Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-10-07
For me &aunion Spectator.
DANIEL WEBSTER.

our iato war; wnich niS.iate opponents, but pre-
sent allies, have so frequently preferred against
him. l never believed these charges. i have
always considered him in politics, as n Jupiter
Tonans-a Of extraordinary powers of mind,
of powerful eloquence, but more than all, San
honest man" and an enlightened patriot. His
present position is "a trying one; and it will be
fortunate for Mr.. Webster if he comes out IN the
present contest unscathed. 1 confess l do not
like the signs so far. Can il be, that Daniel |
Webster has consented to sink his character from |
that of an independent, enlightened, Jsinterest-
cd, honest statesman, into the con,emptible time |
serving, trimming partisanl Ii So every one will |
be ready to ask, where shall look for political
honesty His name sir is one of the brightest |
In the galaxy of American statesmen and time |
has been constantly adding TO its lustre. Can he |
consent that cloud shall rest upon it, and that |
II shall be said OF him, it was of Lord Bacon,
that he is one of the ''greatest, meanest wisest
of mankind" The fact cannot be doubted that
MIR. Webster has connected himself with John
Tyler, and this new combination has already re-
celved the name of the ''IPeJster-ryler'' party.
Daniel Webster, then, must bear much of the o.
dun which must necessarily be the lot OF the
President and very much fear that even MIR.
Webster, with all his influence, talents, and ac-
knowledged purity. will not be able to cleanse
the political quagmire into which he has thrown
himself, but will come out a little muddy himself.
''Ihe crow may battle his coal black form in mire,
| And unperceived, fly with the filth away
| But if the like the snow-whitn swan desire,
The dirt upon his silky down will stay
1t Is trle, but true maxim, that "facts are
stubborn things and no mans character I'M
sustained by truth can stand against them. And
| II Ewings expose is true, then has Daniel Web
| ster already lost more than half of his dignity
| ana his influence. That communication contains
matter calculated TO make every man hang his
mead with modification at the degradation of his
country. 1t is before the public. and must excite
profound attention. What does he tell us That
| President Tyler was well acquainted with the
character of the first bill presented to Congress
that the 10Th section especially, was unequivocal-
| ~ approved by him that altei his veto of the
first bill, Il mean Clay's bill, )ano,her bill was
prepared at his request; that all its provisions
were known to him and approed; that its lille
was suggested by himself; that he caused il to be
| brought before the two Houses, by men selected
by himself; that he used membc-s of his Cabinet
to elect this, pcGging himself to give his appro-
| val; that alter all this, he suddelly signGud his
intention TO veto his own bill, thus strangling his
own offspring; that he was ,mconreous as not
even 30 mention his change o. purpose to the
men he had deceived; that at The same time his
secret intentions are disclosed TO feed CORES
pondent OF vile sheet in neighborng city,
which is filed with abuse of his Harrison Cabi-
net; that even the contents OF his Veto were dis
closed, and It's very language anticipated; that af.
ter all this, he sends in his Veto as if all these
facts had never .ranspired, and as if the contents
and principles OF the bill were new to him and
by artiul heterogeneous attempts 10 produce this
impression, making upon, and criticisng the
very parts OF the bill which before his cabinet he
had originated and approved, and closes his veto
with an undigniticd appeal to the sympathy of
those friends who had elevated him TO office, and
had supported him, and who, he had thus, with
mailce-a torethought, betrayed attempting to off,
set this betrayal, by pleading that he had done
Hsnt In other things, thus pleading the simple
:, m nc g..
duct. Are these facts2 Can il be supposed for
moment that Ewing would have stated them if
they Were not ? They can be proven by the 9TH
er members of the Cabinet, and Webster himself;
by numerous members of Conssoss, and the
| PRESIDENT himself is appealed TO TO confirm them
lie has not and cannot deny them, bnt suffers his
press to complain, that secrets are told out of
school, and that thus the betrayer is BETRAYED
while at the same time, he tells his secrets to an
| obscure, nameless, cunning, insdous, irresponsi-
| bic correspondent of dirty sheet. Why, sir,
this Is a new doctrine, that Cabinet ministers
must become iree-masons. Does not the very ar
| gument OF secresy carry guilt on its face? Public
men should not be over communicative, but sure
! ~ the officers OF our Government should do moth
! ing they would be ashamed to reveal.
| 10 man thus entangled in ''net of his own
| weaving" has Daniel Webster attached himself
| Dy avowais too plain to be misunderstood. Mr..
| webster has either overrated the weight of his
| own character, or moderated the discernment of
mo OF mas COHlnillteu DOtn these
rors. 1t is singular that while he was defending
his own motives, he should be so indiscrcct as to
crltclse those of his former associates and he
need not be surprised to find, that those will be
found who will follow the example he has set,
and offset his motives for his conduct. lfhs sim
gle object Is to serve his country in her present
peculiar emergency, why does he attempt 10
throw the weight of his influence on Mr.. Tylers
side, by blaming the other members of the Cabi-
net Tor doing that which in no way affected him
W hat has their motives for resigning to do with
the Mcleod affair! His conduct savours as
much of vanity and mpertinence as OF cunning |
Inc factl MIR. Webster's design is 10 throw his
Whole influence into the Tyler dynasty, and to
present his great name in opposition to the retiring
ministers, and the mass of the Wing party The |
great henuckian is to be the point TO be fred at.
and he Is to be Frustrated al all hazards Mr. |
Webster cannot forget, that for the office he now
holds, he was second choice; Henry Clay FIRST |
In this war of giants let him summon ali his |
strength. proclaim it sir, Horny Clay is now |
the great commoner." Anabused and BETRAYED. !
but dauntless, great and magnanimous people, |
VIII bear up their champion on a rampant Of |
shields, and even Daniel w ebster if in oDposi |
ton, will bite the dust.
Query. Is Webster still a Federalist? Lettbc |
democrats say. IOJA
mr.. Guy at Uome!-A meeting Of the Wings |
of Lexington (Ky.) was held on the 18th uit