Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-03-25
w.suxcros CRY. March 9Th, 1880.

| There are dutles which men owe 10 oth
ers-butit may justly be said that para
mount duties are such as they owe to them
selves. There are times and circumstances
umdsr which forbearmce may be virtue
but, in the course Of human events, IS some
fines happens tina: Individuals have no alter
native left but 10 yindicate both their as0ttres
and their actions
Ia this unpleasant condition | am placed at
4 present An hsnorzbIe man feels no change
more seRsibly than that Of Inconsistency"
and an unprovokea abandonment OF those
! with whom he has acted ia great struggle,
| whether eiviI pOt,.icol, or ,cGriike. lie should
always be able TO assign at least ptouslbA, u
not substantial reason for his course
As a member Of the dominant party in this
nation, [ mnst solemnly protest and declare
that, TO the utmost extent OF my power, both
| publicly and privately, have defended the
| doctrines upon which that party came into
power now neither arraiSn nor challenge
| the purity oftheir motives. But, while the
| warning voice Of charity demands that
| should suppose others as sincere as myself, 1t
does not impose Oh nae the hufnhatlns neces-
| sity effollowins in the ''wakG'' ofany man or
set ofmea, nor OF jsinns the busy throns of
| ''ollice seekers," as 20 violate either the
| dictates ofmy conscience or nay reason.
| am charged with Inconsistency, and
| derehction OF duty-ior the purpose of pros
| tratng me, aud les.oning the influence OF a
candid declaration which, In the sequel of
| this letter. l shall fearlessy and conscientious
y make
Ii the charge Inconsistency means that
have abandoned any of the essential inter
ests of my country, only AK that the speci
icattoaS and evidences calculated 10 support
it, may be afforded. fit be that have wa-
successfully attempted TO retrench the expen
ditures of the Gorernment-then, require
no prot. II 1t mean that have been jealous
10 allay the fermeat, and qae the rising dis
trust IN the South; and to do justice to sn OPP
pressed and patriotic Populatlon-te prevent
disunon and perhaps ultimate bloodshed-
then admit it If these be the grounds,
hope In God may continue obnoxious to the
charge Of Inconsistency" and that, with
untiring zeal, may pcrsevere in un attempt
to merit its application to myself / should
rejoice to have them ayowed from North to
South
No TIE secret of the whole matter consists
in this. We are to be annoyed with another
desperate struggle for power. And the ques-
ton is--Dho shall rice, and who shaH fail.
The reasons why i ana not satisfied with
the present state of things are manifold; tho
to record few of them must suffice, Tor the
present, reasons for my course.
During thelast contest for the Chief Ma
gistracy of this nation, hesitate not 10 say,
that more harmony and good feeling were
sacrificed shan twenty wears to come can a.
tone Tor er restore. Society cohvUlsed, and
expec tation lifted as high asthe clouds, that,
upon u change OF men, peaee, happiness, pros
pe,ny, economy, and indeed ecety other blessing,
would he restored to people, who were sad
Ia have hepn 5ns1iitPd and SnIxtrpdifF ! call
tor view of the great and to,,dty anticipated
correctness. Where car THEY be found and
in WHAT DO they consist Let those whe cry
| out Inconsistency produce them, and exhibit
them to the view of an ttnSuSpectng, and yet,
| when disappointed, an indignant People
fpcesume that many with whom have
acted, like myself, supposed, that, by chang
ing the face Of things, a Simultaneous change
would take place in all the Departments OF
| the Government, and in their respective
| claims on the Treasury / had said among
| my constituents, that believe the number Of
! officers employed under the recent Admins
traton, and the salaries of others retained,
wou}I be diminished. No enc can doubt THAI
dissaf ,facton upon each Of these subjects
was aroused But in what does it end? Mere
ly in ascertaining, by call upon the Heads
of Departments during this session, that none
have too many, while some desire more.
It'll also true, that some defaiea atoms have
been discovered, by two-years scrutiny; and
such scrutiny Us has never before been wit
messed since the foundation of the Govern
ment / sincerely hope that no succeeding
Administration may be held responsible for
greater number.
am informed that it as also suspected and
charged as an ''inconSistency" that [ am
, friendly to HENRY CLAY" You are
authorized to confirm this suspicion, by say
ing that, after due consideration, my indyid-
sai opinion is, that though charged with ''bar-
gaming" such man can never be a very
bod bargain, and that am not only his friend,
but will support him for the nert Presidency
as should presume from the message of the
present Exec utire, that he viii retire at the
close Of his present term; and rs conceive
Mir. Clay pfe-emine'ltty talented and qualified.
Il may. gentlemen, become necessary for
me to address You again, as | anticipate a
storm of censure, and contumey, | care
motor though wish always to actprudent-
ly, win always act independently and hon
estiy as am a free man. Should | fail to
satisfy nay constituents, upon this subject,
am thankful that the misfortune viii operate
on me alone-and not on others, who seem
so careful Of my reputation. shah sustain
the present administration while | remain in
Congress, in all proper Observation-Disclosures
than this, cannot-wli not go. | seek ne
political power.