Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1843-11-23

OF gov, fhsscsi, on the importance OF
maintaining tha separation of power,
which those constitutions establish: on
the great principles 81 such policy, as
SHAH promote all saterests, maintain gen.
erai harmony in The country, and pefpet-
uae the blessings OF political and religious
liberty, nly opinions the result Of no little
study, aud some ex; erience, have be-
come part Of myself. They are identified
with all my habits Of thought and refiec-
ton; and though may change my views
\ Of particular measures, or not deem the
same measures equally proper at all times,
vet am sure il is quite Impossible
should ever take such view, ether OF
the public interest, on afmy OWE duty, as
should ,ead ioa departure from any car
1lrnal principle.
As private man, am ready TO do
all in my power, 10 uphold principles,
which | have ever deemed important, and
to support measures, which the public IN
lerest, IN my judgment, requires. And
as me assures cannot be accomplished with
out tie agency OF men, am oil course en-
tirely willing TO support the men OF the
highest character, most unexcepuonable
principles, and who may be most likely
10 be bile 10 take an efficient and sue
cessiul lead, in such measures. And
here, perhaps, | ought TO pause. But the
gentlemen who invited me TO this meet
ing were pleased TO express their appro'
baton Of my conduct in remaining IA the
cabinet al Washington, after The other
members, originally appointed by Gen.
Harrison, had Withdrawn.
| | should not have alluded to this sub
leci, gentlemen and on this occasion, but
Tor the reference which the committee
have made to it. am aware, that there
are many persons in the country, having
feeling rot unfriendly towards me, pet
sonally, and entertaining all proper res
pect Cor my public character, who yet
think ought 10 have left the cabinet,
when my colleagues did SO. ! do not
complain of any fair exercise OF op'uion,
in this respect; and il, by such persons as
| have referred to, explanation be desired
OF any thing in the past, or any hing IN
my present opinions, it will be readily and
cheerlully given. On the other hand,
those who deal only in coarse vitupera-
ton and satisfy their sense OF candor and
justice simply by the repetition OF The
charge of derlllction of duty, and nfdell-
| ty to Wing principles, are not entitled to
the respect of an answer from me. The
burning propensity to censure and re.
proach, by which such persons seem to
be actuated, would probably be somewhat
retrenched, if they knew by whose advice,
and with whose appreciation, resolved
on staying in the cabinet.
Gentlemen, could not but be sensible,
that great responsibility ATTACHED 10 the
course which adopted. 1t was moment
of great excitement. A most unfortunate
difference had broken out between the
President and the Wing members OF Con.
gress. Much exasp, ration had been pro.
duced, and the whole country was IN
very infamed state. No man of sense can
suppose, that without strong motive,
should wish to differ in conduct from those
with whom mad long acted; and as for
those persons whese charity leads them
to seek for such motive in The hope OF per.
sonal advantage, neither thelf candor. nor
their sagaciiy, deserves any thing but con-
tempt. admit gentlemen, that if very
strong desire TO be instrumental and USE
full, in accomplishing a settlement of our
difficulties with England, which had then
risen to an alarming height, and appeared
TO be approaching a crisis; if this be per-
sonal motive, then confess myselfto have
been influenced by personal motive.
The imputa.ion of any other personal mo-
tive, the charge Oh seeking any selfish adj
vantage, repel with utter scorn.
To be sure it excites contempt, but
hardly anything so respectful as regret or
indignation, when persons capable of no
effort in any cause, but that of making
noise, and with no other merit than that 0!
intended partizanship-men, indeed, yet
seeking from their labors in support of the
most questionn measures of Gen. Jacson's
administration, and others, still odorous,
even with The perfumes of the Sub Treas
ury, distend their throats and admonish
the country TO beware of Mr.. Webster's
iufdelity to Wing principles.
Gentlemen, thought saw an oppor,u-
atty of doing The State some service, and
ran the risk of the undertaking. ! Ger.
tainly do no. regret it, and never shall
regret it. And ii is in no spirit Of boast.
ing, or vain glory, it is out Of no undue
feeling of self respect that say, now,
that am ready to leave it to the public
judgment to decide, whether my remain
ing in the cabinet was best for the coun.
try, or on the other hand, whether my
leaving it would have been better for the
country.
On this question, am in the judgment
of this generation; and am willing that my
name and fame, and character, shall abide
the result.
There was no difference, between the
President and myself, on The great question
OF our foreign relations. lneither foresaw
then nor experienced afterwards, any EN-.
barrassment from such cause as that.
And it is but an act of Justice, which | al
ways perform with pleasure, to say, that
in the English negotiation, and IN other
negotiations, found the President inilu-
encod by just principles, and proper sent.
menss: DESTROYS OF maintaining, at The
same time, the honor, and the peace of
/ A