Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-11-09
TIE SUMNERSET.

THE SUMMERSET.
when great political leaders find il necessary 10
denc their position" there is great reason 20 pre-
sumo either that they have abandoned the pIinci
pies by which they have hitherto been governed, or
that their conduct has beer, at least, equvocal.-
Those who pursue straightforward course, are
seldom under the necessity Of explaining ambgu
lties; and those who never change, are Tot often
misunderstood. IL is only the lodging politician
who Is sometimes here, sometimes there; sometimes
the tool oil one party, and anon the leader OF ano.
Their, and whose conduct is series Of cont ad cions
and inconsisiences-that llbors under the perpetual
necessity OF taskng his ingenuity 10 devi.ing pie-
texts to justify his want OF faith and want OF prin
cipie.
Defining positions has lately become quite FASH
onabe, and is bad sign in politics. Ii is almost
always either preceded followed by what is sig
nihcantly called 'ratng;' and decidedly indicates
political summerset of some kind other. The
Secretary OF War IS case IN point; having lately
favored the public with an ingenious and elaborate
explanation of his for whiting very furious
denuncia,ion OF the conduc: and measures OF that
very identical President under whom he accepted a
seat in the Cabinet q few months afterwards.
This change OF position certainly required expla.
nation, snd the Secretary has lately gwen one, not
| altogether unworthy man OF such extensive expe-
rienee in political regeneration. To US, however,
Is not altogether satisfactory. Tie Secretary has
!een known OF late years, in the State Of n. York,
as very efficient leader in that party which, under
| all It's names and DISCUSSES, has been uniformly op
| posed 10 the DemocIacy. = few months previou,
10 his accepting Office, ard alter the policy and
principles Of Mr. Tyler's administration cs full
ly developed as at the period when that even. o:-
CURED, he acted as the organ and scribe of con-
venlion which denounced that high iunclonary in
bitter philippe, condemning him and his measures
Individually as well as collectively, and sparng him
neither politically personally.
Such sudden conversions nre apt 10 excite sus-
picion at all times; and, when coupled close uI-
taposition with honors and rewards, as IN the pre-
sent case, the reasons we'd for \ change little
short oil mlrnculous-f any reasons are given
should lie so conclusive 10 preclude all idea that
any personal interest whatever aided the dictates
OF conscience. We must frankly suow that the
explanations OF the Secretary DO not come up 10
this standard. IL is true, that be approves
what he before so vehemenily stigmilized but the
motives for this change ere not Sufficiently devel
oPed. Certainly. Mr. Tyler has not changed; !
since, TO quote the words OF the Secretary, Rear
ed at the feet OF jefferson and Madison, in the |
sIrctest principles Of the Republican faith, those
principles had become portion of himself; and he
could no more depart from them, than he could Sc
yer himse!fIOm his moral nature"
We have, therefore, the authority OF the Secre- !
taiy himself, that Mr. Tyler has not only remained |
unchanged, bot that change is morally and ply !
seslly imPossoe. Ii would seem to follow, then,
that is the Secretary who has changed. Blu. this
tne Secretary does not choose 10 ayow; and the
only explanation vouchsGfed for this sudden transi-
ton from unqualified hostility 10 cordial co opera
ton IS the following. Speaking Of the "open out.
break" between the Two branches Of the Wing
p1riy, IN which he figured as the author Of the
manifesto against SIR Tyler, he says: Il should do
injustice 10 nv own feelings, did not express the
deep CONVICTION on my mind, from thorough inves-
tIgaton OF the tubJ-c and having become familiar
with the statements Of al parties, that there was
much Of misske and misapprehension between |
those who were honestly willing TO understand eacn
othsr some OF accidental, and more Of IN enIions
OF the language Of the President,
~ the various conversations held with HIM and that
throughout he manifested a sincere, honest, and
siesdiast adherence to the great constitutional OBJ
lection which be had epeatedy, IN public and pri-
vate, announced funds mental article of his po-
litleaI creed This IS alt the Secretary vouchssfes
no more. 10 clear up q mystery, he resorts 10
mysthcliicn.
The insinuation conveyed is, tina, the Secretary
misiook the motives mot the measufes) Of the Pre-
sdent oil which he now approves; though, few
months before be condemned them wihou, mercy.
Is the honorable Secretary sand blind or high
grayel-bindp that lie cannot tel "a hawk from o
bund.sawP Would he Insnuaie ihot he ecu j not
fairly and Justly estimate the measures Of Mr. Ty.
Ter, without eomprehendlng his mOuyes7 These
measures were by no means tquvoea'; they were
fairly before the public, and every man Of common
sense understood them-sIcepi the Secretary, who,
under the influence Of those unfortunate mistakes
and misappTehsnsons' to which he alludes con.
demntd, out Of office, what now when 10, he IN.
hesitaIngly approves.
With the most profound respect, We will venture
10 Vindieale the Secretary from the impula ion Of
that still more profound stupidity implied ~ this
confession. We do not and cannot believe that he
could 90 grossly mistake or misapprehend measures
u 90 PLAIN and decisive character, which no mo
tTes Of Mr. Tyler could change or modify IN their
principles or practice. That he should have com
United so great blunder as TO denounce measures
winch he now approve, solely because no Old not
/ comprehend them, - incOncevable IN one 50 saga
! eious ~ choosing sides, md who knows 20 well
(which side his tread is butiefed."
What were the real grounds Of bis conversion, IL
would be presumption N US 10 say. The conscIen.
ees OF some men-and most especially p0lltlcians-
are inseruiabe mysteries, and therefore greatly la-
bic 70 he mistaken. is dotales ore often conf0uGd
ed with the impulses Of integes. and ombiiion; and
II Is not always that men 90 apt 10 mistake and
misapprehend" az the Secretary declares himself 10
be, can distinguish between the toductons OF Office
aud Vie pnekings Of conscience, or the influence Of
sound principles. We ore willing 10 bslisve the
Secretary has persuaded himself that his conversion
, is solely oeeasoned by having bic eyes opened o.
, 70 tho real motives" Of Mr. Tylei's "measures;H
bat have serious doubts whether We shall have ma
followers. II Is more than probable the generulity
Of his readers will think hist be must clear up hi,
own conduct, before bis yindicaton Of Mr. Tyler car
. be very decisive. Future events will disclos,
shether he President and MS Secretary Of Wa
ore zone and indvsabe with the Democratic party'
Cras ersdimus, hsdis Hihn -Tononou We vii
believe, but not TO day Globe.
Mr. Stephens Forthcoming Work IN relation
!, n, Nyauioas and WORdsyJd REMAINS IN Yuea
y taH.-We are happy 70 learn that this work mo,
soon be expected, II will be tccollec,ed tina, NJ
stephens former work related almost entirely 4
q Central Ameficf. In his second visit he gave
: | new direction 70 his explorations; and The antiaui