The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-06-22
prNovAL OF Mr.. CAMPBELL.

rance and revenge, is not yet appeased. The
rD,oward result of the Virginia election has
added new fuel TO the flame, and all within
reach of its jaws, who by their relations, may
he suspected of not having accomplished for
"Me party" all that was expected Of them,
are likely TO be made its victims.
JoHN CAMPBELL, Esq, Treasurer Of the
limited States, is now added, we understand,
10 the list of sacrifices, which Loco-loco in
tolerance and desperation have demanded.
This case is peculiarly worthy Of being pre-
sented - the public consideration, as strongly
Illustrative of the unprinciped character of
the men in power, who regard surrender of
all personal independence and freedom of
opinion, as essential to the public service.
1t presents, ALSO an additional proof of the
utter heartlessness, and worse than punic
faith Of Van Burenism.
Mr.. Campbell is of one of the most infu-
entail families of Virginia, and brother of
the present patriotic Governor Of that State.
While a member of the Virginia Executive
Council, and in independent circumstances,
he was invited to the office Of Treasurer of
the United States. by General Jackson. Mr.
Campbell declined the honor in favor of ar
other gentleman he recommended. General
Jackson insisting upon Mr., Campbel's accept
ing the appointment, employed Mr. Van Blu
rem as an intercessor, who urged upon Mr.
Campbell every consideration of public, pri-
vate and party interest, TO induce him to take
the office. Mr. Campbell still declined, re-
plying that he could not be accessory to the
disappointment of the friend who had applied
for the Office, with his recommendation. MIR.
Van Buren,, in his usual faltering tone, COM
pmented the chivalrous sentiments of Mr..
Campbell as an additional evidence Of his
worth and as increasing the desire OF the
President to have him near him. 1t was not
until the election made by Mr.. Campbell
had been completely removed, that he con-
sented to accept the office urged upon him.
The efficiency and accuracy with which
Mr.. Campbell discharged the duties on which
he had entered, were a gratifying proof that
tue resident lldu lDilneu d correct eStltDdlG
of his ability and character During the time
Mr.. Campbell has been in office, there has
been no department more free of suspicion,
and none that has been conducted in more
clear, efficient, accurate, and disinterested
manner, than the Office of the Treasurer
Some four or five hundred millions Of dollars
have passed through it under his administra-
tion-some fifteen or twenty millions of
Treasury notes have received his signature,
&c. within the last two years, and many
other arduous duties devolying upon the office,
have been discharged in manner equally
prompt and able.
Two committees of Congress have inves-
tigated the affairs Of the Treasury Depart
ment, since MIR. Campbell has been in it, and
although they found matters of complaint
against many of the leading bureaus, and par
tcularly against the Secretary Of the Treasu-
ry, yet nothing has appeared TO impeach the
integrity or the capacity Of the Treasurer.
1t appears, however, that, possessing iacili-
ties for acquanting himself lamiliarly with the
financial affairs of the country, and being emf
nenty capable of approaching causes and
effects therein, he formed his orn opinion
upon the various schemes and operations Of
The finance Department. He was in situa-
'ton to perceive the causes of certain mea-
sures, and to feel practically their effects upon
the currency, and through il, upon the busi-
ness and commerce Of the country. Thus,
no doubt, he must have seen the bungling and
dIsgraceIul manner in which the Opposite
Act was cxecuted-he was able TO Judge
whether the new enactmcnts Of law recon-
meuded by the Secretary OF the Treasury
were necessary, and he was competent to take
asensibe and dsinterested view of the Sub
treasury scheme. ] he conclusions of his
Judgment we're naturally and justly against
the Sub-,reasury. Although he held office,
and every motive of interest lay upon che side
Of the administration, yet nothing was permit
ted to break down the high independence of
his mind nor induce him to lend any counte-
nance to a scheme which "neither his con-
science sanctioned nor his judgment approx
Cd The consequence of not being able to
Coincide in the views Of the Secretary Of the
Treasury and the Executive, and ofnot being
willing to prostitute his faculties to party pur-
poses, by base betrayal OF public confidence,
is an attempt on the part of the Executive to
disgrace him, by removal from Office. The
tools Of Secretaries, the sycophantlc pimps Of
the Executive, whose principal characteristics
are Lhnd and willing subserviency to party
men whose malleazances were notorious,
whose deialcations were known to exist, have