The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1831-04-30

ernment should It NO time be voluntarily
Exposed ;--the more especially should
this be avoided at 20, svent(al period in
The affairs Of the world, when our country
may particularly need the utmost harmony
| in her councils.
Such being my impression, the path Of
iuty il plain; and Inot only submit with
;heerinlness to whatever personal sacri-
ices may be involved in the surrender Of
|rhe station ] occupy; but / make il my
ambition to Get IN example which, should
in the progress Of the Government be
deemed, notwithstanding the humility Of
it, origin, worthy Of respect and observ-
ance, cannot, think, fail to prove essen
tally and permanently beneficial.
Allow me, Sir, to present one more
view Of the subject: You have consented
TO stand before your constituents for re-
election. OF their decision, resting a. il
does upon the unbought suffrsges of,a
free, numerous, and widely extended peo-
pie, il becomes no man to speak with GER
tainty. Judging, however, from the past,
and making reasonable allowance for
the fair exercises of the intelligence and
public spirit Of your fellow citizens, cam
not hesitate in adopting the belief that
1.-THE confidence, as well in your capacity
for civil duties a. in your civic virtues, al
ready 90 spontaneously and strikingly dis
played, will be manifested with increased
energy, now, that all candid observers
must admit their utmost expectations to
have been more than realized.
If this promise, il suspicious to the
best interests occur common country, be
| fulfilled, the concluding term Of your ad-
|ministration will, in the absence Of any
prominent cause Of discord among ito sup
lporters, afford most favorable opportu-
nifty for the full accomplishment Of those
important public objects, in the prosecu-
ltion ofwhich have Witnessed on ycur
part such steady vig'.nce and untiring de-
votion. To the unfavorable influence
which my continuance 10 your Cabinet,
under existing circumstances, may exer-
else upon this flattering prospect, can
not, Sir, without total disregard Of the
lights Of experience, and without shutting
my eyes to the obvious tendency Of things
for the future, be insensible, Having,
moreover, from deep conviction Of its
Importance to the country, been among
the most urgent Of your advisers to yield
yourself to the obvious wishes ofthe Peo-
pie, and knowing the sacrifice ofPersonal
feeling which was involved in your acqui-
escence, / cannot reconcile il to myself to
be in any degree the cause Of embarrass-
ment to you during the period which, ~
it certainly will be Of deep interest to your
country, - Moreover destined to bring to
its close, your patriotic, toilsome and o
ventful public life.
From these considerations, feel it to
be doubly my duty to resign post, the
retention Of which 10 50 calculated to at
tract assaults upon your administration, to
which there might otherwise be no induce
ment-assaults Of which, whatever be
their aim, the most important ns well as
most injurious effect is, upon those pub
lie interests which deserve and should
command the supportof all good citizens.
This duty, should have discharged at
an earlier period, but for considerations,
partly of public, partly ofa personal ma
ture, connected with circumstances which
were calculated to expose its performance
then to misconstruction and misrepresen-
tation.
Having explained the motives which
govern me in thus severing, and with
seeming abruptncss, the official ties by
which we have been associated, there re-
mains but one duty for me to perform. 1t
is to make my profound and sincere &C.
knowledgements for that steady support
and cheering confidence which; in tile dis
charge Of my public duties, ! have, under
all circumstances, received at your hands;
as we'll as for the personal kindness at all
times extended to me. @T
Rest assured, Sir, that the success Of
your administration, and the happiness of
your private life will ever constitute OBJ
iects Of the deepest solicitude with your
sincere friend and obedt servant, 'ne
'a h M. VAN BUREN,.
The President.
WAsHINcroS, April 1881.
Dear Sir, D
Your letter rcsigning the Office Of Sec
'etary Of State was received last evening.
could indeed wish that no circumstance
lad arisen to interrupt the relations
have, ior two years, .subsistcd be-
4 - sL>v ,n:whs hev~ ac, i,