Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-01-05


preceding administrations, was in Il high
state>of prosperity All public establish
ments, and all the great branches of pri-
vaie industry were in the most flourish
ing condition. Agriculture was rapidly
extending itself in all directions, and par.
Iticularly through the wide and fertile re-
gions of the observation-disclosures were
advancing with unprecedented rapidly
-commorce, internal and foreign, was
animated with a corresponding yIgor-
our relations with foreign powers were Of
the most amicable character-at home,
Tranquility and general contentment per-
vaded every corner Of the Union.-thc
parties that formerly divided the citizens
and distracted the country, had in gre It
measure become extinct under the ope-
iaton of time-the growing prosperity of
tue nation, and the judcious and liberal
conduct of the Government. In the
pride and pleasures which we all felt in
claiming the character of citizens of the
United States, we were ready TO forget
that our fathers had been classcd as ke-
public,ns and Federalists. The name
Of AMERICAN had, by a sort.of common
consent, taken the place OF all other po-
litical distinctions. AMERICAN PEINCI-
pLEs had become the common creed Of
the high minded and patriotic adhcrents
of all the parties. In word, the best
friends of the country had little more to
wish or hope, in regard to our political
situation than that we might proceed III
the course which we were then pursuing
and remain in every thing belonging to
character and principles of Government,
substantially as we were.
This state of things, afforded of course,
the best evidence that could possibly be
had in favor of the administration under
which it had grown up. Much OF IT
could be traced directly to the character
and opinions of the leading members OF
that administration. 1t was, however ,
under these circumstances, that a vigor-
Gus, and, as has been shewn by the IS
sue, successful effort was made to effect
a change, and to place in the Chair oi
the Chief Magistracy the present incum.
bent. On the comparative qualifications
of the President and his predecessor, fol
the high station which they have success
sivcly filed, we will not here speak
We cheerfully resign task so migrate
iul in one of its divisions, to the impair
tial and unshrinking hand Of History
Nor will we here enlarge on the means
by which the change in question was ac-
complishcd-the reckless and perscver-
ing calumny, which was constantly pour
cd forth from hundreds of presses, on the
best and the purest men in the nation,-
the false pretensions to exclusive repub-
| lie canism-the factous clamor which was
kept up in Congress-the artlul combina-
ton of conflicting personal and party in
terests for common object, and the va
rious other unworthy arts that were
brought into action on this occason.-
Suffice it to remark, that the change was
effected-in form, at least--in lega
and constitutional way; and however just
ly offensive the circumstances that broI
it about, might and must have been to
the friends of the last administration
however deficient the present incumbcn,
might have been supposed to be in the
qualities most requisite for the station to
which he had been raised, 1t is believed
that when he entered on his Office, there
was no disposition in any portion OF the
people to commence premature or lac
tious opposition to his measures. II was
alarming enough to prudent and wei
meaning men that the Government oi tn,
country had fallen into such hands, ant
far from attempting to perPlex or embar'
rass the administration, they would fa
thcr have lent all the aid in their powc
to carry the country safely through 81
danperous n crisis. On the other hand
the military successes of the Presidcn
had gained him an extensive persona
popularty, which would have enabled
him, had he known how to turn It to ac
count, to carry on the Government witt
extraordinary facility. Under this com
Ibination of circumstances, il is believed
that had the public affairs been managed
with tolcrablc prudence and discretion
General Jackson might have gone thr''
his term of official life without a show o
opposition, and have been reelected, ha'
he been so inconsistent as to desire II, bl
a unanimous vote.
Nor were the friends of tho country
without strong hopes that such resul
would follow. Deficient as the preslden
was known to be in the qualities and &C
complishmcnts most essential to CIV
magistrate, it was yet anticipated that h
might be found to possess the courtesy
the generous feelings, the high sense
dccorum and propriety which form the ar
propriate ornaments of the military char
! ac,cr, and would have secured him iror
an open offence against the dignity OF hl
Office. ANer the letter to the vcncrabl
patriot Monroe, in which he had so en-
nhaiicnlly recommended the oblivion