The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-07-12


,hev might be made without hazard. bui
N. 4 i, impossible to penetrate the human
h,.arl, and distinguish between the sinister
and honest motives which prompt IL any
.,ubIic man that changes his opinion. once
sriberatel formed and promulgated. under
o,bcr circumstances than those which have
stated, draws around him dislrust. impairs
,.c pubic confidence, and lessons his caPac-
ilv 10 serve his country.
will take this occasion now to say. mat
am. and have been long satisfied, that Ii
would have been wiser and more PoiIlic 10
mn 10 have declined accepting the office OF
Secretary of State in 1925. Not that my
motives were not as pure and rs patriotic as
ever carried any man into public otflce-
to, that the calumny which was aPpl'd to
lie fact was not as gross and as untounded
a. any that was ever propagaied. Here
g .mebody cried out that Mr.. Carter Bcver.
.rly, VINO had been made the organ OF an
ruuncing it. had recently borne testimony
10 its being unfounded. Mr.. Clay said 1t
vas true he had voluntarily borne such 'esi-
IRONY. But, with great earnestncss and
emphasis, Mr.. Clay said, ! want no testimo-
ny: here-her '-HERE-( touch
,rg his heart. amidst tremendous cneers)-
here is the best of oil witnesses Of my inno-
ecnce.1 Not that valued friends and high
" esteemed opponents did not unite in ur-
cling nv acceptance Of the office; moi hat
lie administration of Mr. Adams will not,
sincerely believe, advantag ooasl y compare
with that of any of his predecessors, IN e.
nonomy, purity, prudence and m; not
that Mr.. Adams was himself waiting ~ 3
ny of those hiah qualifications and npilght
and patriotic intentions which were suited
70 the office. OF that extraordinary mar
of rare aud varied attainments, whatev r
diversity Of opinion may exist as 10 his re-
rent course in the House of Represe tatives
land candor obiges me 10 say that there
a-e some things in ii which deeply regret.
it is wi,b 10 less truth than pleasure Ina,
declare, that during the whole period Of his
administration, annoyed. assaIled and as
s1uted as II was. no man could have shown
81 more devoted attachment TO the Union and
all its great interests: a more ardent desire
faithfully TO discharge bis whole duty, or
frongi,l TO his aid more useful experience
and Knowledge than he did. never trans
-. ted business with any man 10 my life with
., ore ease. satisfaction aud advantage than
DID with that most able and ind, fa.igable
grntemer.. as President of The U. Sales
and will add that more harmony never
prevailed 10 any Cabinet than in his.
But my error. in accepting tho office. a.
70 out of my undertaking The power o. de-
traction and the force of Ignor ance. and a.
hiding. with too sure a confidence in the
integrity and uprightness Of my
own motives. or thnt ignorance, had a
remarkable and laughablc example on an
ccasion which will relale. | was travel
hing, in '2s. through, believe il was. Spott-
y iyaniG in Va, on my return to Washing
lrgion.ia company with some Young frends.
v g haltrd at night at q tavern, kept by an
aged gentleman, who, quickly perceived,
frumrhe disorder sud confusion which reign.
sd, had mol the happiness 10 have wife,
Alter hurried AID bad supper, the old gen.
tirn!an sal down by me, and without hearing
NJ! name, but understanding that was
iiom Kentucky, remarked that he had four !
~ that they were divided in politics, two
bring for Adams and two for Jackson; lie |
!. shed They we're all for jackson. Why !
asked him Because, he said. that fellow
F'lav. and Adams, had cheated Jackson out
Of The Presidency. Have you ever seen a.
ny evidence, my old friend, sad |. of that
NJ, he replied, none. and he wanted 10 see
Rpf | nh
y ard steadily in the face. suppose Mr.. C.
we're 10 come here and assure sou, upon his
ionor, that If was all vile calumny, and
1ot word of truth in il, would you believe
in! No. replied the old gentleman prompt.
y and emphatically. said to him, in con.
fusion, will you be good enough to show
h'' to bed. and bid him good NIGHT. The
ext morning, having IN the interval learnt
nv mare. he came TO me full of apologies.
'u' al ouce put him at his ease by assur-
N: him that did not feel in the slightest
s. gree hurt or offended with him.
Ar. President, have been accused of
a. bl'Ion, ofit n accused of ambition, | be.
Is We, however, that my accusers will be gen.
'rally found 10 be political opponents, or the
trends nf aspiranls in whose way was sup
Used to stand, and it was thought therefore
rressary to shove me aside. | defy my
armies 10 point ont any act or instance of !
n life in which have sought the attain
'ient of Office hy dishonorabie or unworthy
neans. Did display inordinate ambition
B n,untier the administration Of Mr.. Mad
'on, declined foreign mission of the first
q ade. and an Executive Department. both
+ which he successfully kindly rendered to
"ct When, under that of his successor,
Mr.. Monroe, wa, first imporiuned, las no
me knows better than thai sterling old pal.
ioi. Jonathan Roberts, now threatened, as
hr papers tell Us, with expulsion from an
flee which was nevor filed with more hon.
sly ond uprighiness, because he declines
u lie servlle insilument,) 10 acccp, Sec.
,-tar, ship. and was afterwards offered a
'arie blanche Of all the Foreign missionsl
Att epoch Of the election of IS s. be-
ieye no one doubled ar Washington that, if
/ I'D feii il my duty 10 vote fnE Gen. Jack
on be would have invited me 10 take charge
4 Deaartmen,. And such undoubtedly !