Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1827-02-03
PORTRAITS OF THE OPPOSITION.
no. ~
HON. SAMUEL u. INGHAM.


American people and bot for his votes, and the re
marks he occasionally offered when IN the Hall Of
the National Legislature, lie probably would have
| lived 10 descend to the grave without gaining any
other notorlcty, than what his youthful ALTERATIONS
aud departures from rectuie had gained Tor him
in the district of country, which he has for a
series of years most shamelully misreprcsented IN
the councils Of the nation.
1t is in vain that the impartial mind seeks Tor
some redecmins virtue IN this mans history, and
the calm observer, willingly rctires from the con
.deraton olhls hiosraI ny, and lamcnts, that the
honors aud iayors Of the public, are not always be-
slowed upon the mertorlous.
AMuEL d. IHGHAm is a native of Bucks
County, Pennsy sylvuLia, and at early period in
N.e--while quite lad, discovered some OF those
trait. ofcharaCter which have more cons picuousiy
marked hs later Gays aud held him up to the world
as one. whose whole soul, every thought aud action
put in motion to secure his personal beneft,no mat
ter what It's attainment mi.ht cost others, or ho,
deeply and painfully it might affect those who
attached 10 him by the ties Of consangumity, and
who are entitled 10 his friendship and his love-
The first political or legislative act, that call
ei Mr. INGHAM into notice was, the part ussu-
med by him relative to the law providing for the
disposition Of the property Of intestatcs by for
mer statute of the Slate, which originated in the
absurd doctrines adhered to by our lofeathers, AMI
which was a remnant OF tho Feudal system, the old
est son, had two shares of the whole property.
A law su unjust and ungenerous III its opera.
tons and so destitute OF reason, excited the disgust
aud contempt Of the Pennsylvanians, and an effort
was made 10 abrogae it, and to make an equal di,'
tribution OF the available effects Of the ntesate'
among the heirs and legal representatives. Mr..
IaGhAM had at this period just innh his minority,
and about the same time his father, OF CON
siderable wealth, died int estate, and conseq qaenty,
the Oldest son. Samuel, found 1t exceedingly conve-
nient for him to oppose contempt alteration III
the statutes of the State which If carried III TO effect
would materially detract from the sum he inherit
cd from his father.
Unfortunately he became possessed Of the inheri-
| tance, before the law regulating primos
had gone into operation, and in is possession
| he refused to relnqush iarthinS which n. had
obtained by statute which was equaly unjust, un-
| generous and absurd.
II was in vain, that the other members Of the ia
mily particularly his almost destitute sisters, beg
ged and impored him TO rcIinqush to them what in
| justice was the.r right but with a heart dead
aud closed against every ennoblins principle, and
unacquainted with the sympathies of our natures
he turned 10 them, and in the language Of cold and
and soldid Indifference, told them. that what the
law had given him he should take, reckless of thei
supplicatons AMI in contempt of their tears. Nh
merous other individuals Of the neighbotl o.,
were similarly situated, but with a nobleness o
mind, purity of intention, and an expression D
their sense justice, they came forward, and glad
ly and cheerfully mate equal division with thos
who were born to equal inheritance-wh
were Of the same flesh and blood, possessing kin
dred feelings, and circulating through their vein:
the same blood that flowed in the arteries of thei
! more fortunate kinsman. Such acts of noblene:
and of generosity could not, however, move tn
bloodl ess heart of such man as Mr. INGnAM, an
like the unieeling Je,o he contended for the la
farthipg.
As might have been expected, this shameful an
unnatural transact oa called forth the execration
all who were not possessed OF kindred spirit, b,
unfortunately it was too soon forgotten, and Il
nan who had been guilty of an act of such ba
lngrati,ude, vas left to enjoy many of the Offices
e lathe GIFT ofa free and independent people.
t. Mr.. lNGHAM, had not long passed the year
III homage, when he offered Nimsef a candidate
Is public office, and by taking advantage ofthe po'
" er for intrigue and cunning, which have ever be
e' distinguished traits IN his character he succeeded
h' copsuma,ng the designs he aimed at.
~ Coming into active life at a time, when those t.
great parties the Democrats and Federalist., aim
shook the nation to its foundation, and by tn
= heated mad acts, phrenzied the political relate
=" of Inc Republic. Mr.. INGHAM. took advantage
w the weakness and vulnerable points of both, a
riding upon the whirlwind Of passion found il
difficult task, to gain the support of either, as
Wv was all things 80 all men, and whilst he bowed
,,. Caesar pressed to his bosom the hand of Bruus
CT. At frs, he received the support Of the Democ
tic party, and adhered to their doctrpes and d
US mas till suspected for his ndelity AMI time serv
80 poicy,they cast him of as an imcumbrcnae, when
me went over, "hose, artillery and foot ? to the fe
a