Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-05-25

DTSFeub CIuOhdtiOh. 1hS hha eAeo
ed with Mexico, and he had received evil
dences through party in Mexico, that they
had proposed negotiations for the purchase
of California, all of which designs l labor
ed to de feat :"
He had been called from private retire.
ment to fill the Office Of Secretary of State,
and it was only after repeated solicitations,
combined with sense OF duty to the coun-
try, that he had consented to accept the
office. He however expressed want of
confidence in professional politicians, and
considered that their corruption and time
serving intrigues for office and spoils, would
continually tend to mislead the people.
"The time is past" said he, "when men
shall be elevated by the people for their
long services or talents. The scramble for
plunder is becoming worse every year. The
jealousies Of office-seeking comb.lants will
induce them to compromise on either second
rate civilians, or incompetent military men.
The time, / fear, is past, when the country
is to bo ruled by truly great, experienced,
and patriotic men.
:" We have two extremes to apprehend
under our form Of government, Capitalization
on the one hand, and anarchy on the other;
both leading by different roads to the same
gaol, monarchy, or to the one man power
The impossibility Of filling important offices,
except with second rate men, Of easy pTinci.
Piles, is an evidence of the press in favor of
anarchy; while the continual encroachments
made upon State rights by the will Of a
Congressional majority, indicates cores
ponding progress in favor of Capitalization
an antagonistic principle to all permanent
liberty. We thus find that both priciples
are active, even at this early stage of our
Republic. Neither can be successfully
reached and maintained for any great length
of time, without ending in monarchy, or in
central government.
al think it likely that the days have gone
by when men of great craftsmanship aud
patriotism are to ill the executive Office.
The election of Mr.. Polk commences a new
era for the country, the results of which |
cannot look forward to with satisfaction.
The fear is, that the people will become
passive to the fntrigues of political conven-
tions, composed chiefly Of men intent only
upon personal aggradizement, or the acquisi-
ton Of spois, at the expense of the people
or their government. A system of political
Juggling, having its origin in New York, has
become wide spread inits influence. They
will clamor for any man who promises to
! dispense benefits for them and at another
some new, but not better qualified 1polltItal
idol, or dispenser of official patronage"
At this stage of his remarks torch light
procession passed through the street, nearly
under his window, shouting and cheering as
it went, in honor of Polk. "Do you hear
that" said he. "That same collection OF
men will, four years hence, shout Just as
Justify for new incumbent, though perhaps
inferior to Polk himself. People accuse Inc
Of ambition, and say that my greatest aim
is to be the President. state frankly to
you, what the people and especially the poll
ticians would never believe if publicly an.
nounced,-I would not turn over my hand
to be President, unless some greater danger
or threatened calamity to the country could
by my instrumentality alone be averted. a
man who seeks to have his name 90 down
and stand well with posterity, must not sa-
crifce to the temporary applause of the multi
tude, which from its inability, produced by
biased or Aeeting excitement or passion, is
incapable Of duly appreciating what it would
condemn or praise; but rather resi- ign himself
to the discharge of his highest duties to his
country. to human happiness, to liberty, and
to his God and leave the reward to the just
and enlightened praise of men who shall
follow him in after ages.
"Most men who have advanced to more
or less distinction among their fellow beings,
are too prone to court the popular breeze, to
trim by its course, or to change when it shifts
its direction, vaiuly hoping to base perma-
nent and just fame on the foundation of no
temporary applause, which is as frequently
bestowed upon unjust men and measures, as
upon the soundest policy; and the most
wise, disnterested and patriotic motives.
"My rule Of lie has been to do right, or
at all times to be governed in my actions by
the most scrupulous and conscientious con.
vctions of duty, and without the slightest re-
gard to the popularity or unpopularity of
my course. never entertained thought
whether my course would either please or
dsplease my constituents. | presumed that
they gave me their confidence from convit-
ton Of my honesty; and whenever | failed
to give satisfaction, they would, as they oug ht
to do, discontinue my services. | feel deeply
sensible of the long and resposible trust they
have reposed in me, which, during a public
life of over thirty years, has never been
changed or withdrawn"
Here his eyes flashed with renewed ami
nation, and his cheeks had become flushed
from his excited conversation. Col. Benton,
who had followed up his illberal attacks up.
on Mr.. Calhoun with much personal bitter.
ness, had a short time previously y made Il
violent assault upon him, in speech he had
10 the Senate on the annexation OF
Texas asked Mr. Calhoun if he intended
to reply to it. He said, not at all; that he
had made it point never to notice personal
attacks that silence towards those guilty of
personal vituperation was the best means of
them.
When honorable attacks were made upon
his political views or principles, in which he
deemed the interest of the country concerned
he felt it to be his duty to yindicate them to
the utmost of his power. {" 1t was not for
temporary applause men should act. Per-
sonal contest and triumph were too much of
a gladatorial character from which neither
the victor nor the yanquished could retire
with proper self respect, and nothing could