Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-10-05

tons Of history, who supposes that free govern
nent can be long sustained, which addresses it.
sell, with all its influence, TO the baser passions
OF our nature. Such a course leads to a widely
d'iluscd corruption and consequent ruin. In my
Judgement nothing can rescue our government
from this the common fate Of republics, but
changefn its POLITICAL action. This action must
be elevated. 1t must reach and rouse the moral
tone Of the nation. Instead of administering to
tho prossltuted appetites Of demagogues, it must
rest on viTtuous and enlightened public opinion.
Unjust gather strength by its actsnoral strength.
Its aim should be the general good. The chief of
the government in making appointments to office
should carry out the principles Of the virtuous
Monroe, who, OH certain person being recon-
mended TO him for an Office, as personal friend,
with good qualifications, remarked, with earnest
ness: mo man can feel more grateful than do
Tor personal acts Of kindness, but in making this
appointment have high public duty to perform,
and must look 20 the public interest,""
A departure from these principles drove me, re-
lnc,antly, from political life; and in all sincerity
assure you that there is no political Office, not
even the Presidency, which could temp, me again
| approve and OH which endeavor to act.
! Pledges when given by candidate for public
favor should be received with suspicion, as they
are generally made TO answer u particular purpose
and are seldom redeemed. No one, perhaps,
should be named for the Presidency whose OPT
mons, ON the leading topics of the day, are un-
known to the public. Until within few years
past, pledges were no, required from the candi.
dates Tor the chief magis,racy. And may ask
what good has resulted from this innovat ion.-
Has 1t made our Chief Magistrates more faithful
to the constitution and TO their general duties
Let comparison of our late history with the past
answer this question. Who thought of askinu q
pledge from the venerated fathers of the repubi;e
above named! sound head and an homes
heart, think, are the best pledges. These will
rarely tail, whilst experience shows that pledge:
are made to be broken.
i NO one who is named for the Chief Mapistracy
from respectable source should feel himself a
liberty 10 say that he would decline nominatio,
for that Office. But beg you to believe, m,
dear sir, that this remark is not prompted by
, vanity which leads me to suppose, that nv nam
could be favoraby considered by the contemplate
Wing Convention. The friends of Mr. CLAW. il
consideration Of his eminent qualifications an
long public services, are looking with no ordinar
soiicltude to his nomination. And assure vol
That have no wish, by the ob,ruson of nv name
to separate my friends, if have any, from the
: present associations. / do not desire and " oul
not receive the Presidency, if within my reach
as the instrument OF party. Indeed | shout
count 1t no honor, TO have nv name associate
r with the downward course of our Government
and such course is accelerated and only accele
rated, by ultra par,yism. To bring back the Go
vernmen to its cid foundations 10 restore lis los
character, lis former purity, energy and elevation
, would be an achievement second only 10 that ,
Washlngton's. An achievement which woul
make any individual the favored son of his Cour
try. or this who would not be proud an
short OF this object. honest man can desire Tn
Presidency"
with the greatest respect am,
Your grateful and obd't serv't
JOHN MCLEAN.