The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-03-06
THE LATE REFLECTIONS.


THE LATE REFLECTIONS.
The Senate Of the United States, on Friday
evening last. resolved that they did not advise
and consent to the appointment Of Caleb Cosh-
ing as Secretary Of the Treasury, nor Of Henry
A. Wise as Minister 10 France.
II this determination on their part has been
produced by the exubeIancs oil party zeal, or
The rage of disappointed ambition--if it has
been produced BY the feeling, SO common
among common minds, the desire to in6ict
upon honorable men the measure of pun
ishment which they themselves have met
or deserved, we pity, while we condemn
them. For, knowing right well that their
unreasonable desires can never be graft
fed, their unprovoked vengeance never com
pleted, we must commsera,e the situation of
persons whose malice is attended by impotence.
and whose vengeful spite is ,hwar,ed in the
means off its execution.
No member Of the United States Sc
nate dare doubt the eminent ability of Mr..
Cushing-no one doubts his peculiar fitness
for an Office to which the President, endorsing
and lavoring the common sentiment of the coun-
try, summoned him. His integrity was well
known--as talents universally respected-his
moral character unimpeachable--his sagacity
and untiring industry far easier to commend
than command.
He has stood before the country as one Of its
favored men. He has enjoyed more abundant
ly, perhaps, than any other man the rare repu
ta.ion that springs from personal ability, perso-
nal influence, irrespective of party considera-
TONS Few persons at his age, independent Of
selfish parties, have attained so elevated posi-
ton among mankind and his rise is a remark
able instance, in our own country, ofthe rapidi,y
with which talent, unsustained, save by its own
internal force, impels TO greatness.
The talents Of Henry A. Wise are as well
known as his name. No one could refuse no.
nors, with more indifference, or accept them with
greater ability. He can wear them without
suspicion Of having sought them, and relinquish
them with additional lustre.
Energetic, and Of determined character, he
could never compromise, by indecision, his
country's interests or his own honor Brave,
and yet without the rashness OF unintellectual
courage, he never has been deferred from his
duty BY any consideration that affected his per-
sonsl feeling, or thwarted in the intended &C
complishment of an object by the impetuosi,y
OF ungoverned passion. His virtues have new
er been carried to the excess Of faults, aud his
faults have been but lower than his virtues.
No man has been more determined foe to the
corrupting influences, that sometimes almost in
sensibly, creep over legislation. No one has
denounced them With more energy, and less in
terested motives. He is as far above the inHu-
ence Of weakness, as the suspicion of a
hribe.
Honest, fearless, straight. torward, his cha
racter could not have provoked his rejection as
Minister. OF a penetrating intelligence, an
aslute intellect, and rapid, almost iniutive de-
termination, such qualities should have CON-
manded his vssfr uiarivn.
As eager in pursuit of his country's rights as
indomltable in energy, in fixed and intense de-
termination, memorable 10 injustice he has OBJ
tanned and deserved the character of patriot
and honest man. With all the 6ery energy of
character that distinguished the Homeric Ashil-
les-with all his hate of fasehood and his re-
spect for the sterner virtuers--he has superadded
the amenity of disposition and manner that
soften while they perfect; and, unlike the Gre
clan hero, ne is vulnerable norhere!
The persons who have prevented, by the ex-
erclse Of an authority of such temporary dura-
ton, the completion "a, we verify believe) of
the popular will, owe it to the People, and to
themselves, to explain the grounds upon which,
nominations, personally unexcepGonable, have
been rejected. For in this country no ostracism
will be tolerated, which is based upon the meaner
feelings Of our nature which tire at hearing of
Aris''des' integrity, or grow sick at the superb
GRITTY Of Pericles.