The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-02-21
w A S HI N G TO N.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, FEB. 81, 1914.
MR.. VAN BUREN'S "MAGIC OF HONEST
PATRIOTISM.


PATRIOTISM"
In our former article we said, that the article
of the Globe, which we have under revision, is
rich in material. We have it not in our heart to
misrepresent it. Hence purpose is to ex-
tract from it literally, in all the particulars to
which we wish to invite public attention. We
will even re-copy, that all possibility of misinter
pretng it may be avoided. Its calculation of the
"instinct in the people, is exceedingly happy,
and apropos to the past-nay, more, surprisingly
worthy of remembrance at the present time
Here it is again:
In disposing of the chief power of the Gov
ernment," says the Globe, "there is an instinct
in the people which directs them almost invaria-'
bly, to choose that man who, being equal to the
Office, seems least inclined 10 take IT, There is in
this, as in all natural first impressions,
prompting to promote the safety Of those concern
ed called on as they are to act for their own and
the common good. If man seems to be eager
to clutch poacer-v he is Observed to be torerer the
stretch to obtain the supreme authority-the idea
unbidden obtrudes itself, that such restless anbi-
ton has some selfish motiUe at the bottom; and
this suggests to the cautious The Albania ge of
avoiding the danger By withholding the trust anriousy
sought. 1t is the instinct of self-preservation
aoch opposes the Advances Of such urgent sitors for the
public ccnfdence
These italics are ours. But, how philosophy
cally, and truly philosophically, the Globe illus
trates the promptings Of the people, in the cleo
ton of l640 to promote their own safety, against
the eagerness of Mr.. Van Buren,, and his advo-
Gates, for we do not say it was The alone they
renowned i ito clutch power !" The idea
unbidden obtruded itself" UPON THE PEOPLE, that
'such restless ambition" had "some selfish mo-
tive at the botom, and suggested to their caution
" the advantage of avoiding the danger By NTH
holding the trust SO anriously sought" Yes
"the instinct Of self-preseruation" opposed "the
advances of such urgent suitors for public conf |
dence -
The Globe, however, writing as if such thing
as the expulsion of Mr.. Van Buren, from the Chief
Magstracy of the people, by such a voice and
such rebuke from the people, as no previous
expression and election had ever uttered-by the
vote of nineteen States of twenty-sx, and ma
jority of nearly one hundred and fifty thousand
of the direct votes of the people; writing, we
say, as if such an event had not only not just
happened but as if it had never happened, the
Globe, with unmeasured effrontery, assals Mr..
CLAY as the individual who had thus been vic
timized to his own restless ambition" by that
"instinct in the people which directs them almost
invariably to choose their man, who, being equal
to the office, seems least inclined to take 1t :"
The :" idea unbidden obtrudes itself, that such
reckless" mpudence finds It's parallel only in the
conduct Of him, who first applies the torch to
your dwelling, and would fan divert suspicion
from his own guilt in the merit of being among
the earliest Of your fellow citizens to cry sire!
FIRE.
Can it be true, that Mr.. Van Buren,, or his hon.
estly meaning supporters-for he doubtless had,
and has, some such-can look with complacencv
upon this course of perverting history, and sup
pressing its planest teachings in respect to Mr..
Van Buren,!
The Globe proceeds to ascrbe to Mr. Clay am
Sitous designs upon the Presidency, from every
prominent circumstance upon which its jaundiced
sense of vision can light, since 1916:
From 1885, says the Globe, "when he re-
turned from Europe, he has been, without inter-
mission, working, in all manner of indirect.
crooked ways" to compass the Presidency. After
the Seminole campaign, he saw in General Jack
ron's glorious services something likely to inter-
vene between him and his hopes and then he
got up in Congress the furious war of words, to
make him appear a ruthless tyrant in the eyes of
the people. Then he saw in Mr. Monroe and his
cabinet growing obstacles in his way, and they
were busily undermined. Mr.. Adams became
the most prominent, and he was particularly le-
yelled at and the charge made against him that
he attempted at Client, to cede the navigation of
the Mississippi TO the British. Upon this, Mr..
Adams met him with fiat contradiction but it
becoming convenient that they should combine
against the popular will in favor of General Jack
son, they adjourned the question of veracty be-
tween them, and, by a coalition, defeated the
wishes OF the nation Since the expulsion of
these quondam political adversaries, (but, in the
end, bargaining confederates,) Mr.. Clay has