Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-07-07
RELY.

REILLY.
Ny Friends and FelIou- Citizens:
1t is impossible not to feel deeply sensible of
this manifestation Of your kindness II has been
my good fortune TO have been long connected
with you in all the various relations of social and
political life. am indebted to the generous con-
hdcnce of my felow-ci citizens of this congressional
district, and especially of native county, for Ill
tho numerous public employmcnts in which have
been engaged for the greater part of the last TWEEN
" five years. l have received from them and from
you i'll common with them, innumerable favors
which can never be repaid, but from the overflow
lngs OF grateful heart; but this scene imposes a
deeper obligation than all the rest-it is impossible
to find language to express my fcclings-I can
therefore only return to you my sincere thanks
and assure you that it will ever be remembered with
the most profound and unwavering gratitude For
the kind partality with which you have contcm-
plated and spoken of my public services, can only
offer you additional thanKs-between us, the heart
and not the tongue is the organ of communica-
tiou, and it speaks its feelings best in silence.
When | resigned the trust which the citizens OF
this district last conferred upon me, to engage in
another of greater hazard and responsibility, you
wisely permitted me to enter upon the new scene of
probation without ndulgng exciting cxpeeta-
tions-you felt as did, that the undertaking was
hazardous, and you sympathized in my anxiety for
the consequences 1t was known that the depart
ment committed to my care had recently been char.
gcd with heavy additional duties and responsible
ties, in which Il vast OF the active capital
Oft the country is closely connectcd-That the laws
for the execution of these duties were defective i'm
efficacy, and obnoxious in their rigor-That eal-
ousy and hostility had sprung up i'll various sections
of the union, well in regard to the disposition of
the public lands the great and disturbing ques-
ton ofmpost revenuo that the treasury department
was the point of contact in fact the battle ground
OF the conendiug and excited interests. 1t becomes
not to say how this duty has been executed |
only you, that every faculty of my mind
has been constantly devoted to my official duty;
that for the last two years the midnight watch has
seldom found my eyes closed in slccp-not engag-
~ IN IN of Inc u.,r mo lie b,f,
lone, III the dry arduous and severe investigation
of the various subjects presented for dccison.-
fCu will excuse for thus abiding to matters so
personal to myself. | could not have done it, but
for the peculiar relation which exists between you
and me, and the persuasion that you had been in
formed of the same facts, through other channels;
public sentiments having done more than Justice
in these respects. II had also chcered with the
hope, that the confidence thus kindly reposed
might have been employed in promoting other and
higher objects of public good, in which was zoa-
.ously engaged. 1t ought not TO be disguised, that
tie fiual cxtingushmcut Of the public debt, which
., very near at hand, will present crisis in
the affairs of our country. The public mind should
therefore be ian@rzod 10 1t mud preparation made
IN advance for the event To continue pcrman-
entity upon the people, taxes cqlIl TO ten million of
dollars, the amount of the present sinking fund,
than viii be required for the current expenses
of the government, WILL / most couscientously
believe, hazard the existence of this union and the
moro we disregard the omplaiuts of those who
think Themselves aggrcvcd, LH more rapidly will
That great evil be fastened. What can cunpcn-
safe for the breaking up Of Il confederation, which
IS the highest and may be the last hope Of liberty?
On the other hand, srddenly autSs Unfortunately
20 reduce the impost duties TO the scale of revenue
for current expenditure, would cause scene of
ruin which cannot be described. I have no doubt
but all these evils may be avcrtcd and instead Of
multiplying antagonist interests and exciting ami
mostly and hatred throughout the nation. marked
by geographical boundaries the most dauperous Of
all, that measures might be adopted which would
preserve every interest of the country i'm the opcr
alton Of which, every section would be rcconcilcd;
and which would in fact, draw together the differ
ent parts with bonds Of affection founded in mn
tuai personal well political interests. The
successful adaptation Of these measures TO their
end will require not less Of the spirit Of patriot
ism and of compromise, than knowledge of the
condition and skill in the arrangement of our di
versfed pursuits. The system is complex and
simplicity only be restored by slow degrees and
the time is at hand when the work should be i'm
progress The difficulties great, but they are
not iusurmountablc, and the object is worthy of
the highest effort Of human intelligence. 70 cs-
tablish more firmly tho bonds of the union, not by
physical power, but by Of the moral ccmcnts, /
mutual affections and mutual interest, is work Of
the most exalted character, and when accomplish /
ed will perpetuac an undsturbcd possession of our
rich inheritance, not only to our posterlty, but
render it at no distant day, by the mere force Of
example. not less valuable TO the cause OF human