Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1831-03-30
FoR TIE WaIG.
Remarks on tho Stale Of Public Affairs.

NO. II.
There are few things in which the wisdom of a ruler
IS more distinctly manifested than in the choice of his
councillors, and knuw that great rulers have COM
moniy had great statesmen for their advisers 1t was
no doubt owing. in great degree, the sound judg
nent of most OF Preridents, this resDect tho,
our affairs have, general been administered with so
much discretion and ability. A Bureigh or . Wash
ingon, is not to be iaund in hamlet though nos
s,nly 'ncn men might be found in every age but dis
cernmen discrimination and judgment, are required
to nx just estimate upon their talents There is not
perhaps more disparity between the talents of Gen.
era' Washington or Mr.. jefferson and those of our
present chief magistrate thsn between their cabinets
1t would be idle to attempt a comparison between
things which have resemblance or proportion to
other, and should do injustice to Mr.. Madison and
Mr. Gallatn, to compare them with Mr. Van Rur.,
and Mr.. Inghsm. Who would compare the Amazon
with his thousand streams, Tiber Creek or the Mis-
sssiPP waiting the wealth of millions, and swelling
tne ocean win has waters, to the little Brooke of
Shockoe, that mmrmurs through the city of Richmond
PREVIOUS to the election Of General Jackson his
induged themselves with the deceptive hope of sbi
nns and able cabinet, which would do honour to the
country and shed lustre his administration. and
their chagrin and disappointment was manifest wien
the names ct those vho compose it, were announced
TO the public 1t is, indeed, assembIsgei such
as this nation has never before Witnessed,
To deireate the true representation of Mr. Van
Buren,. would be task, believe, too great for even
the Presidents Plutaroh, who could as easily unwind
Sora'an Knot, or hold Pro'e'fs in his grasp,
unfold the perpeXities f character, the subety Of
which, bewilders the understanding, as objects seen
by moonlight perpe1 the sight. Such is the lubric
ty with winch he gdes through the mazes of his ar.
thces as ALMOST TO eludc observations yet he desti
ute Of the wisdom of design and mastery Of execu
cution, which be!oig to real statesman. fIe is adj
m'rabiy adrot IN intrigue and party discipline supply
ing the deficiency Of strength by the dex,erity of
management, and practising the craftuess of the fox
Tor the ajestic bodness Of the lion.
If man were to be selected to barter the patron
ageo government, in exchange for the support of
corrupted press, there is who can deal more sue
cessfuiy with either Jew Gentle, than the Secre
tary Of State. For works of this kind his genius and
practice are particularly adapted and in conducting
ately displayed. r
Whea Wolsey stopped to tho practice of in,yipue
and courted the favour Of corrupt and unpyncioled
men Woisey had an object IN yiev-be wisbeJ Co.
n Cardinals hat-his heart was set upon The nonoi
throne. II may be allowed to compare grea, tbiprs
with small, Wolsey more intent upon the ho
nour OF beng Pope, than Mr. Secretary Van Eurep
is ambitious OF the Presidential Chair. However tho
stream may wind through weeds & filth, and nire we
see still pursuing its way to the sea; and like IT, we
perceive the Secretary Of State, through mazes of in
trigue, and subtle articles, seeking his way with
steady purpose, to the Presidency But unless ",be
eyes OF the people dim, and their ears dull of
nearing there IS good reason to hope, that this ca
IamIty will be averted appears to be ordinance
OF nature, tor the security and protection Of mankind
that prudence should rarely be united with
guile; the very effort to conceal often exposes
the rue character, and the man of fraudulent
deHter'y will IN tine BE- known SIR Robert Wspole was well
known TO his eounrymen while he minister and the ,s
character Of Cardinal Mazanne has not suaned de,.soo
nor can Mr.. Van BuTeu always remain In concean.n,
Though undsngulshed for abilities statesman tbi, Gee
eman, Is fully qualified 70 DO minister OF procTpt,on y,
hunter Of tguves Mark Anthony or Afch,as could No,
have oeed more in the G Of Cicero Deno,tbens, Than
ne ooes IN the overthrow OF patriotic and
man, who through the veil that covers him and c
ace hm IN the snuOses o. his course Ills copeer, In the
administration from whom he has nothing IN fe,
ehef IRON their Esgacy their principles, and thus he ev,
more ample sway over the nlnd Of the President and an a.
no" unlimited sway the Of government ,yt
Du a small snare Of the responsibility.
the qualifications Of Mr. nghau supeTin,nd the 6srsl
ehas OF tins nation be examined, what do tbev rons5
no specimen nj hs talents either nance or ppt has ve
1een eHnbned 10 the world Ills reports rEanples of he
aoour 70 he tedious and Of his prozity IN DUNES Sod
We not admire the agacry Of the President who could die
Germ IN the mind Of this gentleman, fires Of genus
WhlcIi bSVt always teen hidden from public eve u ~
by always vii be- We should he grateful 10 bin ,r ,,
sng modest merit into notice, which, without his ua,on,,
had persisted unknown '"'
We little a a loss Ia discoye, q ,.,.,.
m branch Secretary Of the Navy, for we have
ha hs ocef was particularly distinguished fr h,s
OF maritime aiaf Naval operations OF Tor anu Lnd .,
a,ems we nave read Of Peer of France ,,ho
neIu we once o admiral Of that Kingdom was sometime,
sahn' general oi the land forces able minister NJ .,s
DIV VINO perhaps had never days service Al ssa 1,
ngW he ~ imitation Of the TILE of this great officer in T,,
ua me land admiral Of North Carolina was made
VI ,ne Nayy Since b. appointment Office we have unde
oon wv went upon voyage Of discovery 10 serch
kno"ledge and acquired all could he leaued !, s
on Nonok TO New York for this commend his nd,,,y
su envy not his Improvement With such talents and Ak
genoa al the head OF the naval department NAV ,ys 40, W.
anh tne removal Of Commodore Warrington from bs No.
no'e an compensated by tire active zeal and rrI;,,
cned judgment Of tie Secretary ' "'" ''''s"'