Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-08-06

ted States not having been reportod,) my
reasons for that change, and they are pre-
served in the archives Of the country. ]
appeal to that record; and am willing to
be Judged now and hereafter by their vail
dity.
do not advert TO the fact of this soil
tary instance of change of opinion as i'm
plying any personal merit but because it
is fact. will, however, say that think
it very perilous to the utility of any public
man to make frequent changes of opinion,
or any change, but upon grounds SO sufii-
cicnt and palpable that the public can
clearly see and approve them. IF we could
look through a window into the human
breast, and there discover the causes which
lead to changes Of opinion, they might be
made without hazard But as it is inposs-
bic TO penetrate the human heart, and dis
tinguish between the sinister and honest
motives which prompt it, any public man
that changes his opinion, once deliberately
formed and promulgated, under other cir
cumstances than those which have stated,
draws around him distrust, impairs the
public confidence, and lessons his capacity
to serve his country.
v, l
am, and have been long satisfied, that it
would have been wiser and more polite
in me to have declined accepting the Office
of Secretary Of State in 1925. Not that
my motives were not as pure and as;patri-
otto as ever carried any man into public
oifice-not that the calumny which was
applied to the fact was not as gross and as
unfounded as any that was ever propaga-
ted. Here somebody cried out that Mr..
Carter Beverly, who had been made the
organ of announcing it, had recently borne
testimony to its being unfoundcd. Mr..
Clay said it was true that he had vo!un-
tarily borne such testimony. But, with
great earncstness and emphasis, Mr.. Clay
said, | want no testimony: herc-here-
nERE-Qepeatedly touching his heart,
amidst tremendous cheers)--here is the
best of all witnesses of my innocence. !
Not that valued friends and highly cs-
tcemed opponents did not unite in III ging
my acceptance of the office; not that the
administration of Mr.. Adams will not, !
sincerely believe, advantageously compare
with that Of any of his predecessors, i'll
economy, purity, prudence and wisd0m
not that Mr.. Adams was himself wanting
in any of those high qualifications and up
right and patriotic intentions which were
suited to the office. OF that extraordinary
man, of rare and varied attainments, what
ever diversity of opinion may exist as {,
his recent course in the House Of Repre-
sentatives, (and candor obliges me to say
that there are some things in it which
deeply regret,) it is with no less truth anc
pleasure that declare, that during the
whole period of his administration, an
noyed, assailed and assaulted as it was
no man could have shown a more devoted
attachment TO the Union and all its grea
interests: moro ardent desire faithfully
to discharge his whole duty, or brough
to his aid more useful experience anc
knowledge than he did. never transacte,
business with any man in my life witt
more ease, satisfaction and advantage thar
did with that most able and indefatigabl,
gentlman, as President of the Unite,
States. And will add that more harmon,
never prevailed in any Cabinet than in his
But my error, in accepting the office
arose out of my undertaking the power o
detraction and the force Of ignorance, an,
abiding, with too sure confidence in th
conscious integrity and uprightness of my
own motives. Of that ignorance, | had 8
remarkable and laughabo example on ar
occasion which viii relate. ] was trav
cling, in 1928, through, / believe it wa:
Spottsylvania in Virginia, on my return t
Washington, in company with some youn
friends. We halted at night at i taverr
kept by an aged gentleman, who, quickl
perceived, from the disorder and confi
sion which roigned, had not the happines
to have a wife. After hurried and 5a,
supper, tho old gentleman sat down by me
and without hearing my name, but under
standing that was from Kentucky, re
marked that he had four sons in that State
and that he was very sorry they were di
vided in politics, two being for Adams an
two for Jackson: he wished they were al
for jackson. Why! | asked him. BE
cause, he said, that fellow Clay. and Al
ans, had cheated jackson out Of the Pres
dency. Have you ever seen any evidence
my old friend, said |, Of that! No, he RI
piled none, and he wanted to see non,
: But, | observed. looking him directly an
steadily in the face, suppose Mr.. Cha
were to come here AMI assure You, upo
his honor, that it was all vile calumn,
and not word of truth in it, would yo
believe him? No, replied the old gentle
: man promptly aud cmphaticaliy. sal
TO him, in conclusion, will you be goo
; enough TO show me to bed, and bid hi
good night. The next morning, havin
in the interval learnt my name, he can
to me full of apologies, but at once PIT
him at his ease by assuring him that ] di
,, not feel in the slightest degree offended {
: hurt with him.