.
in politicks as in every thing else, honesty is,
by far, the best policy.
III he had said, "practice has taught me.
that the time-serving politician can tes. ac.
complsh his own immediate. purposes &c.
he would have said what we all know 70 be
true, and that which we all know he has fully
attested. more time-scrving politician than
Mr.. Holmes never lived He has been a 10
litical trimmer, political apostate, and now ii
his old age, has discovered that in politics, a.
in every thing else, honesty is the best policy
None but practical man could have mads
such discovery.
In allnding 10 tie approaching presidential
canvass, he remarks
"When tie contest is for meis rather than
principle. the people have very little interes.
in the question:
by this, we suppose he means 10 say that
the people feel but very little interest in the
political campaigns Of ihe day, because the
the contest happens 10 be between Afr. Adamg
and General Jackson! We fancy the people OF
Maine entertain a different opinion. and will,
before the year 1928, teach Mr.. Holmes that
they do feel some interest in tho question.
The remark was offered as syllobub, bu. il
will not be swallowed
Alluding more particularly 10 ,hc subject Of
the presidential campaign, about which il
was supposed he would express his opnic he
thus ingeniously expressed himself
OF the personal preferences Of the day, il
behoves me not here to speak An invited
guest of you all, and not distinctly understand
ing the particular preferences Of all, il would
be rudeness in me to express a sentiment, in
the least degree offensive or dsagrseablc 10
any gentleman present"
or the personal preferences, he thought II
did not behove him to speak! And this is said,
too, AT = time when man is expected TO
state distinctly, and without reserve, his par.
tialities. The fact lie, Mr.. Holmes is in favor
Of Gen. Jackson he supported him through
thick and thin, for many years, and is at
this moment attached most decidedly to his in
terest But as he hopes TO get into Congress
again, as a representative from the District in
which he resides, he deems polite to with
hold his preferences. and to make the people
Of Maine believe that he is friend TO the ad-
ministration.
The speech, taken all and in all. 10 . curl
csi,y Il IS singular rsoduci;on. and it h