Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-09-11

puOltc OPINION, q SuKneient c0rFeCtifcs aU0 Soh-
demned by their own sober reflection, the trea
sonabie purpose viii be seiinquisbed, IT it were
ever seriously contemplated by any.
have no fears OF the permaneney Of our u
nioo, whist our liberties are preserved. It's a
tough and strong cord, as all will bud who shall
presumpteously attemp, 10 break il. II has been
competent to suppress all the domestic insar.
~Fecuons, and 10 carry Us safely through all the
foreign wars with which we have sc, afflicted
since IL was formed, and it has come out OF each
with more strength and greater promise OF du
rabilIty. IL il the choicest political blessing
which, asa people, We enjoy, and | trust and
hope tina, Providence will permit us to transmit
il unImpaired to postcrity, through endless
generstIons.
1 thank you, Mr.. Chairman. for the fs,tering
opinion which you have expressed CT my public
services, snd especially OF those which ! have
eRdeayored to render 20 the West. Whilst ]
am sensible tina, you appreciate them mucli TOO
highly, it is Al the same time true that I have
sought on ali occasions, that appeared 10 me
proper, TO advance the Interests OF that section
Of which : am proud to bs.a citizen. whenever
| lhave thought il could be done without preju
| dice to the predominant interests OF the whole.
! have, nevertheless, in several important in
stances, given my most Jealous support to mea-
| suTes (the navy and The late var tor example) IN
which the Vest could not be regarded having
| any distinct or other interest than that which
beioogs TO the hOnoF, the prosperity, aud the
| character of she whole Contedersey During
the short period Of the present Administration,
l hope | may be Permitted TO say, withou
| meaning TO claim tor II exclusive merif, that
more has been done and recommended for the
West, than ever Was done during the whole
! preceding period OF our Constitution. with The
H
under the adminis,raiio ion Of Mr. Jefferson. l
have not strength or time to enter INTO details
to establish the general proposition; but those
who will take the trouble to examine the appro
o~ristiUps OF land and of money for objects OF
lnternai improvement and education, tie mes.
sures which have been adopted or recommend
ed in respe Il TO the public domain, the judi,
ciar,, &c. will find that proposition fully sus.
tanned.
Tnere are here many who, by a too hat,er.
ing estimate ot my capacity, deem me worthy
IS the office Of Chief Magistrate, and during
| The last Presidential canvass bonored me with
their suppor;. To them | take this occasion TO
say, that il instead OF the present abused thiei
Magistrate, they had obtained Their preference,
the measures OF the Adminis,raicn would not
have been, IN any essential particular. different
from those which have been adopted. All the
1 UrlnCipat ACTS aUu MEASURES VI thS ShiSAiIS ~
ministration had met with ny humble and bear
" concurrence.
Cultlvating a farm in Kentucky. and having
other objects OF private concern, | have found
/, necessary, both on that account and the re
taxation from official business, indispensable 10
| the preservation of health, annually 10 visit this
quarter of the Union, during the period of my
connexion with the Executive OF the u. States.
In those visits, | have frequently me, large
portions Of my feliow- citizens, upon thelr friend
ly and pressing invitations My object has
been cslled N question, aud my motives sssAIl
cd. th4s been sad that my purpose was eiec'
tioneering. If it be Intended 10 charge Ie with
employing improper or dishonosraosa acts 10
secure any election, deny the charge. and dis
claim the purpose. | deiy my mos' %msiignsnt
enemies 10 show, that l ever, during any peri d
of my life, resorted to such acts to promote ny
own election, or that of any other person /
have awaited myself o! these sssembiles, md Of
other opportunities, TO defend myself against
any accusatiot, publicly made, and a thousand
times repeated ihad a night to do th,s by the
immptatle laws OF self defence. My addresses
10 the public heretofore, have beer, generslly,
strictly defensive, IT they have ever gwen pain
TO any Of my aiversaries, they must re proach
themselves with It's infection. There is one
way, ana but one way, IN WHICH, they can silence
me My traducers have attributed TO me great
facility in making 4 bargain. Whether i pos.
sess il or MOI, there is one bargain, which. for
their accommodation, | am Wiling 10 enter inlo
with them. 1t they will prevail upon their
Chief to acknowledge that he mas been iii error
and has done me InjustIct, and II they will
cease TO trsducea and abuse me-, ! viii no longer
present myself before popular assemblies, or
in the public prints, in my own defence. That
is enc bargain which | have no expectation OF
being able 70 conclude. For men who are in a
long established line OF bus,ness, will not volun.
tariiy q1it their accustomed trade, and &C
knowledge then selves bankrupts III honour,
decency and truth.
Some have persuaded themselves that they
saw IN my occasional addresses to the people,
incompatibility with the dignity and reserve
belonging 10 the otfice4 hold. know not, ac
cording 10 what standard ct can hardly be any
deduced from a popular representative govern
mentl these gentlemen have regulated their
opinions. True dignity appears to me, to be in
dependent of office or station. 1t belongs to
every condition; but 1t there be a differences
between private and public lite, the more exalt-
ed the station, the greater is the obligation OF
the pubic funcuonary, in my humble Judgment,
to render himself aun.sble, sffable, and sccessi-
Bile. The public Off cer who displays a natural
solici,ude to defend himself against a charge
deeply affecting his honour and his character,
manIiests at the same time a just respect TOR
the community. Il is, 1 think, ala erroneous
Judgment OF the nature Of office, and its rela.
lions, to suppose that IL imposes the duty on