Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1845-09-04

10 believe me, when declare, that what
cannot, in this case be uttered by the
lips, is deeply felt in the heart. (APpIause'(
will here only add that the names OF
tho dsinterestcd donors, like the articles
themselves, will be most faithfully pre-
served, and that frequent recurrence 10
them, will, | am sure he among the most
pleasnr acts of my future life cheers
In thanking the Committee, as SIN
cerely do, for their kind and nncqulroco
expression ofapprobaton, ofmy official aud
political conduct, deem il proper to sub
mt a few remarks upon some of the top
les to which they have referred
In the summer Of the last year, Prcs-
den, Tyler, without any solicitation or en-
pectation on my part, appointed me to the
important and responsible station OF Cor
lector of this port, And after having
performed the duties of the Office Tor a.
bout six months, my appointment was con-
firmed by the Senate Of the United States,
without a dissenting voice. 1t was my
constant aim to administer the office, con-
sidered in its legitimate character, in a
manner calculated to carry out the objects
of the Government, and at the same time
TO afford satisfaction to the commercial
community, and to the public at large
| believed that Justice to the Government,
and liberal and accommodating action
towards the merchants for all honest pur-
poses, were not only compatible but at
lainablc, objects, in jndicous, yet faith
full execution of the revenue laws. If |
did not succeed in thus administering the
office, am sure it was from other causes
than a want of good intentions, or of UNI
firing industry in my Official Iabors.-
(AppIause.)
So far as the political patronage and in
fuence of the Office are concerned, the
difficulties by which was surrounded can
scarcely be appreciated. The peculiar
state of the Democratic p'rty, and the ap-
proach of most important Presidential
election, were among the principal Difficult
tics. That cxered myself to bring a.
bout cordial union in the Democratic
party, and to bring the whole strength of
il into the contest, in favor Of MIR Polk,
are facts too well known TO be disputed by
any honest and disinterested person. Ard
that my efforts were not without some ei-
feet, has, trust, been seen in the result
Ct the two important elections in this city,
which took place while | was in office.
In my selections for appointments and re-
tentions Of officers, l was determined to do
equal Justice, so far as might be practical
cable, to the different sections and inter-
ests in our party: and, consequently, to re.
gard no distinctions between Democrats,
beyond those necessary fairly to carry out
that determination That did, in good
faith, act upon this principle, Can be
proved by an examination OF the list Of
persons left in Office by me.
But Notwithstanding all this, it is true
that | was violently assaled, and grossly
misr'presented by men protesting to be
Democrats. tits, however, equally true,
that it was the work, exclusively, Of Sec
ton Of our party, which is composed Of
men who but unwilIngly concurred in the
nomination of Mr. Polk for the Presidency,
and, at heart actually desired his defeat,
Men who were opposed to the annexation
Of Texas, the great issue upon which tbe
battle, last Fail, vas fought and wor; and
who are, at this moment, plotting an OPP
position, TO be carried on indirectly if not
directly, agains, the present adminsra-
ton.
The proceedings or the Convention
which nominated Mr. Polk and recognized
the question Of annexation as a princlpa
issue in the then approaching contest, in.
ficted a serious blow upon the power and
influence of these lien, and babe fair TO
emancipate the party from the shackles in
which ii had been held by them. In or
der to break the force Of that blow, their
first object was to cause the the defeat of
Mr. Polk, and thereby to bring discrcdit
upon the Convention, provided it could be
done without their being exposed. But
having failed in that it next became their
object either to rule o! to ruin the admin.
istraton Of Mr. Polk: and if they do not
succeed to their satisfaction in the former,
then they will most surely, in some form,
or undc- some pretext, attempt the latter
(Cries Of "We'll watch them.") For they
are well aware that Republican admins
tration, successfully carried on independ-
emily of their control, would be the death
blow to the re-establishment of their form
er exclusive and injurious ascendency,-
(Appause.
| know they claim to have made great
eXertlons and sacrifices in order TO gain
this State for Mr. Polk; but this is not so.
Their exertlons and pretended sacrifices,
in regard TO this State, were to secure
power to themselves, which might, in the
event Of Mr. Folks success, be used by
way Of coercion upon his administration;
or which, in case Of his defeat Chat being
their real object) would serve as resting
place, from which to commence their op-
eratlons anew.
My impartial mode of dispensing Off
cal patronage did not satisfy the class Of
politicians 10 which have alluded. Alb.
'olute control was what they wanted, and
nothing less would answer their purpose.
Nor could they forgive the part taken by
ny friends and myself, in forcing them to
, nublic eynresSiOn cnntror, tn tbo;r ro,l