Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-10-13

that in the present distracted state Of tho Wing
party, and in the contraristy of opinion which
prevails. (if there be contrariety Of opinion)
to the course properto be pursued by mc--the de-
cision OF that question might be left to myself
am exactly Of his opinion. cloud and repeated
checrs.) am quite Of this opinion, gentlemen,
that, in a question touching my own honor or the
consistency Of my own character, as am to bear
all the consequences of the decision might a
deal better be trusted to make II. And though,
gentlemen, no man values more highly than do
the advice Of my iiicnds, yet on question so i'm
portant and of such nature as this, like to
choose the friends to advise me; and on this
! whole subject, with this reference, shall leave
you just as enlightened as found you. give
no pledge; ] make no intimation, one wav or the
other; and l will be as absolutely free, when
this day closes, To act as duty calls, as l was
when its dawn first broke upon me. (Repeated
cheers.
cause there is always delicacy in speaking Of
differences with friends; but there is no embar-
| rasmeDt--No embarrassment. iii see tho path of
duty clear before me, trust have that within
me which will enable me to pursue it, and throw
all cmbarrasments TO the winds. public man
has no occasion 10 be embarrassed, ii he is hon
est. Iie himself-his own feelings arc nothing,
his country and his public duty every thing,
and he should sink whatever is personal to HIM
SELF III far higher considerations ;--tose arc the
characteristics that mark us as great or little
men.
There were many persons in December 1871 |,
who found great objections to INV remaining in
the Presidents cabinet. You ali know, gentle
uien, that twenty years of honest, DO not say Of
efficient service, of not altogether undistinguished
service in the Wing cause, had scarcely prepared
me Tor an outpouring such as seldom proceeds
from Wing friends against Wings, or any body.
| am little hard TO be coaxed and great deal
L Cbo IN from nv ~
Judgment; and thinking that was in a post
where could render service to my country, l
staid there; and leave you this day, and leave
my country to say, whether this country would
have been better off if had gone also.
have no attachment TO office. ! have tasted
us sweets, but have also tasted its bitterness.
am content; and acknowledge ] am more anX-
ious to preserve the good than 10 risks for
| acquisitions in public life. l suppose ought to
pause here. suppose ought not TO alIude, and
Will not, to any thing further that merely con-
| Germs myself.
most respectable Convention, assembled here
some ten days ago, and passed some important
resolutions. There is set Of gentlemen, so
tar as know, for whom entertain more respect
and regard. They are Wings; but they are no
better wings than am. They have served their
country III tho Wing ranks-and so have quite
as long, though, perhaps, with less ability and
success. They were sent hither, as suppose, to
agree upon one whom the Wings of Massachu-
setis should support for Governor and Lieuten-
ant Governor. If their power extended beyond
that, have not seen their commission. If they
had authority 10 speak in the name of the Wings
OF Massachusetts, for other purposes or interests,
was not acquainted with that power. And in
acting further it seems to me they were little
inconsiderate.
Among other resolutions, they declared, in be-
halt OF all the Wings Of the Commonwealth, a
il and final separation from the President of the
United States. II these gentlemen said this for
the expression of their own opinions, to that ex-
tent 1t is good. Wings speak their sentiments
every where-and they have pcrfcc, right to do
1t here. But it becomes quite another question,
when they assume to represent other characters,
and to speak on other points than those on which
they were authorized to speak. ! am Wing.
always have been one-and always SHALL be
! one-(repeated cheers)-an if any body under
takes to turn mo out of the pale of that commu-
| nioh-let him see to it who gets ont first! am
Massachusetts Whig--a Faneuil Hall Whg-
breathing her cir now for twenty-five years, and
meaning to breathe it on this spot, so long as God
shall be pleased to give me life.'