Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-07-14

ter hurried and bad supper, the old gen.
tleman sat down by me, and without hear.
ing 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 Jack
son ; he wished they were all for Jackson.
Why asked him. Because, said he,
that fellow Clay and Adams had cheated
Jackson out Of the Pr, sidency. Have
you ever seen any evidence, my old friend,
said |, Of ihar7 No, he replied, and he
wanted to see none. But, | observed,
looking him directly and steadily in the
face, suppose Mr.. Clay were to come here
and assure you, upon his honor, that it
wus all vile calumny, and no. word Of
truth in it, would you believe him? No,
replied the old gentleman, promptly and
emphaticnlly. said to him, in conclu-
sion, will you be good enough to show me
to bed, and bid 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 as
surfing him that did no, feel in the slight.
est degree hurt, or offended with him.
Mr.. President, have been accused OF
ambition, often accused OF ambition. !
believe, however, that my nccusers will
be generally found to be political opPo.
nents, or the friends Of aspirants, in whose
way was supposed to stand, and it was
thought necessary to shove me aside. |
defy my enemies to point out any act or
instance Of my life, in which sought the
attainment Of Office by dishonorable OF un
worthy means. Did display inordinate
ambition when, under the administration
oil MIR. MADISON, declined foreign mis-
sion of the first grade, and an Executive
Department, both Of which he successive
ly kindly rendered to me When, under
that of his successor, Mr.. MONROE, was
first importuned Gas no one knows better
than that sterling old patriot, JONATHAN
RoBERTs, now threatened, as the papers
tell US, with expulsion from an Office
which was never filled with more honesty
and uprightness, because he declines 10
be a servle instrument 10 accept Sec
retaryship, and was afterwards offered a
carte blanche Of all the Foreign missions 7
At the epoch of the election of 1928, be-
ieve no one doubted at Washington that,
if had felt il my duty to vote for Gen.
JACKSON, he would have invited me To
TAKE charge of a Department. And such
undoubtedly Mr.. CRAWFORD would have
done, if he had been elected. When the
Harrisburg Convention had assembled,
the general expectation was that the nom.
nation would be given to me. 1t was gi-
ven to the lalnented HARRISON. Did ex-
bibit extraordinary ambition when, cheer
fully acquiescing, threw myself into the
canvass and made every exertlon in my
power to insure it SUGGEST Was il evi-
dcnce Of unchastened ambition in mo to
resign, as recently did, my. seat in the
Senate-to resign the Dictatorship, with
which my enemies had so kindly invested
me, and come home to the quiet walks Of
private life f?
But am ambitious because some Of
my countrymen have seen tit to associate
my name with the succession for the Pre-
office. Do those who prefer the
charge know what have done, or not
done, in connection with that object p
Have they given themselves the trouble
to enquire at all into any agency Of mine
in respect to it? believe not. 1t is
subject which approach with all the del
icacy which belongs to it, and with due
regard to the dignity of the exalted sta.
ton but on which shall, at tho same
time. speak TO you, my friends and neigh
bors, without reserve, and with the ut
most candor.
have prompted none Of thoss move
men,s among the people, of which we
have seen accounts. AS far as am con.
cerned, they are altogether spontaneous,
and not only without concert with me,
but most generally without any sort OF
previous knowledge on my part. That J
am thankful and grateiul-proioundly
gratelul-for those mantle stations Of con-
fdence and attachment, will not conceal
nor deny. But have been, and mean
to remain, a passive, If not indifferent
spectator. have reached time of life,
and seen enough Of high official stations
TO enable me justly TO appreciate their
value, their cares, their responsibilities,
their ceaseless duties. That estimate of
their worth, in personal point OF view,
would restrain me from seeking to fill any
one, the highest Of them, in scramble oi
doubtful issue, with political opponents,
much less with political friends. That |
should feel greatly honored 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
might feel at liberty to de.
cline summons so authoritative and
But declare most solemn
ly, that have not. up to this moment, dc.
termined whether will consent to the
use Of my name or rot as candidate for
the Chief Magstracy. That is grave
question, which should be decided by oil
attainable lights, which, | think, is not
necessary yet TO be decided, and deci-
sion of which reserve TO myself, as far
as can reserve il, until the period arrives
when ii ought to be solved. That period
has not, as think, yet arrived. When
il does, an impartial survey Of the whole
ground should be taken, the state OF pub.
lie opinion properly considered, and ones
condition, physical and intellec-
lual, duly examined and weighed. In
thus announcing a course of conduct Tor