The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-09-28

From the Richn ond Whig.
JUDGE NcTEAN or OHIO Yaf


4 correspondent Of the Charlottesville Advocate.
furnishes an extract of letter from Judge Mclean
which IS appended Judge Mclean always occu-
pies an important position in the public eye and Il
he lives, nc will probably occupy still more npor-
'ait ono m me course OF dozen years. The letter
i 10 dated 10Th August 4}--and was not rittcn for
! publication l
"The office Of President in my opinion has bee,
lowered, and also the character OF the country. a,
hume and abroad, by the means used to secure tn
Office High as the Presidency Of this great nation is
It may be reached at too great price Ii sinks below
tue amotion OF an honorable mind, when it is attain
able only by sacrifice OF the lofes patriotism Not
TO name others, we have in the elevation Of Jefer-
son, Madison, and Monroe, examples of high and
honorable ambition which Is worthy of imation--
! bese eminent men, when named for the Office OF
! President rcposing what they had done and what
| their known capacities enabled them 10 do in the
hishest pubic fruits, neither took seemed to take
| any agency in their own advancement.
For many years have been deeply impressed with
Inc injustice, the corrupting and runous effects of
political partlsanship Its introduction into the Fed
raj Government, has well nigh ruined our beloved
country Before this bane had perverted our moral
sen'c, our love OF country, and far as politics are
concerned, almost every noble feeling OF the heart
we were happy, people, in the enjoyment.of
great and uninterrupted prosperity. And whatever
may be said TO the contrary this terrible evil lies at
The foundation of all endorsements. 1t has
been mainly instrumental in the commercial revpi-
SONS we have witnessed, and it has FRUSTRATED our
political morality. Our pecuniary losses within a
lew years past, are Utmost beyond the power of COM
pulatlon bit these are scarcely worthy of consde-
ration, IN comparison with the loss, it may be the r-
reparabe loss, Of moral force in our institutions
hat man must be blind to the admontions of history
VINO supposes that free government can be long sus-
taned which addresses itself with all its influence
to the baser passions of our nature Such a course
leads to widely dlfused corruption and consequent
rum In my judgment, nothing rescue our gov
eminent from this the fate of republics but
change IN its political action This action must be
elevated 1t must reach and rouse the moral tone Of
.hs nation Instead OF administering to the prosti-
,uted apPeiites OF demagogues, must rest on yr-
tuous and an enlightened public opinion It must ga
ther strength byls actsmoral strength Its aim should
be the general good. The chief of the government
IN making appointments TO Office should carry out the
principles oi the vlrtuous Monroe who on a certain
person being recommended to him for an Office rs /,
personal friend, with good qualifications remarked
with earnestness "No man can feel more grateful
than do for personal acts Of kindness but in making
lnis appointment have high public duty to per-
form, and must look to the public nterestn
departure from these principles drove me reluc-
JaniX from political life and in all sincerity assure
siaency, which could tempt me again into politics. on
principles opposed 10 those which | approve and on
which endeavor TO act.
Pledges, " hen given by candidate for public IA
vor, should be received with suspicion they are
generally made to answer a particular purpose aud
are seldom redeemed No one, perhaps, should be
leading topics of the day unknown to the public.
Until within few years past, pledges not re-
CURED from the candidates for the Chief Magslracy.
And may ask what good has resulted from this in
novaton Has il made our Chief Magistrates more
faithful 10 the Constitution and TO their general du
lies Let comparison of our late history with the
past, answer this question. Who thought of ask ing
pledge from the venerated fathers of the Republic
'boyenamed? A sound head aud honest heart, |
think, are the best pledges. These will rarely fail whilst
experience shows that pledges made TO be broken
No one who is named for the Chief Msgistracy,
rom respectable should feel himself at liber
~ to say that he would decline nomination for that
office. But ] beg you 10 believe, my dear sir, that
tins remark Is not prompted by a vanity which leads
me 10 suppose, that my name could be favoroby con-
,idcrod by the contemplated Wing Convention. The
friends oil Mr.. Clay in consideration of his eminent
qualifications and long public services Arc looking with
no ordinary socitude to his nomination. And assure
,ou that have wish by the obtrusion of my name
10 separate my friends If have any, from their present
associations. ! do not desire and would not eve
the Presidency, if within my reach as the i1strt-
mcnt of a party Indeed | should count il no honor
10 have my name associated with the downward
course Of our Government and such a course is ac-
celebrated and only acct lerstod, by ultra partvism
To bring back the Government 10 lis old founda-
tions restore It's lost character its former purity,
energy and elevation, would he achievement Sc
cond only 10 that Of Washington's. An achievement
v hich would make any individual the favored son OF
his country, OF this who would not be proud aud
hort of This object, no honest man can desire the
p esdcncy."
With the greatest respect, | am
Your grateful and ob'dt scrvt,
nH a