Literary Cadet, And Saturday Evening Bulletin

Levi Woodbury.—To shew the inconsistencies of men, and to prove with what facility some of our political characters, are transformed into new shapes and moulds, we beg leave to refer the reader to the paragraph which will be found below, and which was written by Levi Woodbury, in the year 1821, in defence of the celebrated oration delivered by Mr. John Quincy Adams, at the city of Washington, and which was the subject of unceasing criticism.

At that period, so ardently attached to Mr. Adams, was Mr. Woodbury, that he considered that man guilty of a crime, not much inferior to that of high treason, who dared to insinuate, that the then Secretary of State, was not a prodigy, and a man of unparalleled genius. To these opinions, Mr. Woodbury firmly adhered, till within two or three years, when he suddenly whirled around, and came out the bitter opponent of his former idol. But for the proof of the gentleman's former attachment, and here it is:-

"We are aware, that the attacks on Mr. Adams may have been sharpened by causes which do not meet the ear. He has splendid qualifications to fill the highest office in the Union. If some Cataline or his incendiaries, in the strife for supremacy, are already scattering firebrands and poison, it behoves every well wisher to the republic to awake. It is one of Mr. Adams's peculiar excellencies, that while he is second to none in talents and experience, he makes, neither personal influence nor exertion for what should always be the free gift of a free people. The discussion is premature. The election and its various bearings too distant. But in the mean time, if the character of Mr. Adams is destined to be mangled and even crucified to gratify British sycophants or the sinister views of DEMAGOGUES, WHOSE PATH TO OFFICE IS OBSTRUCTED BY HIS VIRTUES; let the tempest rage—

"An honest man is still an unmoved rock,
Washed whiter, but not shaken by the shock."

Levi Woodbury is a man, who possesses talents enough to render him useful to his country; and it is to be regretted, that he has sacrificed all at the shrine of his ambition. Previous to his elevation to the United States' Senate, he was professedly a friend to the administration, and to his avowed friendship for Mr. Adams and the Secretary of State, he was mainly indebted for his elevation. His election was looked upon as a fortunate event for the administration, and it was supposed that he would lend his talents and services, to support all the prudent and wise measures of the present executive. But when duplicity obtains an ascendancy over men, it is impossible to make any calculations relative to their conduct; and the moment that Mr. Woodbury reached Washington, he told his constituents that they had been "hum-bugged;" and soon after, entered the ranks of the Opposition. Secure in the possession of an office, from which he cannot be removed, but by impeachment, till the time of its legal expiration, he now laughs at the wishes of the people, contemns the instructions of his immediate constituents, and obeys with servility and alacrity, the orders of Messrs. Martin Van Buren & Co. But the gentleman's term of office will expire four years hence, and his constituents, will, we think, then teach him they, and not their servants, rule!