The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-10-19

Monroe examples Ol q hlgh ana non
orabIe ambition which is worthy Of i'm
ilaiion. These eminent men when
named for Office Of President, reposing
on what they had done and what their
capacities enabled them 10 do, in the
highest public fruits, neither took nor
seemed TO take any agency in their own
advancement
For many years ! have been deeply
impressed with the injustice, the COR
rupdug aud ruinous effects Of political
parlizanship. It's Introduction into the
Federal Government, has Well-nigh ru-
ined our beloved country. Before
that bane had perverted our moral
sense, our love Of country, and SO far
as politics are concerned almost every
noble feeling Of the heart, we we're
happy, as a people in the enjoyment OF
great and uninterrupted prosperity
And whatever may be said 10 the COM
rary, this terrible evil lies at the foun-
dation Of an our embarrassments. Il
has been mainly instrumental 10 the
commercial revulsions we have wit
messed. and it has Frustrated ourpoliG-
ical morality. Our pecuniary losses,
within few past years are almost be-
yOnd the power Of computation but
these are scarcely worthy Of consider
alton in comparison with the loss, it
may be the irreparable loss Of moral
force in our institutions. That man
must be blind lo'the admonition Of bis
tory who supposes that free govern
ment can be long sustained, which adj
dresses itself, with all its influence, TO
the baser passions Of our nature. Such
a course leads to a widely difused cor
Eruption and consequent ruin. In my
Judgment, nothing can rescue our gov
eminent, from this the common fate Of
republics, but change IN its political
action. This action must be elevated.
Ii must reach and rouse the mJral tone
Of the nation. Instead Of administer
ing TO the prosliluted appelites Of dem
lagogues, it must rest on a Virtuous and
an enlightened public opinion. Il
must gather strength by'iIs acts--mor-
al ST ength. It's aim should beIhe gen
eral good. The chief aim OF the gov
eminent in making appointments to Of
fee should carry out the principles Of
The virtUOua Monroe, who, on a GER
tain person being recommended to hin
for an Office, as personal friend, with
good qualifications, remarked with ear
nestnestness, mo man can feel moro
grateful than ! do for personal acts Of
kindness, but in making this sppoint-
mont I have 4 high public duty 10 nsr-
form, and | must look TO the public in
teresl,"
A departure from these principles
drove me reluctantly, from political
life; and in all sincerity assure you
that there is no political office, not even
the Presidency, which could tempt me
: again into politics or principles oppo-
sed to those which | approve and on
which I endeavor TO act.
Pledges when given by candidate
} for public favor should be received
with suspicion, as they are generally
= made TO answer particular purpose
and are seldom redeemed. No one,
. perhaps. should be named for the
S Presidency whose opinions, on the lea
ding topics Of the day, are unknown to
i the public. Until within q few years
J past pledges were not required from
n the candidates for the chief magistracy
And | may ask what good has resulted
2 from this innovation. Has It made
E our Chief Magistrates more faithful tc
! the constitution and TO their general
d duties Let comparison Of our late
history with the past, answer this ques
: ton. Who thought Of asking pledge
. from the veneraied fathers Of the re-
(. public above named A sou1d head
T and an honest heart, I think are the
best pledges. These will rarely fail
! whilst experience shows that pledges
: are made to be broken.
8 No one who is named for tie chic
magistracy, from a respectable source
. should feel himself at liberty to say h
&C would decline a nomination for that Of
Gee. But beg you to believe, ~,
j. dear Sir,that this remark is not promo
e ted by vanity which leads me to sup
@ pose, that my name could be iavoIabl,
r considered by the contemplated WhiJ
e Convention. The friends Of Mr.. Clal
; in consideration Of his eminent qualif
p nations and long public services, ar
IS looking with no ordinary solicitude t
% his nomination. And I assure yol
= that have no wish, by the Obtrusio
Of my name to separate my friends If
Y have any, from their present associa
Y tons. ! do not desire and would no
receive the Presidency, if within m,
reach, as the instrument Of party
i Indeed | should count it no honor, &
\ have my mama associated with ID
downward course OF our Government
and such a course is accelerafnd AM