Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-09-03

health, annually to visit this quarter Ofthe
Union, during the period Of my connexlon
with the executive of the United States.
In these visits have frequently met large
portions of my fellow citizens, upon their
friendly and pressing invitations. My OBJ
iect has been called in question and my
motives assailed. 1t has been said that
my purpose was electioneerlng. II 1t be
intended to charge me with employing I'M
proper or dishonorable acts to secure any
election, | DENY the charge & disclaim the
( purpose. defy my most malignant enc
mics to shew that ever, during any perl
/ cd of my life, resorted TO such acts to pro-
mote my own election or that of any other
person. | have awaited myself Of these
assemblies, and of other opportunities, to
defend myself against an accusation, pub
Iiclv made, and a thousand times repeated.
had a right to do this by the immutable
laws of selfdefence. My addresses to the
public heretofore have been generally strict
" defensive. If they have ever given pain
to any of my adversaries, they must re-
proach themselves with its infiction.-
There is Que way. and but one way, in
which they can silence me. My tradu-
GERS have attributed to me great facility IN
making a bargain. Whether | possess it
or not, there is one bargain, which, for
their accommodation, | am willing to en-
ter INTO with them. lfthey will prevail up
ON their Chief to acknowledge that he has
been in error, and done me injustice, and
jftbev will cease to traduce and abuse me,
Twill no longer present myself before pop
ular assemblies orIn the public prints IN my
own defence. That Is one bargain which
Ihave no expectation of being able to con-
cmde. For men who are in a long estab-
lished line ofbusiness, will not voluntarily
quit their accustomed trade, and ackOwl-
edge themselves banllrupts to honor, decen-
Cy aud truth.
Some have pursuadcd themselves that
they saw IN my occasional addresses to
the people, incompatibility with the dignity
and reserve belonging to the Office | hold.
I know not according to what standard ut
can hardly be any deduced from popular
representative government these gentle
men have regulated theiropinlous. True
dignity appears tome, to be Independent Of
Office ofstation. ltbelongs to every con-
dition; but, il there be a difference between
private and public life, the more exalted the
station. the greater is the obligation, ofthe
public lWctlonary, inmy humbleludgment
to render himself amiabc, afabIe, and ac-
cessible The public officer who displays
a natural solicitude TO defend himself a.
gainst a charge deeply affecting his honor
and his character, mantests at the same
time, a Just respect for the community
ItIs, / thlnk, an erroneous Judgment Of the
nature ofoiice, and its relations, to suppose
that imposes the duty on the officer, of
a5atacting himselfirom society, and a stiff
and stately port. Without, hope, forget
ting what was due to myself my habit
throughout life, has been that of friendly,
free, and frank intercourse with my fellow
citizens. ] have not thought it necessary
TO change my personal indemnity in any OF
the various offices through which have
passed, or to assume a new character. II
may not he easy to draw the line, as to the
occasion in which a man should remain 81
lent or defend himself. In the general, it
is better perhaps that he should leave his
public acts, and the measures which he es-
pouses or carries, to their own yindication;
but if his integrity be questioned, aud dis
honorable charges, under high and lmpos
ing names, be preferred against him, he
cannot remain silent without a culpable
insenslbiIity to all that is valuable in human
life
Sir, | feel that ] have trespassed too
much, both upon you, and myself ltpru-
dence were a virtue ofwhich could boast,
! should have spared both you and me.
But ! could not deny myself the gratGca-
ton ofeSpressing my thanks TO my Cincin-
natl friends for the numerous instances
which ! have experienced of their kind and
respectable consideration. beg you Sir,
and every gentleman here attending, to ac-
ceptmy Acknowledgements; and especially
owe them TO the gentlemen Of the Commit
tee. who did me the honor 10 meet me at
Louisville, and accompany me to this city.
Whatever may be my future destiny, whilst
my faculties are preserved, | shall cherish
a proud and grateful recollection of these
testimonies prospect and attachment
..-s9s...
From the Democratic Press.
nnrTI, KEnNrhunrTrr 49,