The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-07-28
[ NUMBER "a.

poHed,) my reasons Tor that change, and
they are preserved in the archives of the
country. | appeal to that record, and am
Wiling to be judged nov and hereafter by
their validity.
| do not advert TO the fact of this soli,a.
~ instance Of change of opinion, as imply.
ing any personal merit, but because II is a
tact. | will, however, say that | think Il
very perllous to the utility Of any public
man TO make frequent changes of opinion,
or any change but upon grounds so suiiic-
lent and Palpable, that the public can clear.
~ see and approve them. Ii we could look
through window into the human breast,
and there discover the causes which led to
changes of opinion they might be made
without hazard. But as il is impossible 10
penetrate 10 The human heart, and distiu.
guish between the sinister aud the honest
motives which prompt il, any public man
that changes his opinion, once deliberately
formed and promulgated, under other cir.
cGmstances than Ihose which have stated,
draws around him dlstrusi, impalre The pub.
tic confidence, and lessons his capacity 10
serve his country.
| will take this occasion now TO say, tia:
am and have long been satisfied, that II
would have been wiser and more polite in
me TO have declined accepting the Office
OF Secretary OF State in 1885. No. tina.
my motives were not as pure and as pa.
trlotlc as ever carried any man into pub.
lie Office. Not thai the calumny which
has applied TO the fac. was no, as gross aud
as uniounded as any that was ever propsga.
ted. tlere somebody cried out that Mr..
Carter Beverly, who had been made the
organ of announcing il, bad recently borne
testimony 10 lis being unfounded. Mr..
Clay SAID It was true that he had volunta-
rlly borne such testimony. But, with grea.
and emphasis, Mr.. Clay said,
want notestlmony-here, here, here, HERE,
repeatedly touching his heart, amidst tire.
mendous cheers, here is the best o. all wit.
nesses Of my innocence.] Not tina. valued
friends, and highly esteemed opponents,
did not unite in urging my acceptance Of
The Office. Not that the administration Of
Mr., Adams will not, sincerely believe,
advantageously compare with shat Of any
Of his predecessors, IN economy, purity,
prudence aud wisdom. Not that Mr.. Ad.
ans was himself wanting in any of those
high qualifications and upright ard patriot.
&c intentions which were suited to the Of.
fee. OF that extraordinary Gan, of rare
and varied attainmeuts, whatever diversity
OF opinion may exist as to bis recent course
IL the House Of Representatives, land can.
5or oblIges me 10 say that there are some
hings 10 it which deeply regres,) it is
With no less truth than pleasure, declare
hat, during the whole period Of his admin.
stration, annoyed, assailed, and assaulted
IS i. was, no man could have shown more
devoted attachment 10 the Union, and all
Is great interests; a more ardent desire
althlully TO discharge his whole duty, or
brought to his aid more useful experience
nd knowledge than he did. never trans.
cted business with any man, in my life,
7lth more ease, satisfaction and advantage,
han did with that most able and indefati.
able gentleman, as President of the Uni.
ID States. Aud | will add that more har.
lony never prevailed in any Cabinet than
! his.
But my error in accepting the office,
rose CIT of my undertaking the power Of
etraction, and the force of ignorance, and
odIng, with too sure confidence in tho
onsclous integrity and uprightness Of my
wn motives. OF that ignorance, | had
smarkable and laughab!e example on an
ccaslon which will relate. was trav.
ling in 1923, through, believe 1t was,
county, in Virginia, on my
eturn to Washington, in company with
ome young friends. We halted at night
/ tavern KEEP, by an aged gentleman,
no quickly perceived, from the disorder
nd confusion which reigned, had no. the
appiness to have wife. After hurried
I'd bad supper, the old gentleman sat down
, me, and without hearing my name. but
thar was from Kentucky,
marked that he had four sons in that
ate, and that he was very sorry they
ere divided in politics. two being for Ad.
ms and two for jackson; he wished they
ere all for jackson. Why asked him.
ecause, he said that fellow Clay and Ad.
ms had cheated Jackson out of the Presi.
sncy. Have you ever seen any evidence,
" old, friend, said |, Of hiatt No he re-
led, none. and be wanted to see none
ut I observed, looking him directly aad
eadly in tho face, suppose MIR. Clay
ere to come here and assure you, upon
is honor, that is was vile calumny, and
Of word Of truth 10 it, would you believe
i'm! No, replied the old gentleman
ronspily and emphaticnlly. said to him,
conclusion, will you be good enough TO
low me 10 bed, and bid him good night.
he next morning, having in the interval
arnt my name, he came to me full of apsi.
,ies, but at once put him at his ease by
suring him that did not feel in the
ighlest degree hurt or offended with him.
Mr.. President, have been accused of
nhiiion, often accused of ambition. be-
Eve, however, that my accusers will DO
,nerally found to be political opponents or
10 friends Of aspiraois in whose way was
$500 4, : z,... , o nd ~ M q 9 thouuht thare.