Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1842-05-17

10 communicate these freely to the peo.
pie has been with me a neverfailng pur-
Pose, and ] allow myselflo hope, Il is one
which has been successfully attained with
all who are disposed 10 Judge me fairly.
That being done, | am, as have always
been, perfectly content TO leave the fnal
decision of public opinion in the hands
OF those who never fail in the end to rem.
der a just and decisive verdict, and will
content myself with the simple assurace,
that the great principles thus proclaimed
aud acted upon by me are unchanged and
unchangoable. The act Of those in who's
hands the power Of the Federal Govern
ment has subsequently devolved, and the
consequences that have followed, are be-
fore the same great tribunal, to whose de-
cisOn prefer they should be submitted
without any comments of mine, anxious
only that the gleat benefits and blessings
so literally promised from the desired
change may be fully realised by my fsl-
low.clizens. In the course have thus
far pursued, it is my desire to continue to
the end ofny journey.
1t cannot however, trust, be consider.
ed departure from the line | have thus
marked out for myself, should embrace
this occasion 10 pay passing tribute of
IjusIioa, as well as of affection, TO the il.
iuslrious citizen, now enjoying the repose
Of we'll spent life in the bosom of your
fertile and beautiful State. To him more
than 10 any other man living, is owing
The successful progress aud ultimate re-
establishment OF those great principles by
which nv administration of the Govern
ment was directed, and an adherence TO
which has drawn from you such unquali-
fed appreciation. To his integrity, firm
ness; aud perseverance, joined to a civil
courage equal to that he has so of.
ten displayed in the field of battle, more
than TO any man living, for the main,en-
ance of the national rights and honor,
will the people Of the Uniled States be
indebted for the final overthrow Of false,
and the permanent re-establishment of
true principles of liberty, tassed on the
durable foundation Of the Constitution
My own efforts while in the Executive
chair, we're in great measure directed
to lAaintaIn the important positions he oc
ouped on his retirement from public life
and the result is known TO the world.
lreciprocate most cordially and sin.
cereIy gentlemen, your congratulations
on the concurring results in every quar-
ter Of the Union, so clearly indicating that
the late struggle though appearantly sue
cesSiul on the part Of the opponents Of
our principles, appears only TO have paved
the way for their speedy and enduring
triumph. The people Of the United
States are as patriotic and decid5d in
their action, as they are Sagacious in Oh.
servation, and the great mass of all par
ties aim only at the general good. The
pride of opinion and the force of pref.
udice can do much, and it is impossible,
they can long continue to blind them To
the mischieGs, Of those political errors, or
iginating in false principles, now 50 clear
ly demonstrated in the consequences
they have produced. Experience and
reason, those safe and unerring guides
are now steadily performing their des-
tined work, in prOiucing quiet revo!u-
ton, noiseIess in IFS steps but swift in its
prOgress-unlcUmpanicd by any other ex.
Ciiement than the warmth oE conviction
and the force Of truth.
Next TO the benefits which must al
ways end inevitably result from the tr.
umph Of truth over error, will bo the
qualification which every friend OF hu.
man rights, aud OfthOse who have been
their most successful champions, must
feel in reAecting that it has occurred in
the lifetime Of him who first placed him.
self foremost in the contest, and has done
most in achieving the victory; that it oc.
ours while his mental faculties are, as il
is my happiness 10 find them, yet unim-
paired by tins or disease; his feelings
still paT,aking in all the warmth aud vigor
of youth, bis patriotism as ardent as when
he so freely rlsked his life in the service
Of his country, aud bis attachment to lib.
erty as strong as when his reputation was
S'Aked in IFS defence; that it has come in
season to confirm that generous reliance
on the virtue and intelligence Of the peo.
pie which has ever been the basis Of his
political ere ed and course, and to close
with feelings Of enViable satisfaction a
long routine of public services which will
forever place his name high among the
most illustrious patriots Of past and future
times.
The public dinner which you have 30
kin dly rendered 10 me, you must permit
me eto decline. Without in the least
that there are occasions on. which
Of that character are not on. !
ly proper but desirable; and without de.
signing TO question the propriety Of diff
ferent course when pursued by others, | I
have through life preferred to meet my
friends in the less Geremonious and more
generally acceptable way in which it has q
been nv happiness 10 receive the Urcet.