Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-07-21

~ beticve, advantageously compare with tina
OF any of his predecessors, in economy, purity
prudence and wisdom Not that Mr.. Adam.
was himself wanting in any of those higl
qualifications and upright and patriotic inten
tons which were suited to the office. OF tina
extraordinary man, Of rare and varied attair
ments, whatever diversity Of opinion may ex,
list as to his recent course in the House o
Representatives, (and candor obliges me to
say that there are some things In it which
deeply regret,) it is with no less truth than
pleasure, declare, that during the whole pc
Rod OF his administration, annoyed, assaled
and assaulted as it was, no man could have
shown more devoted attachment to the I'm
ION, aud all its great interests, or a more ar.
dent desire faithfully to discharge his whole
duty, or brought to his aid more useful expe-
rience and knowledge than he did. never
transacted business with any man, in my life,
with more ease, satisfaction and advantage
than did with that most able ant indefatiga-
F, BILE gentleman, us President of the United
States. And will add, that more harmony
never prevailed in any Cabinet than in his.
| But my error in accepting the office, arose
out of my undertaking the power of detraction
and the force Of ignorance, and abiding with
too sure confidence i'll the conscious integri-
ty and uprightness of my own motives. Of
that ignorance, had u remarkable and laugha-
BILE example on an occasion which | will re-
late. Twas travelling in 1928, through, be-
leve 1t was Spottsylvana county in Virginia,
on my return to Washington, in company
with some young friends. We halted night
at a tavern, kept by an aged gentleman, who
] quickly perceived, from the disorderand con-
fusion which reigned, had not the happiness
to have u wife. After hurried and bad sun
per- the old gentleman sat down by me, and
without hearing my name, but understanding
that was from Kentucky, remarked that he
had four sons in that State. and that he was
very sorry they were divided in politics, two
being for Adams and two for Jackson: he
wished they were all for Jackson. Why? !
asked him. Because, he said, that fellow Claw
and Adams had cheated Jackson out of the
Presidency. Have you ever seen any evidences
my old friend, said ], of that' No, he replied;
none, and he wanted to see none But, / OBJ.
served, looking him directly and steadily in the
face, suppose Mr. Clay were to come here and
assure you, upon his honor, that it was all n
vile calumny, aud not word of truth i'm it.
would you believe him. No, replied the old
gentleman promptly and emphaticallv. said
to HIM III conclusion, will you be good enough
to show me the way to bed, and babe him
good night! The next morning, having in the
interval learnt my name, he came to me full of
apologies, but at once put him at his ease by
| ACQUIRING hin, .i,.s ifu not IeeI IN me Slit
est degree hurt or offended with him.
MIR. President, have been accused of am
bitioD. often accused of ambition. i believe,
however, that my accusers will be generally
found to be political opponents, or the friends
OF aspirants i'll whose way was supposed to
stand, and it was thought therefore necessary
to shove me aside. defy my enemies TO
point out any act or instance of my life, in
which have sought the attainment of office
by dishonOrabie or unworthy means. Did |
display inordinate ambition when, under the
! administration Of MIR. Madison, declined for
eign mission of the first grade, and an Execu-
tive Department, both of which he successive
ly kindly rendered to me? When Under that
! of his successor, Mr.. Monroe, was first i'm
portuned las no one knows better than thatsterl-
ing old patriot, Jonathan Roberts, now threaten
ed, as the papers tell us, with expulsion from an
Office which was never filled with more hon
esty and uprightness, because he declines to
be a servile lnstrument,) to accept a Secretary
ship, and was afterwards offered a carte blanche
OF all the Foreign missions? At the epoch of
! the election OF 1925, believe no one doubted
at Washington that, if ] had felt it my duty
to vote for Gen. Jackson, he would have in
vlted me to take charge of a Department And
such undoubtedly Mr.. Crawford would have
done, if he had been elected. When the HAIR
risburg Convention assembledthc general sx-
pectation was that the nomination would be
given to me. 1t was given to the lamented
Harrison. Did exhibit extraordinary ambi-
ton when, cheerfuly acquescing, threw my
self into the canvass and made every exertion
in my power to insure it success (? Was it evil
dence of unchastened ambition in me TO resign
as recently did, my seat in the Senate-tc
resign the Dictatorship, with which my enc
mics had SO kindly invested me, and come
home to the quiet walks Of private life?
i But am ambitious, because some of my
+ countrymen have seen fit to associate nv name
with the succession Tor the Presidential office
) Do those who prefer the charge know what
| have done, or not done, In connection witt
that objectS Have they given themselves tn,
trouble to enquire at all into any agency o
mine in respect to it believe not 1t is ,
$ subject which Approach with all the delica
: cy which belongs to it, and with due REGARD
e to the dignity of the exalted station but OF
which j shall, at the same time, speak to you
my friendsa and neighbors; without reserve, ant
with the utmost candor.
t | have prompted none Of those movement
t among the people, Of which we have seen &C
c counts. As far as | ain concerned. thew ar
: altogether spontaneous, and not only withou
S concert with me, but Most generally withou
= any sort of previous knowledge on nv par
G That am thankful-profoundly gratefuI-Co
, tbesc manifestations oc co,,c,Ie,oto - =,