Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-08-25
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~S% VI IA 3
SATURDAY MORNING. AUGUsT IS, 1877.
Opinions Of ar. yJslferson-The Virginia Advocate
OF the 18th inst contains letter from Col Thomas
IL Randolph, detailing conversation ich the writer
had 10 The summer or winter Of l825 The certain
which, with MIR. Jefferson respecting the merits o
Gen. Jackson as a candidate for the Presidency
The letter appears to have been furnished in conse
quence of written application from the editors OF the
Advocate, so, is no! confined 10 the relation of Mr.
JeHerson's opinion of Gen. Jackson but gra,rous
~ and ndelicateiy, think, Tugs in report of thai
great mans sentiments concerning Mr. CLAW Col
Randolph writes under the conviction that his yolun
tary assault upon Mr.. Clay, would naturally draw
upon him the ind igna,on of that gentleman, and hi
frends-or he concludes his e,er by saving "If what
have sand should excite resentment, shall hold Mr.
Clay and him only responsible me for any improper
expression OF that feeling" We thank COL Randolph
for the privilege he has kindly conceded to U.s. as the
conductors of free press, to comment freely and fully
upon his communication We will answer for Mr. Claw
That tins new and feeble attempt injure him in the
public estimation, will pass by UNDECIDED as the idle
wind" and that he will consider hiuself no more obi
ged to notice this PRONUNCIATION OF MIR. Jeersons OPT
mons, than he would the impotent rawlings of Mr. No
Duihe, or Mr. any body else, either on the floor Of
Congress- through the channels of tie press, or amidst
the fumes of a 4th of July dinner. We are not amo
those who ascribe TO the opinions of any man. however
exalted, and lusrious he may be, an absolute and
binding authority. We think no man nfallibIe-a,d
however much we may venerate MIR. JeGeIson's me-
mory, believe that like the rest of mankind he en-
ertained many erroneous sentiments, both with regard
As we laid ncbo
the opinion imputed TO Mr. Jefferson, ,afavorabc to
Gen. Jackson, (aithoush believed and do still be-
eve atat to have been his real senmentl so we al.
low as little force the test iInony which is now fur
nshed in farpr of the military chienan Mr. JeAer.
sons view of the subject, whatever thnt was could ue
Their make Cen jackson better nor worse He stand,
iuy revealed before this nation in his true colors and
The authority of names neither add TO- nor take
one Jo or title. from his real pretepsons. Now for
the letter.
we IN Virginia know Col Thomas H. Randolph
well. We know him TO be very curious and eccen
trio gentleman possessing many strong and ciyarous
traits OF racter, aud much under The influence of
erfui prejudices and passions. we have no 8oubt
whatever of his iuyDcIbe regard for truth, bnt ,v
have little doubt that like other men, he can be some
times mistaken; and we cannot resist the conviction
that in reference TO ibis subject she labovs under
wonderful de'usIon" not unlike that which has bew IL
dered the mind OF the hero himself, about his eonver
sation with buchanan. How, for example can CoI
Randolph be presumed TO recoIleet will, sccuracv
the very words Of Mr.. Jefferson when he is uncertain
whether the conversation occurred in the summer or
winter, of 1925, and if he does not desirD TO rive tho
words, then we all know how unavoidable is the fen
dency Of the human mind, to receive impressions which
shall harnonze With IFS views ana prejudces We
are satisfied that Col. Randolph must have tnisconceiy
ed and DIsiuterpreted mo doubt unintentionsy) Mr.
Jeeson's expressions, and we proceed TO assign the
reasons which have conducted us TO this conclusion
Let The reader bear iu mind, when This conversation
occurred 81 am very sure" says Col r. 81 did hear
Mr. Jefferson say, and Think ions about ttc last NJ
Ju or TIE LIST .4ugzt, 1885, but il might hare bern
tn Desenber, that il fortunate for the country that
Gen. Jackson was likely TO be ct for public life four
years after; for in him seemed to be the only hone loft
Of avoiding the dangers mauifesily about to arise out If
Inc broad construction no'e again gtue1 to he cops
hdon gf The United States, which eGaced all limit,
tons of powers, and len the general government bv
theory aIogeher uOrestraiDedn Let the reader also
take notice. that Col Randolph says that Gin 1924.
when Mr.. CrawSords personal condition was deemed
TO be very doubtful know certainly that Mr.. JeFer
son did then prefer Mr. Albums after HIM Indeed
never heard Mr.. Jefferson speak Of Mr. Adams from
the year 1892 without acknowledging that he was
an able, learned, and honest man. TO which he orton
added, before the period mentioned that Mr.. Adams
would make safe Chief Magistrate Of the Union and
vas the iDoat fl n al Tie rev England men.n we