The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1842-03-09
PUBLIC DINNER.

ABOUT LlTcS NGiinlSl U tile lIjclaa oiIiSSluSiI
Tyler dned together at Philadelphia on the 22d
int. the birthday of Washington. At the table
the President Heads of departments, and other
public fuuctionarics, were toasted and cheered in
high terms ofapprobation. of The following letter
was received from President Tyler:
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 1912.
! GENTLEMEN: Itwould afford me the most dn-
qualified pleasure, could avail myself Of, your
polite invitation 10 be present with you on the
Anniversary of the birth of the most ilIustrious
man and devoted patriot who has ever lived sin
allthe tide of time" but this is denied me by the
constant pressure ofpublic duty. The example
OF George Washington, rendered glorious by the
devotion OF all his laculties-mental and phys-
cal-to the good of his country, stands in bold
contrast with those whose names have found a
place in history, as connected with great talents
directed to no other end than the advancement OF
their own petty and selfish schemes of ambition.
should like, in the company OF 'smy friends"
to recall the rccollcctions Of his praiseworthy
decds-to dwell upon the incidents OF, his usetu!
life. To repeat the lessons of wisdom and truth
embodied in his farewell ,address-and to take,
with each Of you, the. pledge to maintain the
Enioa of these States, sacred and inVloiatie, as
The mes! acceptable mode of doing honor to the
memory Of the Father of his country, and dis
charging the high debt which each and all OF US
owe 10 ourselves and to our posterlty - y.
For the kind regard which you express Tor me,
accept the tribute OF my sincere thanks. 10ur
approval of my past political course-directeua as
il has leon TO the faithful discharge OF my du'y,
will no. fail to amima'o me i'll all that remains oil
the future That entered upon the Presidcn-
tial office under circumstances Of great embar-
Lo,, boo ~, 10 oil Epr
the first time in our history, upon the happening
OF IA contingency provided Tor in the Constitution
the Vice President succeeded TO the Presidency
and, by adispensa;ion of Divine Providence
new experiment upon our institutions is in the
progress Of trial.
A president, elected by the peop'e comes into
Office at the head ofa triumphant party. His will
is, for the most part, the law which governs his
party. Responsible, under fhe Constitution, for
the administration of public affairs, he recon-
,nends his measures and adopts his line Of policy
with every assurance OF support. Not so, how
ever with Vice President, who succeeds to-
hePresidency by the demise Of the President.
His name has mixed but little with the canvass,
and has been selected more with reference to
supposed sectional Or local, than to general in
fnence. He has no party at his heels to sustain
his measures, or to aid him in his cXcrtions for
the public good, Instead of being a leader, he
must be alollower of party, and he is required
to be eEer piece of wax, TO be moulded into
any shape that others may please, or dcnuncia-
tons the loudest and boldest are in store for him.
Has lie long cherished opinions which stand in
the way of party measures, whether these mca-
sures be good, wise, Ur the opposite, they must
be surrendered. Homer, conscience, every thing
esteemed sacred among men, must be yielded,
or The thuadcrs break over his head, and threaten
annih]aion. : IL is a Gt occasion far the prcra-
lsnce otjacioR, and the reliance ofone thus situa
ted can clone be or the patriotism and discern
ment ofthe Ieople Such, frankly avow; is my
steadfast reliance, and every effort of mind and
body compatible with the public institutions, shall
be cxerted to maintain our institutions under this
new and hazardous experiment.
There are other causes of great trial and
difficulty ky which the Administration is sur
roundcd-private and public credit prostra.ed-
industry, in all its departments, paralyzed-a
Treasury deficient in its supples-a currency
broken up and disordered-and our foreign rela-
lions perplexed and embarrassed. Credit should
be restored-industry reaninatcd-a sound cur
rency provide through the direct crerciSe Of con-
sHtuiional poper, and the public peace preserved
if the same can be accomplished without a sur
render of national honor. These objects will
claim my undivided attention, and Will not per-
nit myself 10 despair Of their accomplishment.
Iender 10 each OF you, gcntcm2n, assrran-
ces my high respect. JOHN TYLER
To Samuel Rush, James McIlenry, Thomas S.
Smith, ndothers OF the committee.
WING CONSISTENCY.