Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-11-25
FOR TIE ENQUIRER.
TO THE PUBLIC.

vindication OF character.
Ncone can regret more than do, the necessity
which conpels me TO make this appeal to the Pub
lie. There are situations, however, in which feel
ings OF regret and delicacy, must yield to higher
considerations. Such is my case. The duty which
Lowe my friends and my country, and the late
continued attempts to pull down my character aud
reputation, make it proper that should give to the
Public the explanation and evidence which will be
found in this Address. shall do this in ms few
words possible, and endeayour TO place the sub.
jectin the light think ii ought to stand
have been charged by Mr.. j. Sloane, MEM
bcr OF Congress from Ohio, with having promise,
him, in Dec. 1925, TO sustain" the ALm;n;s;ra-
tlon of Mr.. Adams, provided he would eject Inc
Speaker OF the House of Representatives II will
he borne in mind, thai this was, las he asscrts) in
the Hall Of the House, on the morning of the first
meeting Of the 18th Congress, and in the nloapcnt
IF baiiotting Jor Speaker.
Before submit the evidence which will accom-
pany this Address, will offer very briefly, some
general remarks, upon the extreme improbabili,y
and folly Of the charge, taken in connection with
the time and circumstances under which il is pre-
tended the declaration was made
II must occur to every intelligent mind, as mo-
rally impossible, that couId be either so foolish
depraved, as to act in the manner charged, with
out some adequate object or motive. My enemies
have said, that il was to crafty my ambition, in
reaching the Chair OF the House Of Representa-
tivcs Let us pause for moment, and see whether
This could have been Its important in the FIRST
place to ascertain, what was the situation then
occupied in relation TO Mr. Adams and the
Administration.
In the Presidential contes. of '2l-5, had been
the jealous and devoted friend oil MIR. Crawford.
had taken no part at that time be ween Dir. Ad-
ans and General Jackson. The friends of Mr..
Crawford Iiending the election In the House of
Representatives. had determined to adhere to him
TO the last moment, & not TO vote between the other
candidates. In this, mo one more decided than
myself For proof OF this, refer 10 the following
extract from an article published in the Enquirer
in January 1925; and based upon letter of mine
10 the Editors - The friends Of .lI. Cra,c-
FORD haze held but one tone. Nc nail our flag
to The mast, and sink scith the ship! Mr. Cra,o-
ford is quite aceH, and his trends are in good
spirits. .Necer scas surrounded and up
held ty more ,cdrm, or disiiteresfed friends
God grant that ne may get triumph. ask it for
the peace and prosperity Of mn Coti,,frg'-lt is
due candor, however 10 say that If we had been
forced in the discharge of high duty, to sur
render Mr.. Crawford, and vote between the other
candidates, should have then been in favor Of
Mr Adams. declared it at the time and since
as believe did many of my colleagues who now
act with me. The strong reason Tor this prefer
ence was a belief that MIR. Adsmss principles came
nearer 10 those oil Virginia than General Jacksons.
iha next To Mr.. Crawford, he was the most favor
able to limited construction OF the Constitution,
and against enarging the powers of the General
government, by Characterization deeply we
should have then erred, If we had in the last ex-
Temity. voted for Mr.. Adams In preference 10
General Jackson, time has fully developed, and it
IS unnecessary now to discuss Virginia herself,
Whatever her preference may have been, has re-
centiy given the strongest and best evidence OF her
opinion, as TO the merits and character of these
two distinguished Individuals On the 9th OF
February, 1925; Mr. Adams was elected by the
House of Representatives and on the 4h of March
following, (the day after the adjournment of The
1Sth Congress) delivered his Inaugural speech.
With the general character Of that Speech,
was greatly dissatisfied considered the theory
laid down by II, tor constituting the constitutions
loose, equivocai and dangerous. These opinions
expressed on my return home in the Spring and
Ian oil that year, as my personal and political
friends wen knew some OF whom could and am
authorised TO name. did not hesitate to declare,
that II these doctrines were to be followed up in
lis first Message to Congress and made the basis OF
the administration, should be compelled not on
~ TO oppose them, but that well satisfied
Virginia, would herself be found, most strongly in
the opposition. i went to Washington in Decem
Der, 1925, with these opinions and entertaining
Gas Mr. Brent states in his letter. fears that should
be compelled, in vindicaon OF my own prime iples
and those OF the State, to be in the opposition.
Standing then, in this relation to the Admins.
sration, and chershing principles dear TO myself and
to Virginia; principles upon which / had for Is
years acted, and which were in truth the nurse oil
any political standing which might have acguir-
ed; what would have been the condition, in which
might have been placed, i'll could have succeed
ed III reaching the Speakers chair, under formal
piege to support the measures OF the Administra
ton, right or wrong?
Who is there, that does not see that inevitable
exposure 81 ruin,must have been the consequence,
whether the pledge was redeemed or not alter my
Election?
The baseness o: such attempt (boih in
the motives and the manner OF going about il,
could only be equacd by its folly.
But is there any man, blind, or so deeply stain
ed with Party, as not TO see, that situated as
then was Gf ambition was my objecD there were
far nober objects within my reach, and So
lid reputation 10 be gained, by following the patti
oil duty aud honor, than could be obtained by such
weak and wretched contriyance, and one too in
(which must not only have been detected and ex-
posed, but i'll which nothing TO be gained?
Let II be supposed, however, that was prepar-
cd 10 bargain and pledge myself for Office, aud
willing to reach the chair of the House OF Repre-
knows me can believe, that would have been
SO stupid as TO have acted in the manner pretended
al moment when only one solitary vote could
have been obtained and even that vote doubtful?
II had been prepared to barter myself and my
principles Tor this high Office, Zone of the last in
the world which should be reached by any trick
or contrivance either in relation to the individual or
the ofice;) ii prepared and willing TO sell
myself for Ambitions sake, what would !, wba,
ought ], TO have done?
To whom should have lookcd?--where should
have gone?-Whose aid, should ] have nvoked'
Would have gone TO those IN power, who could
have served me, or to those who could not? Would
] have gone to men of influence and character,
vho were popular with their Party, or TO obscure
Individuals, who could not influence single vote?
III disposed, however, to act fairly and support
fie Administration, Lif believed them entitled TO
my support would not have gone TO that class OF
Administration men, with whom was intimate,
and who had the kndest personal feeling towards
Inc, rather than to man with whom was never
ultimate and whose feelings towards Southern men
and Southern doctrines, had long known TO have
been most bitter and uureIeuGng?--
Would have waited 10 make suclI declaration