Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-04-21
WAsHIxCroS, April 1lth, 1881.

WAsHIxCToS, April llth, 1851.
Dear Sir: I feel it to be my duty to retire from
| the Office to which your confidence and para,y
called me. The deiicacv of this step, under te
circumstances in which II is taken, will, tus,
be deemed an ample apology for stating more
nv, the reasons by which AIN influenced
From the moment of taking my seat in your
Cabinet, ii has been my anxious wish and jealous
endeavor to prevent premature agitation of the
question of your successor; and at all events, 10
discOnutenance, md if possible repress the disDo.
sitIon, at an early day manifested, to connect
my name with that disturbing topic. OF thcsin.
cerity and the consistency of tins disposition, 10
one has had better opportunity to judge than
yourself 1t has, however, been unavailing. Cir.
cumstances, not Of my creation, and altOsetLs
beyond my control, have given to this subject
turn which cannot now be remedied, except bvi
self -disfrancbisemen which, even if dictated b.
my individual wishes, could hardly be reconcile
able with proPricty or selfrespect.
Concerning the injurious effects which the cr.
cumstance of a member of the Cabinets occupy.
ing the relation towards the country to which
have adverted, is calculated TO have upon the con.
duct of public affairs, there cannot, think,
this time be room Tor two opinions. Diversitiesd
Interior preference among the friends OF an ad.
ministration unavoidable; and even if the res.
pective advocates Of those thus placed in rival
ship be patriotic enough to resist the Temptation
| Of creating obstacles TO the advancement Of hin
to whose elevation they are opposed, by embar
assing the branch Of public service committed
his charge. they are, nevertheless, by their pos
ton, exposed to the suspicion of entertaining ant
encouraging such views: a suspicion which can
seldom fail in the end, to aggrayate into presel'
alienation and hostility the prospective differ
ences which first gave rise oit. Thus, undern
least unfavorable consequences, individual ID.
justice is suffered, and the Administration en-
barassed and weakened. Whatever may have
been the course OF things under the peculiar cir
cumstanccs of the earlier stage Of the Republic,
my experience has fully satisfied me that, at IL:
day, when the field of selection has become y
extended, the circumstance referred TO, by aus |
menting the motives and sources of opposition |
the measures OF the Executive, must unavOidablI
prove the cause of injustice to the public Sci &c,
for counterpOise to which we may look in vai
to the peculiar qualifications OF any individual;
and even ii should in this be mistaken, still
cannot so far deceive myself as to believe for
moment that am included IN the exceptions:
These distractions to tie successful prosecg
ton OF public affairs, when superadded to Tia
opposition which is inseparable from our free 10
stltutions and which every administration mu,
expect. present mass to which the operations
the government should at no time be yountanI
exposed:-the more especially should this d
avoided at SO eventful period in the affairs
the world, when our country may particular
need the utmost harmony in her councils.
Such being my impressions, the path Of dGr
IS plain; and not only submit with cbeerfUlSni
to whatever personal sacrifices may lie nyoIs
in the surrender of the station occupy; but
make 1t my ambition to set an example Which
should 1t IN the progress of the Government b
deemed, Notwithstanding the humility Of is o.
gin, worthy Of respect and observance, CANA
think, TAIL to prove essentially and pe,mai:ia
beneficial
Allow Inc, Sir, 10 present one more vss&
the subjcct-You have consented to stand tl@'
your constituents for re. election. OF their d.
cislon, resting as it does upon the unboush ''t
TRACES Ut free, numerous, and widely exlett
ded people, it becomes no man to speak With CT
tainty. Judging, however, from the past az
making reasonable allowance for the fair eis
else Of the intelligence and public spirit Of 70
| cannot hesitate in adopting
belief that the confidence, as well in your
pacity for civil duties as in your civic write
alread so spontaneously and strikiDgly dI'P.
ed, will be manifested with increased eneg
now, that all candid observers must admit hs
utmost expectatDs to have been more "
realized.
1t this promise, SO auspcious to the best IL
rests OF our common country, be fulfilled, the
Guiding term of your administration will,
absence OF any prominent cause Of discord anD
its supporters, afford most favorable oPPor''
y for the full accomplishment Of those lmlP'Gt'a
public objects, in the prosecution of which ~
witnessed on your part such steady vigilance
lntiring devotion. 10 the unfayorable InbD'1
which my continuance IN your Cabinet uns
existing circumstances, may exercise upon !
1attering prospect, cannot, Sir, Withouta y
disregard of the lights of experience, ana VI, q
,ut shutting my eyes to the obvious tendsnI, N
hings for the future, be nsensible. h''.l
moreover. from deep conviction Of It's ur ii
nee to the country, been among the maa Ss
u your advisers to Weld yourself to the"'