Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1843-06-22

We give QeioW the Documents which have
been furnished by the President, in yindca-
ton OF his political character and consistency.
4 We shall doubtless, after this, have further les-
timpny, on the other side, ard certain squeamish
/ members Of Congress, who have heretofore re-
Trained from saying what they knoT, will be
called upon noir 10 speak out.
! From the .Madisoaian.
| We give 10 the public the following statement
made BY the President last year upon the sp-
Pearance Of Mr.. Ewng's letter, and which
would then have been published but for the d.
rect admission ofsthe fact by Mr.. Ewing in his
letter Mr.Webster's certificate isappended 10 1t:
in the public controversies which have
grown out of the exercise Of the Veto power at
The ast session Of Congress, the President Of the
United States has entirely foreborne from TAX
ing any personal part. Reasons connected 18th
the pttiee which he holds, aud The character
which ne wishes to maintain before The country,
have restrained him from any such interFer-
enee- Nor does he now consider il, to be be-
coming in him TO enter personally into course
Of explanations, commandments. or contra
dictions, with any Of those gentlemen VINO have
addressed the public OF published statements
relative to those occurrences
~ isnot to be supposed, however. thai he
should see, without pain, imputations Of the
grossest motives. made against him, in regard to
the exercise Of bis constitutional powertin neg
aiiying the two bills for creating Bank, or
"a iscal Agency. Placing high value on what
eTerdegree Of respect and confidence ne may
hayeobiained in The course Of public life, not
now short one, he trusts that he may at least
be rsgardsd>by his countrymen as having acted,
on The occasion referred to,swiIh honest pnrpo-
SEES and from conscientious convictions; ana. II
has been supposed that the statement of one
fact, incapable Of deniaf>or doubt might be
sufficient answer 70 the unjust and injurious i'm
Putallons which have been 50 uDspariDgly heap
ed upon him: and that is, that when about 10
send The last Veto Message to Congress, he
asked the membersAof his then existing Cabinet
to give him their frank opinions, whether IL
would be productive Of. peace harmony. and the
public good, if be should make known al the
same time thai he rould moi be candidate FIR ste-
lion 10 The Prssidsney-say ing that he was acting
only as his honest convictions ard long-cherisb-
ed opinions compelled him 10 act; that he was
mostdeeply concerned and anxious 10 fulfil the
wishes and expectations OF his friends, 10 the
utmost Of his power and that no, considerations
personal to himself, except those Of honor and
conscience, should stand in the way Of any sa-
erifee which he might be called on to make
that no love Of Office and no impulse Of amb i
tion did, or could, actuate him 10 the perform
ance Of what he thought SO imperatiYe'a duty
and that he was willing and ready 10 adopt re
measure which he hsc suggested, II so sdsfsed.
Although not concurring, as is well kpoWn ~
The veto messages, ,yetall the mepsers present
eoneurred decidedly in opinion psatnsl any mea.
sure like that which the Present pad mention
cd. They observed ths,, aooody had a right 70
call % him for ans ven declaration; that he
ana had ! rssnt 70 stand before the people. FOR
tthcirIfu,-fe favor, on bis merits, like any other
cis-sn; and that such proof of The sincerity
fand honesty this purposes could not % neces-
sary, as Inc people would Judge, after an Of
the motives Of his conduct by other copsidera.
tiohs; and, finally, that a step Of that hind was
Yin their opinion, quite o. likely 10 create new
embarrassments as To afford new facilities Ia
carrying on the Government. It Is n6t recol-
lected that all the Heads Of Departments we're
present at this conversation. Il Is believed that
Mr.. Criuenden was not present. and il is doubt
ed whether Mr.. Badger was, But M Web
ster, Mr. Ewing, Mr.. Bell, and Mr.. Granger
were present and cahnot fail 10 remember The
communication as above staied.s
JuNE 3, l542-I remember, perfectly well
the conversation above mentioned. between The
Presidentand the members Of the Cabinet, and
il is accurately stated.
tsignedJ DANIEL WEBSTER
Z WAsHINeToN. December 90, 1912.
Sir Mr.. Ewing. 10 his letlerto MFR crittepden,
speaking Of Whist transpred between himself
and the President, on The subjeci or the Veto
Message. says;
"He llhe Presidency said. 10 substance, hath
should probably be compelled 10 veto lhe bill,
and be thought 10 accompany the Veto Message
with ! solemn declaration, thai he would not Be
a.candidsIe for reelection, and wished our ad-
vice g TO the matter. In The course ofthc con.
sefsalion, he also said be had indited sentence
intended for insertion ie his Inaugural, expressly
debating that be would not be candidate for
recollection, which be withheld, LEST lis eject
would be 10 turn che batteries Of Mr. CLAW and
bis friends on Mr.. Webster. Mr.. Webster hsv
ing replied and objected 10 the declaration made
bJ The President, said that hoped be would
mol feel himself compelled to veto the, sill: bu,
if he Did, did not think it advisable 70 accom-
/ panY khe veto with The proposed declaration a
there appeared no connection between The Two
subjects. and did not think such deeIsrat;on
4 would have any tendency 10 reconcile the neo.
pie q he Veto.p Mr.. Ewing adds sNls 81
yiee, therefore, was seriously given IN ZOO
laIths though did not for moment believe b
proposition vas 50, no more than bslieved. 4
iacf, ms statement that BIO had peulsd such |
ese'srsuoa Tor irserlioh IN bis Inaugural. bu