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

TO me When, under that Of his success.
scr, Mr.. Monroe, was first imporiuned az
no one knows better than that sterling old
patriot, Jonathan Roberts, now threatened
as the pagers tell US, with expulsion from az
office, which was never filled with more
honesty and uprighlness, because he de
clines TO be suryIle instrument, 10 accept
a Secretaryship, and was afterwards offer,
ed carte blanche Of all the foreign mis-
sionsl AT the epoch Of the election o.
1895. believe no one doubted at Wash.
ington, that If | had felt it my duty 10 vote
for Gen. Jackson, he would have invited
me to take charge Of Department, And
such undoubtedly Mr.. Crawford would have
done, if he had been elected. W hen the
Harrisburg Convention assembled, the gen
eral expectation was that the nomination
would be given to the lauented Harrison.
Did exhibit extraordinary ambition when,
cheerfully acquiescing, | threw myself into
the canvass and made every exeriion in my
power TO insure IT SUGGEST Was Il eyi
dence OF uachastened ambition in me to re-
sign, as recently did my seat in the Sen.
ate--to resign the Dictatorship, with which
my enemies had so kindly Invested me, and
come home to the quiet walks Of private
lifel
Bu, am ambitious because some of my
countrymen have seen fit to associate my
name with the succession for the Presiden.
tial office. Do those who prefer the charge
know what have done, or not done, 10 con.
nectlon with that object Have they given
themselves the trouble to enquire at oil in
to any agency Of mine in respect to 1t /
believe not. II is subject which | ap.
preach with all the delicacy which belongs
to il, and with q due regard 10 the dignity
of the exalted station; but on which | shall
at lbe same time, speak 10 you, my friends
and neighbors, without reserve, and With
the utmost candor.
have prompted none Of those move.
ments among the people, Of which We have
seen accounts. As far as am concerned,
they are altogether spontaneous, and not on
ly without concert with me, but most gene
rally without any sort of praHous knoHl
edge on ny part. That am thankful and
grateiul-profoundiy grateful--for these
manifestations of confidence aud attach
meni, viii not conceal nor deny. But
have been, and mean to remain, passive,
If not al indifferent spectator. have
reached time of life, and seen enough OF
high fficial stations to enable me Justly to
appreciate their value, their cares, their
responsibilities, their ceaseless duties
That estimate Of their worth, 10 personal
point of view, would restrain me from seek
ing to Gil any one, the highest OF them, ID
a scramble of 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 coun
try, TO the highest Office within their gut,
| shall not deny; nor, ii my health were
preserved, might feel at liberty TO decline
a summons SO authoritative and command
ing. But | declare most solemnly, that
have not, up TO this moment, determined
whether | will consent to the use Of my
name or not as a candidate for the Chief
Mag,stracy. Tlis ls a grave question,
which should be decided BY all atia.ndble
lights, which, think, IS no. necessary yet
10 be decided, and decision Of which re.
serve to myself, as far as can reserve 1t,
until the period arrives when It ought to be
solved. That period has not as think,
yet arrived. When /. does, an impartial
survey OF the whole ground should be taken,
the state OF pubic opinion properly con,
sidered, and oue's personal conditions,
physical and intellectual, duly examined
aud weighed. Inthus announcing course
Of conduct for myself, it IS hardly necessa.
~ TO remark that It is no part of my pur.
pose TO condemn or express any opinions
whatever upon those popular movements
which have been made, or may be contem
plated, 10 respect to the ncrt election OF a
Presden. Of The United S!stes.
II to have served my country, during q
long series Of years, with fervent zeal aud
mistaken fidelity, in seasons of peace and
war, at home and abroad, 10 the Legisa
tive Halls and 10 an Executive Department,
If to have labored mos, sedu!ously to aver,
the embarrassment and distress which now
overspread this Union; and when they
came, to have exerted myself anxiousy,
al the Extra Session, and at this, TO devise
healing remedies; if TO have desired 10 IN.
troduce economy and reform in the general
administration, curiall enormous Executive
power, and amply provide, al The same time
for the wants of The Government and the
wants ofthe People by Tar.f which would
give If revenue aud them protection if TO
have earnestly gou.ht 10 establish the
bright but too rare example of party 10
power, faithful 10 its promises and pledges
made when Out Of power-if these services,
exertions and endeavors justify The accuse
lion Of ambition, | must plead gully to lhe
charge.
have wished the good opinion of the
world; but | defy The most malignant Of
my enemies to show that have attempted
TO gain it by any low or groyelling arts, by
any mean or unworthy sacrifices, by the
violation Of any Of The obligations Of honor
or by breach of any Of the duties which
owed TO my coualry.
turn, Sir, from these personal illusions
and "reminiscences, to the vastly mofsria-
portani subject Of the present actual condl-
ton Of this country, II they could ever be
IustIliable or egcusable. IL would be on such