Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-04-27
THE RESIGN ATIONS.
WAslIyGTov, April 18th, IS;

dellcacv OF this step, under the clrcuih-
stances in winch it Is taken, will, trust,
be deemed an ample apology for stating
more at large, than might otherwise have
been necessary, the reasons by which
am influenced.
/ From the moment of taking my seat IN
your Cabinet, it has been my anxious
wish and nc alous cndcavor to prevent
premature agitation OF the question oi
your successor; and, at all events, to dis
countenance, and if possible reprcsS the
disposition, at an early day manifested,
to connect my name with that disturbing
topic. OF the sincerity and the constan-
cy of this disposition, no one has had a
better opportunity to Judge than your
selves. II has, however been unaval-
ING ng.-Circumstanccs not oimy creation,
and altogether beyond my control, have
given To this subject IA turn which cannot
now be reminded, except by a self dis
franchisement, which, event # dictated
by my individual wishes, could hardly be
reconcilablc with proprlety or sell re-
spcct.
Concerning the injurious efforts which
the circumstance of member OF the
Cabinets occupying the relations towards
the country to which have advcrcd, is
calculated to have upon the conduct of
public affairs, there cannot, ! think, at
tins tune, be room for two opinions Dl-
verslles of ulterior preference among the
friends of an \ Administration are unayold-
able; and even If the respective advo-
Gates Of those thus placed IN the rivalship
be patriotic enough to resist the tcmpta
ton of creating obstacles to the advance
ment of him to whose elevation they are
opposed, by embarrassing the branch oi
public service committed to his charge,
they are, nevertheless, by their position,
exposed to the suspicion of entertaining
and encouraging such views: a suspicion
which can seldom fail in the end, to ag-
rravate into present alienation and hos
tility the prospective differences which
first gave rise to it.-1hus, under the
least unavorablc consequences, individ-
ual Injustice il suffered, and the admin
istration embarrassed and weakened.
Whatever may have been the course Of
things under the peculiar circumstances
of the earliest stage Of the Republic, my
experience has fully satisfied me, that,
at this day, when the field of selection
has become so extended the circumstance
referred to, by augmentlng the motives
and sources OF opposition to the measures
/ of the Executive, must unavoidably prove
. the cause of injury to the public service,
| for countcrpoiso to which we may IN
| vain look to the peculiar qualifications OF
any individual: and even if | should in
this be mistaken, still cannot SO far de-
ceive myself as to believe for moment
that am included in the exceptions.
These oDstructions to the successful
prosecution of public affairs, when su-
peraddcd to that opposition which is IN
separablc from our free institutions, and
which every administration must expect,
present n mass to which the operations
of the government should at no time be
voluntarily exposed'-thc more cspc clal-
lv should this be avoided at so evcntlul a
period in the affairs of the world, when
our country may particularly need the ut
most harmony in her councils.
\ Such being my impression, the path Of
duty is plain; and not only submit with
chcerluIncss to whatever personal sacri-
!, fees may be involved in the surrender
r of the station | occupy; but ! make it my
ambition to set an example which, should
in the progress of the Government be
deemed, notwithstanding the humility o.
, its origin, worthy of respect and obscrv-
, ancc, cannot, think, fail TO prove essen
: italy and per mancntly beneficial.
n Allow me, Sir, to present one more
view of the subject; You have consentct
n to stand before your constituents for re
election OF their decision, resting a
: it does upon the unbought sutlrages of
: free, numerous, and widely cxtcnde,
t people, II becomes no man to speak will
certainty. Judging, however, from tn
- past, and making a reasonable allowanc
for the fair exercises OF the intelligence
Il and public spirit of your icllow-citizcns
i cannot hesitate in adopting the belle
g that the confidence, rs well in your ca
h paclty for civil duties as in your clvi
g, virtues, already so spontaneously an
striklngly displayed, will be manifesto
, with increased energy, now, that all car
IN did observers must admit their utmo
III expectations TO have been more than re
~ allied.
! lithIs promise, so auspIcIous TO the be
" interests Of our common country, be iu
:, filled the concluding term ofyour admir-
- istration will in the absence of any prom
+, incnt cause of dlscord among lis suppo
tcrs, afford a most favorable opportunit
% for the full Accomplishment of those III
l. por,ant public objects, in the prosecute
2. of which have witnessed on your pa