Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1845-07-19
TO JAMES X. POLK,
President of the limited ,Stnfes.


the port eff New York, c. p. Van Ness,
Esq. l beg leave to say a few words to
you on that subject. This shall be done
in terms of respect; while boast, with
pride trust not unbecoming, that have a
right TO speak when behold serious me-
mace of impending wrong to one in whose
fate l am not without some personal inter-
est, and in whose ruin there is TO be a vio-
lation, you will find, not only of sound pol
icy, but also of the sacred principles of
both private and public Justice. fortu-
nately need, and therefore ask, nothing for
myself; and you will bear me witness that
| never annoyed or troubled you in rela-
ton to appointments, except for, perhaps,
about fifteen minutes in this one case. You
then treated me patiently and courteously,
not saying any thing of your candor
The collector, it seems, is to be removed.
This being, from the Importance of the port,
subject of some distinction, and rather
more than ordinary note, as is obvious from
numerous demonstrations, in various quar-
tiers, not limited by, nor ascribable to, per-
sonal partially, there are anxious inquiries
for the reasons of the proposed step. Is
there any defalcation in the public fundsl
any want of talent, industry or efficiency
in the management of the public business?
any injustice or oppression to or upon pri-
vate individuals! In short, any mal-admin-
istration or official misconduct! To all
these inquiries there is a universally mega
tive response. / will not dwell on what
others say, but you say yourself, unreser-
vedly, that he is an able and upright officer;
that he discharges the arduous duties of his
trust without impeachment or exceptions;
and that there is not more efficient exec
utive agent under the government. Ex-
cuse me for what may possibly be consid-
cred somewhat aggressive. Now, sir, a
functionary of your high station, power
and responsibility in this government, is
not to act without reason. You are the
the moral and political head of great
country. need not tell you that, while it
is your duty to promote its physical and
political improvement, you are equally res
ponsible for its moral condition. The mass
will be sound when its ingredients are so.
A community of honest, honorable, high
minded individuals, will be of the same
character.
Besides the intellect, foster the feelings
and principles of honor in the one and you
will elevate the character of the other, and
immortalize it on the rolls of history; and
moreover, you will yourself, as the ruler,
stand before posterity in glorious associa-
ton with it. But, sir, on the other hand,
cherish and encourage the vicious propen-
sites Of the unprncipled, who acquire dis
linction and success only by the arts of
detraction from and depression of, superior
merit; who surrounded you with their
cloaked weapons, whose insidious shafts,
despatched in the dark, speed most surely
to the destined and unguarded victim; and
you are sure to humiliate and mortify the
good, honorable and highminded. Elevate
human feelings, and you ennoble the human
character and multiply human blessings;
humiliate them, and you sink your fellow
men to degradation, vice and misery. Dis
card and repel, therefore the wretches who
surround you with their intrigues and ma
chinations against merited distinction, and
rest only on the firm perpendicular pillars
of exalted and virtuous ministers.
Well, then, repeat. what are the rea-
sons for this removal! Why, without adver.
ting to insignificant trifes and circumstan.
ces of a personal character, and of no
weight, he it is said, not sufficiently popu.
lar in New York, while a little contemplate
press, and perhaps an expression furtively
obtained from collection of few indi-
viduals, intrigueingy managed, resolve that
he is not genuine democrat, (of their
GREEDY while at the same time the genuine
democracy of the city and State testify &c
the contrary. The agitators are met and
confronted on their own ground, at theiI
meetings, outvoted, routed and defeated
The mercantile and business community
with one acclaim pronounce the merit o.
the collector. Still you say, as guardia,
and CONSERVATION Of the public harmony 20,
are bound to compose the eriSting agitation
assuming that the removal of a faithful ano
able officer, thus partially and factiously
sought, will have the desired effect. If
mistake the case, l wish to be corrected anc
admonished.
Well, then, again sir, here is membe
of the true Democratic stock of American
patriots, tit is unnecessary TO RETROSPECT
in detail, for however honorable the inner
itance may be when it does occur, l an
not an advocate of the doctrine of tn,
natural and necessary lineal descent o
ancestral merit,) who, not referring to hi
education and professional pursuits in tn
State of New York, has, from his earlies
manhood and entrance on the stage of hu
man action, been employed in the publ
: service of his country; who. after havin
removed from New York to Vermont, helc
: with great reputation, the responsible offic
of Collector of that State, during the lat
war with Great Britain, when the horde