Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1841-10-07
BEAUTIFUL EXTRACT.


ioinder to Mr.. Rives, on the veto, is the most
beautiful thing we have met with for many
a dav. The sentiments are worthy of the
great man who uttered them, and should be
preserved as u true specimen of genuine,
heartfelt, soul stirring eloquence:
81 rose not to say one word which should
wound the feelings of President Tyler. The
Senator says that, if placed in like circum-
stances, would have been the last man to
avoid putting direct veto upon the bill, had
it met my disapprobation and he does me
the honor to attribute to me high qualities OF
stern and unbending intrepidty. l hope
that in all that relates to personal firmness-
all that concerns just appreciation of the
insignificance of human life-whatever may
be attempted to threaten or alarm a soul not
easily swayed by opposition, or awed or IN
Inundated by menace-a stout heart ana a
steady eye that can survey, unmoved ana
undaunted, any mere personal Perils that as
sail this poor transient, perishing frame,
may, without disparagement, compare with
ether men. But there is a sort of courage
which, frankly confess it, do not possess
IL holiness to which | dare not aspl:e-a
valor which l cannot covet. l cannot lay
myself down in the way of the welfare and
happiness of my country. That l cannot,
have not the courage to do. cannot inter
pose the power with which may be invested
IA power conferred not for my personal be-
nefit, nor for my agrandizement, but for my
country's good-to check her onward march
to greatness and glory. have not courage
enough, am too cowardly, for that. would
not, dare not, in the exercise Of such trust,
lie down, and place my body across the
path that leads my country to prosperity and
happiness. This is sort of courage widely
different from that which man may display
in his private conduct and personal rela-
tions. Personal or private courage is totally
distinct from that higher and nobler courage
which prompts the patriot 10 offer himself u
voluntary sacrifice to his country's good.
Nor did say, as the Senator represents,
that the President should have resigned.
intimated no personal wish or desire that he
should resign. | referred to the fact of
memorable resignation in his public life.-
And what / did say was, that there were
other alternatives before him besides vetoing
the bill: and that it was worthy Of his con-
sderation whether consistency did not re-
quire that the example which he had set
when he had q constituency of one State,
should not be followed when he had con-
s.ituency commensurate with the whole Un-
ion. Another alternative was to suffer the
bill, without his signature, to pass into law
under the provisions of the Constitution
And confess see in this no such escaping
by the back-door, and no such jumping out
of the window, as the Senator talks about.
Apprehensions of the imputation of the want
Of firmness, sometimes impel US to perform
rash and inconsiderate acts. 1t is the great
est courage to be able to bear the imputation
of the want of courage. But pride, vanity,
egotism, so unamiable and offensive, in pri-
vale life, are vices which partake of the
character of crimes in the conduct Of public
affairs. The unfortunate victim of these
passions cannot see beyond the little, petty,
contemplate circle of his own personal in.
terests. All his thoughts are withdrawn
from his country, and concentrated on his
consistency, his ffrmness, himself. The high,
the exalted, the sublime emotions of patri-
otism. which. soaring towards heaven, rises
and is absorbed by one soul-transporting
thought of the good and the glory of ones
country, are never felt in his impenetrable
bosom. That patriotism which, catching its
inspirations from the immortal God, and
leaving at an immeasurable distance below
all lesser, grovelling, personal interests and
feelings, animates and prompts to deeds of
self-sacrifce, of valor, of devotion. and of
death itself-thatis public virtue-that is the
noblest, the sublimest of all public virtues!
l said nothing of any obligation on the
part of the President TO conform his judg-
ment to the opinions of the Senate and the
House of Representatives, although the Sc
nator argued as if had, and persevcred in
so arguing. after repeated corrections. /
said no such thing. know and respect the
perfect independence of each department.,
acting within its proper sphere, of other de-
m rtTnpnfq Rnf / rnfarraI n tho mn ;or;tsoc
in the two Houses of Congress as further and
Of the United States in favor of the establish
ment of Bank of the United States. And |
contend that, according to the doctrine of in
structions which prevailed in Virginia, and
of which the President is disciple, and, in
pursuance of the example already cited, he
ought not to have rejected the bill.
| have heard that, on his arrival at the
seat of the General Governme nj to enter up
OH the duties of the office of Vice President,
in March last. when Intercepted how for he
meant to conform, in his new station, to GER
tain peculiar opinions which were held in
Virginia, he made this patriotic and noble
reply: ~ am Vice President of the United
States. and not of the State of Virginia and
I shall be governed by the wishes and opin-
ions of my constituents" When heard of
this encouraging and satisfactory reply, be-
lieving, as most religiously do, that large
majority of the People of the United States
are in favor of National Bank, (and gen.
tlemen may shut their eyes to the fact, deny
or dispute, or reason it away as they please,
but it is my conscientious conviction that
two-hirds, if not more. of the people of the
United States desire such an institution,)
thought beheld sure and certain guaranty
Cor Abe Si,lRlamant of the w;obaS rs tho d.