Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1848-09-14
MARTIN VAN HUREN--DANTEr. wrH.
STEH--aENRy CLAY

In the Of the debate in the Senate Of The In,
ted States, which resuad in the rejection Of the DER
son FIRST named Minister to England the folIowin,
sentiments were uttered
MIR. Webs,er's opinion of Van Buren,
81 am placed here TO discharge duty. am M,
10 go through formality--I am 10 perform sub,,an
,ial and responsible duty lam TO airise the presee
in matters OF appointment. This is my constitutional
obligation and shall perform il conscieniiously and
fearessy. am bound TO say, then, sir, that iof one
do not advise nor consent TO this nomination Ida
not think il fiji and proper nomination and nv rea
sons are found in the letter of Instruction. written by
Mr. Van Buren,, on the 20th ofJuly. 1929 to MIR Me-
Lane then going 10 the Court OF England, as Amer
can Minister think those instructions deropa,ory
iE high degree. 10 The character and honor Of The
country. think they show manifest disposition, In
the writer Of them, 10 establish distinction between
his country and his party place tina, party above
the country 10 make interest, AT foreign Court for
,ha, party. rather than for the country to persuade
the English Ministry and the English Monarch, thai
then had an interest in maintaining, in the Unlsd
States. the ascendancy Of the party which the wr.
ter belonged. Thinking thus Of the purpose and OBJ
jeci of these instructions cannot be of opinion hs,
their author is proper Representative Of The United
States at that Court. Therefore il is, that propose
to vote against his nomination. II is The FIRST time,
believe. in modern dpomacy,i il il certainly the 6rs
time in history, in which Minister TO foreign Court
has soughtto make favor for party al home aeaus,
another. has stopped. from being the Representative
of the whole country, 10 be the Representatives Of
party And as this is the first instance in our history
OF any such transaction, so intend 10 do all in my
power 10 make il the last. For one. Sc, my mark
of disapprobation upon it; contribute my voice and
my 10 make it negative example. To be Stunned
and avoided by all future Ministers OF the United
States"
'.Sir. would forgive mistakes; would pardon the
want of information would pardon almost any
thing where saw true patriotism and sound Amer
can feeling but canno, forgive the sacrifice oI,hs
feeling to mere parry. cannot concur in sending a.
broad public agent who has not conceptions so large
and liberal, to feel, that IN the presence OF Foreign
Courts, amidst the monarches OF Europe, be is to
stand up for his county that no Jot nor title Of her
honor 10 come to harm in his hands. that he Is not
TO suffer others TO reproach either his Government,
his country, and Tar less is he himself 10 reproach
either; that he TO have no objects IN his eye but A.
merican objects; and no heat IN his bosom but an
American heau and that he forget sell, to forget
parry, TO forget every sinister and narrow feeling ia
his proud and lofty aachmen,o the Republic, whose
commission he bears.
"Mr President, have discharged an exceedingly
unpleasant duty, the most unpleasant Of my pGhis
lie. But have looked upon il as duty. and il was
not 10 be summed And, SIR, however unmporianl
may be the opinion Of SO humble an individual as my
sell, now only wish that nigh, be heard by every
independent freeman IN the United States, by The hi
fish Minister. and the British King. and by every
Minister. and every crowned head, IN Europe while
standing here ID my place. pronounce my rebuke as
solemny and as decslvey as can, upon this hrsi IN
stance in which American Minister has been sent
abroad, the Representative of his parry ard no, as
the representative Of his country"
Mr. Clay's opinion Of Van Buren,.
81 have another objection to this nomination. ! be-
lieye, upon circumstances which satisfy my mDd that
TO this gentleman is principally 10 be ascrbed hs IN
PRODUCTION oflhe odious system OF prescription for the
exercise Of the elective franchise, in the government
Of the United States. understand thai the sys
TEN which the party in his own State, OF which ne
is the reputed head, constantly acts. lie was among
the first of the Secretaries 10 apply that system to the
dsmission of Clerks in his Department, known 10 me
10 be highly meriorious. and among them onelwho is
now Representative in The other House. II IS de-
esable system. drawn from the worst periods OF The
Roman Republic and ii to be perpetualed y
The offices, honors and dgnes ofthe people were 70
be put up scramble. be decided by the result o.!
every Presidential election our government and instr
lutons, becoming inioerable. would finally end IN a
despo'ism as memorable as that al Cons,aniinope.'