The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1841-09-21


genuine friends, being the bitter, systematic,
determined, uncompromsing opponents Of
every leading measure of John Tyler's admin
istralionl Was there ever before such an ex-
ample presented, in this or any other age, in
this or any other country? | have myself
known the President too long, and cherished
toward him too sincere a friendship, to allow
my feelings to be affected or alienated by any
thing which mas passed here to-day. If tho
President chooses which l am sure he can
not, unless falsehood has been whispered into
his ears or poison poured into his heart-to de-
tnch himself from me, i shall deeply regret it,
for the sake of our common friendship and our
common country. | now repeat, what be.
fore said, that, of all the measures of relief
which the American People have called upon
US for, that of National Bank and sound
and uniform currency has been the most loudly
and unfortunately demanded. The Senator
saws that the question of bank was not the is
sue made before the People al the late election.
can, say foE one, my own conviction is d.
ametricaly 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 de-
gree by considerations of local politics. What
issue may therefore have been presented to the
people of Virginia, either above or below tide
water, | 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 Union A laugh.l
| can tell that Senator that wherever was
in the great valley of the Missssippi-in Ken
tucky-in Tennessee-in Maryland--in all tho
circles in which moved--every where, Bank
or no Bank was the great, the leading, the
vital question. At Hanover, in Virginia,
during the last summer, al one Of the most re-
maj kable aud respectable and gratifying as
semb!ages that ever attended, ! distinctly an.
nounced my conviction that Bank of the
United States was Indispensable. As TO the
opinions of Gen. Harrison, knew that, like
many others, ne had entertained doubts as TO
the constiiutionaiy of bank but | also
know that as the election approached. his o.
pInions turned more and more in favor of Il
National Bank and | speak from my own
personal knowledge of his opinions when saw
that | have no more doubt he would have
signed that bill than that you, Mr.. President
now occupy that chair, or thai | am addressing
you.
| | rose not 10 say one word which should
wound the feelings OF President Tyler. The
'enator says that, if placed in like circumsian.
ces, | would have been the last man to avoid
putting direct veto upon the bill, had il me.
nv disapprobation and he does me the hon.
or to attribut. to me high qualities of stern aud
unbcnding irtrepdity, hope that in all that
relates 10 personal 6rmncss--all that concerns
| AUST appreciation of the insignifcnnce Of hu-
man life--whatever may be attempted 10
threaten or alarm soul not easily swaved by
| p2Osit on, or awed or inundated by menace
| stout heart and steady eye that can survey,
unrnoved and undaunted, any mere personal
parIlS that assai this poor transient, perishing
frame, may, without disparagement, compare
with other men. But there is sort of courage
which, frankly confess it, do not Possess--a
bodness % which dare not aspire--a yaor
which cannot covei. | cannot lay myself
down in the way Of the welfare and happiness
of my country. That cannot. have not the
courage TO do. | cannot interpose the power
with which may be invested power con-
ferred not for my personal benefit, nor for my
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, but for my country,s good
TO check her onward march to greatness and
glory. have not courage enough, | am too
cowerdly, for that. | would not, ! dare not, in
the exercise of such trust, lie down, and plac"
my body across the path t'c: leads my cc~nrry
TO prosperity and happiness. The is sort Of
courage widely different from that which a man
may display in his private conduct and personal
relations. Personal or private courage is TO-
tally distinct from that higher and nobler cour-
age which prompts the patriot 10 offer himself
a voluntary sacrifice 10 his counirys good.
Nor did say, The Senator represents, that
the President should have resigned. Iintimatel
no personal wish or desire that he should resign.
tha foof off ahl
in his public life. And what did say was that
there were other alternatives before hin besides
vetoing the bill /; and that it was worthy of bis
consideration whether consistency did not require
that the example he had set when he had con-
stituencv Of one State. shonld not be followed
when he had constituency rommensu iate with
the whole Union. Another alternative 10
suffer the bill without his signature, 10 pass into
law under the provisions OF the Constitution
And / must confess | see IN this, no such escaP-
ing BY the back door, no such jumping out Of tie
window as tn. Senator talks about. Apprehrn-
sions of The impuiation of want OF firmness
sometimes impel US to perform rash aud IncOD-
siderate acts. IL is the greatest courage 10 lie
able TO bear the imputation CT the want Of cOur-
age But pride vanity, egotism, so unamiablt'
and offensive in private life, are vices which par.
take of the character of crimes in the conduct of
public affairs. The unfortunate victim of these
passions cannot see beyond The little, petty, con-
emptble circle of his own personal interests. All
his thoughts Withdrawn from his country,
and concentrated on his consistency, his frmness,
himself. The high, the exalted, The sublime
otions of patriotism, which. soaring towards
Heaven, rises fai above all mean, low, selfish
things, and is absorbed by one soul-transporIi"g
thought of the good and the glory of ones coun'
try, are never felt in his mpenetrable bosom.
That patriotism which, catching Its inspirations
from the immortal God, and leaving at an in
measurable distance below all lesser groveling,
personal interests and feelings, animstes and
prompts TO deeds of selfsacriice, Of valor, of de-
yotion, and of deah itself that is public virturc