WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1827
104
mild Administration man, and given to the aforesaid editor, re- puted author of the aforesaid forgery. I will not say that it was to compensate him for any extraordinary fidelity. I will not suppose that we have arrived at this point, when the patronage of the government is to be employed in rewarding a libeller of the fame of Jackson. It is a fact th:it an editor residing at Lewisburg, Virginia, a steady Quaker, would have been a more central appointment. These things may excite our wonder, but they cannot ensure our approbation. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Ohio, (Mr. Wright) has so honored me as to call me "one of the Maste1· Spirits of the Op]Josition." [Here the Speaker intervened, interrupting Mr. H. announcing to the House the expiration of the hour for the con- sideration of resolutions. Leave was granted by the House to Mr. H. to proceed.] Yes, Sir, I have been designated one of the Master Spirits of the Opposition, and the gentleman a!leges that I can probably disclose the mysteries and probable course of the Opposition. The gentleman does me honor over much. I do not aspire to such distinction. It is too flattering an elevation. My aspirations are far. more humble. Would th2 gentleman, by such a designation, place me equal to such men as Crawford, Jackson, Cheves, and Macon? Oh, no! ! the irony is too severe. The gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Dorsey) is much disposed to harp on the string of General Jackson's letter to Mr. Monroe, on the subject of his Cabinet, and says thRt it was recommended in that letter to strangle the monster party. I presume that the idea intended to be conveyed in that letter was, that the unsub- stantial distinction of the names Federalist and Republican should be destroyed, and the distinctions founded upon principles alone should obtain. I infer this from the test of office which his letter required. In that letter he substantially states, let patriotism, talent, and integrity, be the passports to office. And further it states, that the President ought not to be the head of a party, but the President of the Nation; and that it is fit that the tree should be judged by the fruit. These sentiments, in relation to party distinctions, are substantially the same which were recog- nized some years since by Mr. Jefferson, in a letter written by him to the late Governor Barry of Kentucky. That gentleman has regaled us with. many fine traits in the present Administra- tion; nor has he forgotten as authentic evidenc·e of its purity and ability, some revelations from the State Department.
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