The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-03-06
FAREWELL OF Ex.PREsIDENT TYLER

President Tyler intended 10 remove from the
Presidential Mansion on the afternoon of Mon
day, determined TO call on him there for The pur-
pose of bidding him respectful farewell; and
General John p. Van Ness was applied TO in the
course OF the day, 10 address him on the occa-
sion, on behalf Of the assembsge. That gen
ueman promptly attended and informally deli
vered TO the President the following brief ad-
dress:
Ma. President You are about leaving the seat Of
government for that OF your retirement; sure oder
ing the helm of state for the plough Of the planter
exchanging the tolls and turmoil OF the condition
for the tranquility and eDjoyments OF the other. On
behalf of this numerous assemblage, and, am proud
to say, at their request, presume 10 address you
few valedctory words deemed appropriate to the
casicn. II, in doing So sir, | combine somewhat of
courtesy or compaisane~ with undenable truth, the
former will be to the latter what the polishing instru
men is 10 the newly quarreyed diamond the nature
Of the gem not changed thereby although lis beau
ty and value are enhanced. We are truly told that
great mans struggles with the storms of fate const.
ute sublime spectacle 10 the phosophic eye. II is
equally certain that the graceful and digued descent
Of distinguished merit from exalted public station
according to the mandate of fundamental public law
presents beautiful one. In fact each has lis legili-
mate sublimity.
The head of State, in departing from those sgita-
ting scenes where rival aspirations and the collisions
Of eontendng parties, parsans and pretensions have
long surrounded and harrassed him whose public
character and duty created him arber for the i'm,
fal Of
regardless of every consideration except those of
right and justice where the angry and turbulent pas
sons and ambitions OF selfish humanity, excited by
disappointment seek redress or relief for supposed
injuries, in the indulgence Of bitter and vindictve
reyngs and unreslrained excuses /; must hail his
own withdrawal from them with a satisfaction truly
joyful although he will still consider the martyr
fortunes he has undergone the sacrifice whish yr-
tue, greatness, and power bound to make for the
good of discordant, feeble inconsiderate and often
incompetent race, consigned for time, to his pater-
nal care and protection. But Providence kindly or
dams that, although he be temporarily subjected to
the reign OF SANDER and the shafts of vtuperaye and
noisy Pronunciation, the DO serous tempest will pre-
sently subside, calm consideration will succeed, and
consolaory truth will presently prevail virtue, iort
ned by It's own pure purposes will triumph over every
fierce and ruthless attack and he finally passes to
condition of calm cemposure sweetened with the
conviction of having invariably discharged conscien-
tiously his arduous and oppressive official duties
Here, sir, history takes up the case; and having
faithfully recorded the attesed facts directs the rum
pet of fame to announce them to an admiring world
Posteriy will decree that justice before withheld
1t Is thus, sir that the other hand the noble mind
receives the grateful tribute due to it, and on the
other, future generations enabled to profit by
those great examples and lessons which philosophy
teaches by the records of past events The light Of
ilustrious deeds Is not doomed to be hidden under
bushe;" its beams will irradiate the whole nelli-
gent world, and in time, penetrate the darkest re-
gions. But sir, refer to events and circumslan-
stances familiar to your own experience, merely in
admonitory anticipation of their agreeable fruits and
consequences We come not to weary you with re-
trospections-it is only to bid you cordial FAREWELL
to give you the passport of good wishes to that
retirement where the of the past will be sue.
ceeded by domestic endearments where you will
reap an abundant harvest of bssful reflections and
recolleclions. You cannot forget what ue do know
and posterity iciH know, your many important ser
vices in various public stations, crowned by the hap
py termination and compromise of savage and bloody
warfare, and still more dangerous, impending hostl-
ties by the acquisition for your country of vast and
splendid additional public territories nd domains,
and by the consummating extension of our amicable
and commercial relations around the globe
Whilst, nevertheless under such favorable circum
stances you withdraw from the political stage YOU
will not regard with indifference the perspective of
your country's greatness. You will necessarily, in
Decd view her career of glory auspciously guided by
the hand OF wise, vrtuous and patriotic successor,
from less elevated point but still attentively and
with the same intensity of interest that swellea the
bosom Of the former guardian of her fortunes In
fine, sir, you will have copious fountain from which
to draw the ertilizng moral irrigaons of your fu-
ture iiie Let me tax your patience and that of my
respected auditory, one moment longer. 1t no doubt
Is observed by you and them that what have said is
OF general character contradistnguished from local
politics or any reference differences of that kind
among our municipal population. But as to their
feelings on the subject of your departure and that of
your family from among us, / can confidently saw
they will not lose their strong sense, ill., addition to
their personal respect Of the Inequalities and en oy-
mens extended TO them under your auspices and en-
enlargement; and should events again call you
among u.s. your reception by US will testify the truth
of this assurance
In concluding Gen. Van Ness said in effect, that
in the early part of his address he had compared the
language in which he might express himself to the
polishing instrument applied to the gem it was it.
self no gem. He then repeated respectful vale
diction.
The President in reply, taking up the closing re
marks OF Gen. Van Ness, said "You say, sir, that
the address you have made me is no gem. You do
yourself injustice it is gem, polished by the hand
of friendship, which will ever sparkle rare upon my
heart" He then proceeded to return his acknowl-
Judgements to bis friends and abiding to that portion
eInar Of u.