The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-02-26

winning for himself equal honor in the councils of the
nation.
Hon. Abel p. Upshur.--Maiignant personal enc
mics denounce HIM traitor but patriots honor him
Col. Samuel Miller.-The soldier and gentleman,
brave, frank and unassuming, the people will never
forget his gallant conduct in the battle field the
wounds he received IN defence of his native land
Hon. G. A Wickliffe. -Kentucky owns him with
exultation.
Hon. Hugh S. Legare.-The trust reposed in him
past conduct assures will never be msused
Hon. Walter Forward-Plain, but just Pennsyl-
wanna feels honored by such selection for his present
station from among her
Hon. Daniel Webstel-The ISLANDERS of newspaper
scribbers cannot affect for such man, nor
sulIy the reputation be has
Hon. Henry A. Wise-The uncompromlsing foe
to wrong, the jealous advocate ofright.
Hon. WIN. Sprague-W hen such men with us,
who will be against us !
Hon Francis Maory.-A welcome springs TO meet
him from the hearts of all true men.
Hon. VIM. d. MerIlck-The memory of such men
fourishes in the hearts of their friends, when their
forms have passed away
Robert Tyler, Esq-A worthy son of noble sire.
Hon. J. c. Bates-He seeks not the admiration of
politicians; but the homage of his conscience
Hon. Sandy Harris-Too long retired from public
life, we welcome him again in It's midst.
Dr.. Thomas Dunn EngIsh--Young in years; but
mature IN judgment. His friends love, and his enc
mics respect him.
Dr. John McKelvey-The honest and pro-
found politician Respect is due and ready to
discharge the debt.
Mr.. Rush, after some appropriate remarks, read
letters from President Tyler, and from Mr. UPshur,
Secretary otthe Navy, Mr. Spencer Secretary at War,
and Hon. Henry A. Wise, which follow
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10Th, 1912.
GENTLEMEN 1t would afford me the most unquali-
fed pleasure could avail myself of your polite invi-
tation to be present with you the Anniversary OF
the Birth of the most il ustrious man and devoted pa
trot who has lived sin all The tide of time; bu'
this is denied me by the constant pressure of public
duty. The example of George Washington, render
ed glorious by the devotion of all his faculliesmen
tai and physicalo the good of his country, stands
IN bold contrast with those whose names have found
place IN history, connected with great talents, d.
reced to other end than the advancement of their
own petty and selfish schemes of ambition. l should
like in the company of my friends" to recall the re-
collection of his prasewoItly deeds-to dwell upon
the incidents of his useful liteto repeat the lessons
of wisdom and truth mbodied in his farewell address
and TO take with each of YOU the pledge to main tain
the union of these States sacred and nvolable the
most acceptable mode of doing honor to the memory
ofthe Father Of his Country and dischargng the high
debt which each and all of to ourselves and to
posterity.
For the kind regard which you express for me,
cept the tribute of my sincere thanks Your appro-
val of my past political 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 Presidential office under cir
cumstances of great embarrassment, must have been
obvious to all. For the first time in our history,
upon the happening of contingency provided for in
the Constitution, the Vice President succeeded to the
Presilency-and, by dispensation of Divine Provi-
dence, new experiment 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 Constltu
ton, for the administration of public affairs he re-
commends his measures and adopts his line of policy
with every assurance of support. Not so, however,
with Vice President who succeeds to the Presden-
cy by the demise of the President. His name is
mixed but little with the canvass, and has been Sc
ected more with reference to supposed sectional or
local. than to general influence. He has no party at
heels to sustain his measures, or to aid him IN his
exc tons for the public good. Instead OF being
leader, he must be follower OF party, and he is
qured either to be piece of wax, to be moulded n
to any shape that others may please or denunclatons
the loudest and boldest store Tor him. Has he
long cherished opinions which stand in the way of
party measures, whether those measures be good or
bad, wise the opposite, they must be surrendered
Honor, conscience, every thing esteemed sacred
among men, must be yielded, or the thunders break
over his head, and threaten humiliation. Is fit
occasion for the prevalence of action and the reliance of
one thus situated alone be the patriotism and
discernment of the people. Such frankly avow IS
my steadfast reliance, and every effort of mind and
body compatible with the public institutions shall be
eXerted to maintain institutions under this new
and hazardous experiment
There other causes of great trial and difficulty
by which the Administration is acknowledgements
and public credit prostrated-industry in all its de-
partm nts parayzed-a Treasury deficient in its sup
plies-a currency broken up and disordered-and our
foreign relations perplexed and embarrassed. Credit
should be restored, industry terminated, sound
currency provided through the direct exercise Of Com
spaional po,cer, and the public peace observed, if
the same can be accomplished without surrender OF
1c1or midi
yided attention, and will not permit myself to des-
pair Of their accomplishment
tender to each Of you, gentlemen, assurances OF
my high respect,
JOHN TYLER.
To Samuel Rush, James L. Tyson James McHenry,
Thomas S. Smith, and others of the Committee.
WAsHINGToN, Feb 18th, 1842.
Your favor of the 14th instant is received. 1t
would give me the greatest pleasure to unite with
the friends Of President Tyler in celebrating the
birthday Of the great and good Washington, and in
reviving the recollection of those principles which he
abored to establish, and which it is the aim of Pre-
sident Tyler to maintain. But the pressure of Off
cial duties renders the qualification of my wishes
this respect impossible; and it is slight source of
regret that thus deprived of the opportunity of
forming personal acquaintance with many gentlemen
whose public and private characters are known to
me by reputation.
Accept my thanks for the manner in which you
have been pleased to convey your invitation, and the
assurance of the high respect with which am
Your obedent servant,
J. G. SPENCER.
Messrs. Samuel Rush, James l.. Tyson. James +. Nc
Cauley, and others, Committee.
NAVY DEPARTMENT,
February 18th, 1912.
GENTLEMEN:
| have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your polite invitation to dinner to be given by the
friends of the Administration of President Tyler,
the 22d instant, and return you my sincere acknow
Judgments therefor