Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-08-18
To THE EpIroR OF THE wHre.

To THE EpIroR OF THE wHIG.
By whatever means he has attained it--though
OF these the public know little, they may be rre-
sumed to care less-whether 10y love powders, the
amiabiy OF his temper and passions, the natural SUI
perioriiy OF a stronger mind over a weaker, or by
aattery and adula,on, the old and beaten road by
which the affections Of princes are reached; one
thing, MIR Editor, appears conclusively and un-
deniabIy certain, that MIR Henry A. Wise has
acquired an entire and absolute ascendency over
Captain John Tyler" No favorite OF whom
history makes mention, appears TO have pos.
sessed more uncontrolled power in the exercise OF
public affairs, as unquestionably no King who over
had fsvorite has been made by him to exhibit n
series of as odious public conduct, and degrading
personal weakness, Inconsistency and fasehood.
Mr. Wisc's ascendeney at Court, is not merely
matter Of general noorety, believed by the general
| public, and the Washington community, and all
who have the best opportunity Of judging, but is
| also o matter OF strict logical deduction. His
oracuar revelations the floor of Congress as 10
the pending action of the President, have not only
always been followed 10y fulflmsnt, thus proving at
least secret and extra official acquaintance with
Presidential Intentions knowledge of self-which
strongly prssupposes controlling personal infu-
ence-but the Captain has marked time in every
OF regeneration with his favoritc. That favo-
rite, for motives which he has never found it con.
venien. to explain, but which the public will ur-
ders,and nevertheless, is abusive Of Mr. Clay
as little two years ago he was eulogisiic, MIR Cay
as Statesman and public agent maintaining the
while. as he has done for thirty years, identicsly
the same public opinions. lie is now, however, in
the eyes Of that favori,e who himself dictates to his
ridiculous puppet, n Dictator. He has likewise
become in the eyes OF the same paragon OF consiss
tency FtdsraliSi, the himself having been
| bred in the doctrines OF the Old Federal School,
and maintained them too, until he found il conve-
nent to the faith OF his fathers he has
successfully renowned as far as know or believe,
every political opinion which he maintained at any
time previous to the death OF Gen. Harrison.
But why multiply nstances7 Why point out the
circumstances which proclaim MIR Wise's unqua-
| fed authority over the weak mind Of John Tyler,
and establish, 10y induction, the fact that the favoriie
is the secret spting which regulates the whole ma.
| chine1 Why attempt TO prove what is known and
acknowledged OF all? TicO principles have GO
verned the conduct Of both prince and favorite:
| fierce hatred of Henry Clay, and a silly jealousy OF
his towering superioriiy-ond as fierce and silly
a determination TO procure the second election Of
the contemplate puppet who has not the capacity
to perceive what an ass he has made OF himself, nor
the penetration to discover the unbounded abhor-
renee with which he is universally regarded. To
these two prncipes-ihe first infused into the Cap
ain's mind by MIR Wise-the last found by him
there, and carefully nourished the instrument OF
governing act of folly, perfdy, ingrntilude
Ill
tons in the use and abuse of the public patronage,
all that has brought upon this Administration that
unparalleled amour, Of scorn and hatred which a.
tnches 10 il, may undoubtedly he traced. Tina. TO
the rash councils and unregua,ed passions Of Mr.
WISE Mr. Tyler is indebted for his present painful
and humiliating position no man will hesitate to
believe, who is endowed with the reasoning faculty
That the end will he most unhappy, where the
motive has been so unworthy-that the substitution
OF personal schemes of selfish ambition for patriotic
ends will be ssnally punished by an indignant and
oppressed couniry-that designs OF impious origin,
to he accomplished by mourning the guilt OF the
blacklist trenchcry, the viest ingratiiude, and at
tempting arbitrary power, will perish in their ineep
ton, and oyerwhelm the contriver in their runs-let
them doubt, who doubt that the word is under
unerring moral government from on high
But passing over these matters, and the dreadful
consequences with which the misrule of the time is
Taught, TO the American Peoplelet me, MIR Editor,
call your attention to the political prodigy which
for the FIRST time has appeared in our country. All
nations in turn have been scourged by h-but the
United States Of America for the first time, sroan
under the DOMINION OF A FAVOR1TE. The
fac, is not less novel, than grating to pride, de-
a. l.a
proved already Of our happiness and prosperity,
nation The voice Of the Legislature, representing
the will Of the States AMI the People, is powerless.
The People themselves, unrepresenIed in Presi-
dent whom they never elected and deprived o. their
righlfuI control over the Government, 10y the Exc
eutvs contempt OF their Representatives, and his
habitual exercise Of the Veto, are doomed to see
their interests trampled under foot, their wishes
despiseJ, their sovereignty condemned. Even the
heads Of Department tsave possibly ons) are IN
derstood 10 have not the smallest influence in form
ing Executive opinion, OF in shaping Executive
action. One man, Il man no can DO called, dictates
legislation, and has proceeded to enforce the
collection Of by his own will, and TO render
the CALLING reflection as bitter possible, that man
himself is O wsxsn nose in the hands Of fiyoriie-
favorite unsolicited by the People, irresponsible 10
them in any Executive trust, and devoid Of stability,
experience, prudence, or political wisdom.
! Is this picture ovsrehnrged7 Does any man ques.
ton the supremacy Of Mr. Henry Wise Does any
doubt the fact Of his practical exercise Of the
Presidential functions Is there any so weak Of
faith as to reject the belief that his spirit has guided
the Presidential councils ond that in his passions is
| TO 10 found the exponent Of Presidential conduct
To this, then, we have come at lasI-To THE SWAT
OF 4 FAvoRIrE! II, as Mr. Randolph said, the Govern
menl Of the Pelticou, was the most mischsvous, and
Of the Priest the most dangerous, it may as justly
lie added that the rule Of the iayorile is the most
Illuminating. FAvoEITEs, says Mr. Hume, were al.
ways particularly odious TO the People Of England,
and the reason s most honorable to them. IL is be
cause from the time Of Piers Galveston, they have
had tie intelligence 10 perceive that favortes weak.
ened and relaxed the proper responsibility Of their
rulers while their own freedom from responsibility
invited them 10 the commission OF every species Of
proagacy, and the spirit to spurn the aiuery and
deoei. by which the Gaves,ons, the Cars, tic Duck
inghsms, the S.rafIords, the Mashams, and the
Bu,es acquired command Of the royal car But
Mr Hume might have extended his remark to oil
nations for the hatred Of royal avorles springs from
causes every where the same, and every where i'm
mutSblc. None but a weak Prince ever had "a.
| ,nI he. H. -