Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-09-16

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other country Iiowe myself known the
President too long, and cherish toward him
too sincere a friendship, to allow my feelings
to be affected or alienated by any thing which
has passed here to-day. II the President
choOses-which am sure he cannot, unless
falsehood has been whispered into his ears or
poison poured into his heart-to deach him
self from me, shall deeply regret it, for the
sake of our common friendship and our con-
mon country. now repeat, what before
said, that, of all the measures of relief which
the American People have called upon us for, |
that of National Bank and sound and uni
form currency has been the most loudly and |
approximately demanded. The Senator saws |
that the question of bank was not the issue
made before the People at the late election.
can say, Tor one, my own conviction is dia- !
mctrically the contrary. What may have
been the character of the canvass in Virginia,
will not say; probably gentlemen on both
sides were, every where, governed in some
degree by considerations of local policy
What issues may therefore have been present.
ed to the people of Virginia, either above or
below Underwater, / am not prepared to say
| The great error, however, OF the honorable
| Senator is in thinking that the sentiments of a
particular party in Virginia are always fair
| exponent of the sentiments of the whole u
Mon. A laugh. can tell that Senator that
wherever was-in the great valley of the
| Mississippi--in Kehsoeky-ln Tennessee
III Niaryland-in all the circles in which /
movcd-every where, "Bank or no Bank'
was the great, the leading, the vital question
AT Hanover, in Virginia, during the last sum-
mer, at one of the most remarkable and re-
spectacle and gratifying assemblages that |
ever attended, distinctly announced my con-
viction that Bank of the United States was
Indispensable. As to the opinions of Gen'l
Harrison, Knew that, like many others, he
had entertained doubts as to the constitutions
atty of bank but also know that, as the
election approached, his opinions turned more
and more III favor OF National Bank and |
speak from my own personal knowledge of
his opinions when | say that have no more
doubt he would have signed that bill than that
you, MIR. President, now occupy that chair, or
that am addressing you.
| rose not to say one word Which should
wound the feelings of President Tyler. The
Senator says that, if placed in like circumstan-
ces, would have been the last man to avoid
putting direct veto upon the bill, had it met
my disapprobation and he does me the hon
or to attribute to me high qualities of stern
and unbendng intrepidity. | hope that in all
that relates to personal frmness-all that con.
ofhuman liic-whatever may be attempted to
|, threaten or alarm soul not easily swaycd b,
o opposition, or awed or inundated by menace
q stout heart and steady eye that can survey
, unmoved and undaunted, any mere personal
Perils that assai this poor transient, perishns
frame, may, without dsparagement, compare
/ with other men. But there is sort of cour-
f age which frankly confess it, do not pos
). sess-a boldness to which | dare not aspire
y valor which cannot covet cannot Law
" myself down in the way of the welfare ant
e happiness of my country. That / cannot,
=, have not the courage to do. cannot inter
!. pose the power with Which ! may be invested
= "a power conferred not for my r., =
n for ny agggaadzemein5tn R Var i mrn
y to greatness and glory. have not courage
d enough, am too cowardly, for that Iwoul,
j. not dare not, III the exercise of such a trust
If he down, and place my body across the patti
i that leads my country to prosperity and hap.
y plness. Inns Is sort of courage widely differ
ent from that which man may display in his
f private conduct and personal relations. Per-
sonal or private courage is totally distinct
, from that higher and nobler courage which
prompts the patriot to offer himself a volun-
+ tary sacrifice to his country's good
| Nor did say, as the Senator represents,
that the President should have resigned.
minated no personal wish or desire that he
should resign. | referred to the fact of me-
morable resignation in his public life. And
what did say was, that there were other al
ternatives before him besides vetoing the bill :
and that 1t was worthy of his consideration
whether consistency did not require that the
example which he had set when he had con-
situency of one State, should not be follow
ed when lie had a constituency commensu-
rate with the whole Union. Another alterna
tive was TO suffer the bill, without his SIGMA
turc, to pass into law under the provisions
Oh the Constitution. And | must confess
see, III this, no such escaping by the back
door, no such jumping out of the window. as
the Senator talks about. Apprehensons of
The mpuaon of the want of firmness some
times Impel us to perform rash and inconsid
crate acts. 1t is the greatest courage to be A.
Die TO bear the lmputation of the want of cour
age But pride, vanity, egotism, so mamia-
Die ana offensive in private life, are vices
which paFtake of the character of crimes in
the conduct of public affairs The unfortu-
nate victim of these passions cannot see be-
yohd the little, petty, contemplate circle of
his own personal interests All his Thoughts
are Withdrawn from his country, and concen-
rated on his conslstency,his frmness, hi mself
Inc nigh, the exalted, the sublime emotions
OF patriotism, which, soaring towards Heaven.
| far obn oil l..