Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-09-29

not forgotten the scenes, new to this
of scandalous intrigue and vi
client outrage which succeeded. You
have not forgotten how those distinguish
cd men, ornaments oftheir age & coun-
try, were from time TO time driven off
by DISCUS: or expelled with insult and
contumely from the public councils
You remember by what covert and not
yet explained arts, animosity against
the second officer in the government
was kindled IN the mind of the Presi-
dent, and famed until it broke forth in
to blaze by which his own honor was
scorched and blackened. During all
this time, Mr.. Van Buren, stood behind
the President, daily rising in his favor.
You may conjecture by what arts he
fourished, while all whose crime it was
to be obnoxious TO him, fell. You may
deem it not uncharitabe to imagine
that he was not wholly unconcerned in
fabricating the plots and in stimulating
the resentments which never failed TO
take the direction most favorable to his
interests. 1t seems to have occurred
to his own mind (the only mind consci-
Gus of his motives) witnessing the route
q overthrow of all who stood in his way
that he might at last be suspected of
having helped to raise the storms which
brought him such advantages, and be-
fore the public opinion had time to dar-
ken over him, he retired from your eyes
and your suspicious to the English
Court.
He was not permitted to remain there
The representatives of the States in
Congress, with noble self devotion
which posterity will requite if this gen.
Grafton shall not, refused their consent
to his appointment as n Minister to a
Court, before which, as Secretary of
State, he had disgraced himself and de-
graded his country, by exposing our
domestic divisions, disayowing former
acts of our government, seeking to con-
ciliate the favor of a foreign Prince to
his party, for its party ends, and exhib-
iting the novel and humiliating specta-
Gle of an American Statesman, begging
as an act of grace to his party, what
was either due to his country q should
s, have been demanded, or what was
not due at all, and he should therefore
have scorned to ask even in his coun-
try's name.
He returned, and crawling to the
feet ofthe President with those memo-
rable words in his mouth, which ex-
press the deepest prostration of fawn-
ing servlity he found protection and
fresh honor from the Executive favor.
From that time, you have seen him sit
ting under the ample shade ofthe Pre-
sident, rejecting with the obsequious
fidelity Of certain reptiles, the varying
colors Of the tree which shelters him,
feeding on its fruit and dispensing it,
and securely relying on its rough and
sturdy arms to shield aim from the
storms.
Fellow. citizens, we have desired to
speak Of Mr.. Van Buren, In terms which
should owe all their harshness and Bit
terness, if any they have, to truth
We have not the presumption to sup
pose that our opinions will operate up
on your judgment. We desire nothing
more than to awaken your own recol
|ections, to stimulate your enquiries,
to induce you with calm yet unfin.
ching and determined spirit, TO examine
him for yourselves, accept or reject his
proffered services at your pleasure.
Look back upon the history Of Mr..
Van Buren,. Ask yourselves by what
principles has he been governed! Ask
if there is single great po-
itcal principle, if there is any settled
course ofpolicy, to which he has stead
lastly adhered? Nay-put that ques-
lion to his own partisans, and unless
you will be content with such answers
as fill the ear-but mock the sense
they cannot satisfy you. There is a
principle, policy-permt us to sug.
gest-from which there has been no de- |
parture during his public life, long, tor
Iuous md dark, even in high places as
t has been. There is a thread which
will guide you through the labyrinth
a key 10 unlock its most secret passa-
yes-a word which solves the riddle |
Of his whole career-it is self. To
serve himself has been, so far as we
can discern, the whole aim and end of
every part of his political being, acting
and suffering. During all the changes
of his protcan course, he has never
been provoked by resentment, persua-
ded by candor, driven by any gener-
Gus impulse, or stung by shame. into
any deviation from this principle. The
shifts and changes of his whole public
conduct have taken from it their shape
and color; and without it arc inexpli. I
cable. And is it to such a man that
you are willing to entrust the care of
your steadfast principles, your fixed in
terests, your cherished and unchanging