Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-03-19
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT TYLER
READ AT THE PHILADELPHIA
DINNER
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 1912.

IL.
WASHINGTON, Feb 10, 1912.
GENrLEMEN:--It would afford me the
most unqualified pleasure, could avail my
self of your polite invitation to be present
with you on the Anniversary of the Birth
day of the most iustrous Man and de-
voted Patriot who has ever lived Sin all the
tide Of tme;" but this is denied me by the
constant pressure of public duty. The OK.
ample of George Washington, rendered
glorious by the devotion of all his facul-
ties-mental and physical-to the good
of his country, stands in bold contrast with
those whose names have found place in
history. as connected with great talents
directed TO no other end than the advance
ment of their own petty and selfish schemes
of ambition. should like, in the company
Of "my friends" to recall the recollection
of his praise worthy deeds--to dwell upon
the incidents of his useful llfc--to repeat
the lessons of wisdom and truth embodied
in his farewell address--and 10 take, with
each of you, the pledge to maintain the
Union Of these States, sacred and inviola-
bic, as the most acceptable MODS of doing
honor to the memory of the Father of
his Country, and discharging the high debt
which each and all of US owe to ourselves
and to our posterily.
For the kind regard which you express
for me, accept the tribute Of my sincere
thanks. Your approval of my past polit-
ical course--directed as it has been to the
faithful discharge Of my duty, will not fail
to animate me in all that remains of the
future. That entered upon the Presiden-
tlal office under circumstances of great en-
barrassment must have been obvious to all.
For the first time in our history, upon the
happening of a contingency provided for
in the Constitution, the Vice President sue
ceeded to the Fresidency-and, by dis
pensation of Divine Providence, a new ex-
pertinent upon our Institutions is in the
progress Of trial. A President elected by
the people, comes into office at the head
of triumphant party. His will is, for the
most part, the law which governs his
party. Responsible, under the Constitu-
ton, for the administration ofpublic affairs,
he recommends his measures and adopts
his line Of policy with every assurance of
support. Not SO, however, with Vice
President, who succeeds to the Presidency
by the demise of the President. His name
has been selected more with reference to
supposed sectional or local. than to general
influence. He has no party at his heels
to sustain his measures, or to aid him in
his exertions for the public good. Instead
of being a leader, he must be follower
of party and he is required either to be a
piece of wax, to be moulded into any shape
that others may please, or denunciations
the loudest and boldest are in store for
him. Has he long cherished opinions
which stand in the way Of party measures
whether those measures be good or bad
wise or the opposite, they must be surren.
dered. Honor, conscience, every Thing es-
teemed sacred among men, must be yield
ed, or the thunders break over his head,
and threaten annihilation. IL is q fit Occa-
sion torMe prevalence Of Faction. and the
reliance of one thus situated can alone be
on the patriotism and discernment of the
people. Such frankly avow is my stead
fast reliance, and every effort of mind and
body compatible with the public institu,
tons, shall be excrted to maintain our in
stitutions under this new and hazardous
experiment.
There are other causes Of great trial and
difficulty ny WHICH inc ADMINISTRATOR j.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and public credit pros
trated-lndusry, in all departments para
lyzed--a treasury deficient in its supplies
a currency broken up and disordered--
and our Foreign Relations perplexcd and
embarrassed. Credit should be restored
industry reanmated-a sound currency
provided through the direct exercise Of con
Stiiuti0nal porCer, and the public peace pre-
served, if the same can be accomplished
without surrender of National Honor
These objects will claim my undivided at
tcntion, and will not permit myself tC
despair of their accomplishment.
| tender to each of you, gentlemen
assurances of my high respect.
JOHN TYLER.
To Samuel Rush, James McHenry, Thoma
$. Smith, and others of the Commit