Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-08-04
TIE GAZETTE.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4. 1881.
From the National IntelIigener Of July %.
TO THE PUBLIC.


myself to your nstce | assert no claim TO
your attention, which does not belong equally
to every free citizen Of the Republic. But l
ask, and feel that have right TO expect
your candid consider ati0n Of this address
Its subject is one of awakening interest to
US all. The position in which find myself
has nothing inviting in it. II is one which |
have not sought, but which has been forced
upon me, aud one in which | am called upon
10 vindcate not myself merely, but the casse
Of truth, and the best and dearest interests
i Of the community, at a hazard TO which ia
4 fully alone could be insensble.
The misrepresentation of public jour
nal, protesting to speak the language OF the
President Of the United States, and publish
z ed under bis eye, have presented to me the
B alternative, Of submitting 10 an imputatien.
! alike dishonorable and unfounded in fact, or
of meeting the issue which has been tender
cd to me under the alleged authority of that
high officer. If do not shrink from this un
equal strife, it is because have confidence,
which has never wayered, in the intelligence
Of my countymen, firm and mistaken re
lance 10 the justice of that tribunal, whose
high prerogative it is at all times, and under
j all circumstances, to vindicate the cause OF
truth.
have studiously abstained from any effort
70 excite public feeling in relation to the dis
solution Of the late Cabinet. have felt that
the question of ITS propriety was one, the
decision of which belonged alone to the A.
m erican People Personally | have not been
disposed to deny the right of the President
TO cxerise his own free will, as well in the
change, as IN the original selection Of his
Ca oinet; and with perfect sense of the del
sicacg Of my own situation, would have been
at al times IA reluctant witness 10 the inves
tIgation OF the causes which led to the recent
events 1t was not, however, enough that
should sub nit myself TO his will. although
the principle by which it was avewedly re
gulated, could have no application to me; for
this have unhesitatingly done. But have
been required silently TO witness the entire
representation of occurrences which the
pub ic were well aware must have come un
der my observation; nav, to he publicly
voucled as authority for that which was dl
rec;ly in conflict with my convictions of truth
i and finally to be called TO vindicate my own
claim to veracity, assaIled as it is under the
aledged authority OF the President of the
United States, or TO submit to an ~ putation
which no honorable man may bear mis-
take the character Of the American People,
If they would require this. am totally ig
norant of my own, il, under any circumstan-
ces, could yield to it, If, in the face Of this
great community, the cause of truth can be
Frustrated by the arm Of power, at least the
privilege of vindicating it, shall not be tame
ly surrendered IN my person. | will bow to
Che decision OF my couRtrymen-but whate-
yer that decision may be, the high csnsola-
ton Of having faithfully discharged my duty
to them, and to myself, shall not be taken
from me
The disingennous and unmaniy suggestion
of my desire to remain in the Cabinet of Gen
eral Jackson notwithstanding the occurren.
ces which produced my retirement, will be
my apology for advertlng briefly to the orr
gin of my connexion with it, and to the cir
camstances which induced its continuance.
1t was without any solicitation on my part,
or, so far as know or believe, on the part
OF any Of my friends, that was invited TO
accept the office of Attorney General OF the
United States There were circumstances,
temporary in their nature. but still strongly
operative, which rendered It not desirable to
me | felt. however, that was called to de
eide upon the question of my acceptance,
not merely as an individual, but as a citizen,
and especially as citizen of Georgia. On
certain principles Of general policy, some Of
which were particularly interesting to the
people Of that State, the views Communicated
10 me by the President, were in aceordaRse
with my own: and felt it to be my duty, not
to withhold any assistance which could give
TO carry them into effect The aanun-
citation OF the names Of the intended Cabinet
seemed TO me, however, to present an insu-
perable bar to my acceptance of the office
which was rendered 10 me. Though fore
saw clearly the evils which have too obvious
ly resulted from this selection, A stranger
20 Gen. jackson, could not with propriety
discuss these objections with him. knew,
moreover, that some oi his confidential friends
had faithfully discharged their duty TO him.
snd TO the country, by frank coulmunica
ton OF them. In this state OF things, | sought
the counsel of those around me 10 gen
Is,nan high in the confidence OF the Presi-
dent, and to distinguished citizen of my
owl State. | submitted the inquiry, whether
with thu, view Of the Cabinet which The Pre-
sideEt had selected. could with propfiety
become me .nber oft I he former express
Ell his iecIded conviction, founded on loag
ami intimate knowledge of the Presidents
Character, that he would himself speedily see,
and correct the evil. The latter ueged the
peculiar relations of Georgia with The Gene
TAI Government, as presenting strong claim
upon me not TO refuse The invitation which
haa oeen gwen to me | Welded TO these