Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-03-20
WILLIAM j. DUANE.
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED
STATES.
l. EFT Il f r III.


FELLow-CITIzENs,-In my first letter,
] apologized for appearing before you,
showed that had been the early and
s,cadrast friend of General Jackson,
pointed out the motive for the persecu-
ton directed against me, which he now
sanctions, and defied him and his adhcr-
ents, to prove any Of their foul imputa-
tions.
Even when oppressed in September
last, it will be seen, on reference to my
letters of the LIST of that month, hereto
fore published, that did not attribute
the conduct of the President to any ma
lignant motive. then considered him
the mere instrument of men around him,
who were unworthy of his confidence;
and believed that he had become the ex-
ecutioner Of their vengeance against all
who checked their rapacity. But con-
fess, that, whilst still believe the Pre-
sident to be ruled by extraDeo Gus inhuen-
ces operating on his passions, it is diff
fCmIt charitably to account for his ST.
lence, whilst acts are deliberately exc
cuted before his eyes, which are at va
rance with truth, Justice and charity.
What can be more serious charge,
than to say, that, under the mask Of
friendship, | entered the cabinet to
thwart the President, and favor an insti-
tuition, which prolcssed to oppose?-
Yet serious as this impuation is, it is
sanctioned by the chief mas gistrate! 1t
is sanctioned in opposition to all facts,
nay, in contradiction to his dec eclarationS
made to me in writing, as well as person
ally, up to the last moments Of our sepa-
ration!
To sustain so grave charge, proof
should have been given; but all that IS
said to sustain it is, that l resisted the
removal Of the deposites, and that, IN a
letter, published at New-Orleans, | ex-
pressed such sentiments, as showed that
had been "indoctrinated with all the
hostility of the bank opposition" My
reasons for resisting the removal OF the
deposites will be given in future letter,
when the public will be able to Judge,
how far that resistance sustains the vile
imputation which | am now considering
At present | shall refer only to the Sc
cond pretcxt for this calumny.
To letter from n friend at New-Or-
leans, wrote a reply in October last,
which ! regretted to see published with
out my consent. From that reply the Of
fetal paper ofthe Goth Of December last
made this quotations:
at is but too obvious, either that we
misunderstood the qualities of Gene ra
Jackson's head, or else he has beer
wonderfully altered On all the cardi.
nal questions agita!ed, he has failed tc
be consistent; he promised purity in Sc.
lections for Office, yet few have beer
purely made; he proiessed to be frient
to domestic industry, yet be has done
more than any body else to PROSTATE it
lie advocat~l a National Government
Bank, and yet affects to dread moniet
aristocracy; he complained Of the cor
ruption of one bank, and yet takes forty
or fifty irresponsible paper-circulatinl
banks under the national wing; he ha
been for, and against, internal improve
ment; he denounced nullific alton, yet h'
has been of late unsaying all that he hat
said in his Proclamation. In short, d.
not believe, he ever had fixed princi
pies, or ever arrived at any result, b,
the exercise of the mind; impulses am
passions hare ruled"
The sketch here presented was draw
after my retirement to private life, an
conse quently after had availed mysel
Of an opportunity not before enjoyed, 9
closely examining the original. Whc
became one Of the Presidents ADV
scrs, il was my duty to study his mora
and intellectual qualities, as wei! as hi
political principles and views; and to thi
end, exerted such powers Of discrimin
alton as ! possessed. The result was
conviction, that, in the portraits which
had drawn, to gain popular appreciation
in 1923 and 1924, had either hattere
General Jackson, owing to my havin
had before me outlines only taken by hi
intimate friends; or else that the feature
had been Of late greatly altered, unde
the influence of pride and power. | ma,
urally stated, in a private letter 30
friend, the result Of my observation, e'
pecially as that friend like myself ba
been originally great admirer Of Ger
eral Jackson; and am sure, it gricye