New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-07-01

bid him good night. The next morning. having
in the interval learnt NY name, be came to me
full OF apologies. but at once put kim at his ease
1v assuring his tina, did 10; feel IN the slightest
drcree hurt or offended with him.
Mr.. President | have been accused Of ambition
often accused OF ambition. | believe, however
that nv accu,ers viii be generally found to be Po-
,ical opponents Or the friends OF ssprants IN
whose way va, supposed TO stand and It was
thought therefore. necessary to shove ne aside
DEFY my cnemie. 10 point ont my act Or Instance
of nv life. in which have sought the attainment
Of office by di.honorabe or unworthy mean' Did
display inordina,e ambition when, under he al
rnni.tration of Hr. MADIsoS, declined a ioTeisn
mission OF the first grade. and al Executive De-
partment. both of which he successfully kindly
rendered TO me When. under that 81 bis sue
ce,sor, Mr. NoSRoE, | was trst imporiuned as
40 one know. better than that sterling old patriot
JoSaTHAs RoBErrs, now threatened, as the papers
tell vs. with expulsion from Office which was
never filed with more honesty and uprlghtness,
because he declines 20 - servile iRstrument) 10
ACCEPT Secretaryship, and was afterwards offered
, cayts blanche Of all the Foreign missions At
the epoch Of tie election OF 1870, l believe NJ
orc doubted al VA shincton that, if bad felt 1t
rsy duty To vote for Gen. JACKSON, he would have
invited me to take charge Of a Department.
And such undoubtedly Mr. CRAWFORD would have
lone. il he had been elected When the Harris
bur. Convention assembled, the general expecta-
ton was that the nomination would be gwen to
ne. 1t wa given 10 the lsmsn.cd HARRISON
Did exhibit extraordinary ambition when, cheer
fully acq,escing. threw myself into the canvass
and made every exsrtion in my power to insure IL
-uccess' Was it evidence Of unchastened aubi-
ton in me to resign, n. ] recently did, my seat IN
the Senatc-ro resign the Dictatorship, with which
INV snene. lad 40 kindly invested me, and come
honc 10 the quiet walks of private life
But am ambitious because some OF my coun-
rrymcn have seen III to associate my name with
the succession Tor the Presidential Office. Do
those who prefer the charge know what | have
Done or not done. i. connection with that object
Have they given themselves the trouble TO inquire
at ali into apv agency of mine in respect to 1t
believe not 1t il subjec; which approach
with all the aelicacy which belong. to it, ard with
dne regard to tine dignity of the exalted station ;
Lat on which shall, at tho same time speak to
YOU, my friends and neighbors, without reserve,
and with the utmost candor
| have prompted none Of those movements
among the people of which we have seen accounts
\. tar a. | nm concerned, they are altogether
spontaneous, and not only without concert with
me- but most generally without any sort OF Previ-
Gus knowledge on my part. That am thankful
and graietul-profoundy grateiul-tor those mani
fcstation. Of confidence and attachment, will not
conceal nor deny But have been and mean to
remain passive, il not Indifferent spectator.
have reached time of life, and seen enough Of
high official stations to enable me justly to appre-
cia,c their value their cares their responsibilities,
their ceasce.s duties. That estimate Of their
WORTH in personal point OF view, would restrain
me from seeking TO fill my one the highcst Of
them in q scramble. of doubtful issue with paliti'
cal opponents, much less with political fhends.-
That should feel greatly bonored by call from
a majority Of the People Of this country to the
highest office within their gift, shall not deny
nor, if my health were preserved. might feel nt
liberty TO decline a summons 50 authoritative and
commanding But declare, most solcmnly, that
have not, up to this moment, determined wheth-
or will consent TO the use OF my name or not as
A cand date for the Chief Magistracy. That is n
crave question which should be decided by a !
srtainable lights, which, think IL not necessary
vet to b. decided, and decision OF which l re-
serve 70 myself, far as can reserve H. until the
period arrives when it ought to he solved. hat
period has not, as think, yet arrived. Wh@n II
doe.. an impartial survey OF tbs whole ground
should be taken the state OF public opinion pro-
| perry considered, and ones personal condition.
physical and intellectual, duly examined and
weighed. In thus announcin. course OF conduct
tor myself it is hardly necessary to remark that II
is no part of my purpose to condemns or express
any opinion whatever upon those popular move
ments which have been made, or may be csntcm-
plated in respect to the next election Of Prcsi-
dent of the United States.
If 10 have served my country, during a long Sc
res Of wears with crvcnt zeal and mistaken hdel-
itv. in seasons OF peace and war, al home and
abroad in the Legislative Halls and in an Execu-
tive Departmental TO have labored most sedu-
lousl, 10 avert the embarrassment and distress
which now over.prcad this Union and when they
came, TO have excrted myself snxiously, at the
Extra Session and At this, to devise healing rene
dies; If To have desired to introduce economy and
reform in the general administration, curtai esor-
nous Executive power, and amply provide, AZ the
zane time. for the wants of the Government and
the wants of the People BY Tariff which would
give it revenue and them protection; if to have
earnestly sought to establish the bright but too
rare example of party in power, faithful TO its
promises and pledges made when on, Of power
/ if these services. sxertons and endeavors justify
the accusation of ambition, | must plead guilty to
the charge.
have wished the good opinion OF the world
but defy the most malignant of my enemies tc
show that have attempted to gain it by any low
or groveng arts, by any mean or unworthy sacri
ices. by the violation Of any Of the obligations o.
honor, or BY breach Of any Of the duties which
owed 10 my country.
! turn, Sir, from these personal illusions and re-
miaiscences, to the vastly more important SUBJECT
of the present actual condition Of this country. II
they could ever BE- justifsble excu.abe, 1t would
be on suck an occasion As this, when am address
ing those to whom am bound by so many intima,s
and friendly ties.
In speaking of the present state of the country
it will be necessary fer me to touch with freedom
and independence upon the pst as well as the