Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1843-10-13
From the NdtioaaI lnteliigeacer.
Judge Mclean and the
Whig cause.

lottesville Advocate part OF letter from
this distinguished gentleman, which one
Of his friends In that quarter has CON-
municated for publication, though (as
he says) not designed for the general
eve, So sound, however, are the opln-
ions, so right the feelings which it ex.
presses, that one cannot but be gratIhed
that the public should come into posses
sion of such declaration, so worthy Of
a wide attention, and so certain from
the source from which it comes, TO CON-
mand it.
LIE, not the manly regret with which
Judge Mclean speaks Of The present
condition OF poliIca morals be cononn
ded with that talking, trading, shutlllng
pa,riousm that mouths eIernalIy the
names o( honor, country, liberty the
Constitution. ss !avorle sounds Obnn-
dontly sufficient, without one noble or
useful public act, 10 win the popu ar Ia
yor. Let not this sincere language pass
for no more than the declamaIorg virtue
of the day, which is growing IN those
who talk il most gIiby, linle else than
Justification OF Dr. Johnson's sra'l'Dg
definition Of patriolism-"lhata patriot
is one who makes great rout about
country and conscience, in order that
he NAV sell the former, and because he
never had any Of the latter.
judge Mclean is one Of those whose
pubic action has ever answered 20 lhelf
sppech: who have served the country
more than they have hlltered 1t, who
have TAXED Of principles Ies' than they
have s,rlVeG TO advance them This
letter itself, Ii't'e framed "a it il TO the
tune ur popu nfity'9eeking' - an earnest
ot his sincerity; hut il IS not the onIS
one: he IN, speaks now Ms he has hereto
fore acted-Wllh a dsdarn Of personal
successes to be won al the sacrlhre 0l
the pubic veal OF OF bis individual hon
or and Independence.
We know how truly this letter is il
conformity with what was the public
impression of his course, in that decls
i've moment OF his political fortunes
which others may not remember so well
1t is TO that period Of his life that HI
modestIy refers when he says, 10 TIT
letter, "a departure from these Prlncl
pies drove me reluctantly from publ
life"
Associated originally with the Adam
administration, ss the chlel OF serVic
1.-THE Post Office) not then ranking as
Cabinet department, he had given 1t, b
the energy and skill which he lniuse
into it. an importance and popuIarIt
which forbade his removal atthe acce
sion of the Jackson dynasty, and mad
that violent but polite power willing
adopt, provided il might use him. Wit
this view under pre,ence OF giving
new dignity TO his department, but
reality that its patronage might
brought (as it had not hitherto been) il
10 the great Executive 'und OF power
they constituted his Office cabinet on
Then the Post Office and all it's wide m
chincry and patronage began al once
be used for political and elec,loneerir
and party engine, Of which he was le
the responsibility, while they took II
control.
Commandiug as was the popuari
Of tho Administration with which "
Mclean was thus associated and INV
ting as was the road which ("uh II
ponular favor that he enjnyedj II open
to the highest public success no saw Il
the rewards OF ambition which il otf'
cd. hut the official abuses, the pub Ic c.
ruu,ion and disorders, The personal d
o,ata,ion and dishonesty which 1t inv
we'd. and he withdrew from the come
ion with that acoblnlc cabal. who
schemes were already preparing, visit
IA h,m, the mis,hiets which they hO
since inflicted, tho dangers at which
is now alarmed
When, therefore, that very party.
mere expectation OF whose acts sepa
,od him from them. now affect for h
an admiration which he so little
,urn.. and are gooi enough 10 wish
nae him lc distract the Wings ard fr
rate ,hpir own coming overthrow, lc
Mclean il now as Illte their dupe as
wa. rormptly their tool; and no VIII
therefore,. to (riend in Virginia, un
da,e o( the 10Th OF August last, IN
following terms:
TxrRAcr FROM lUpGc McLH'Ns LrTT
The Office orPtendeoi, iO my opjoi
bos bocn owored and also The char
to,ol thc country, 81 homo and abro
hy lhc means usaj 10 secure that OH
High as ,he Presidency Of this great
ion is, ii may be reached al too gres
price, 1t sinks below The ambition