Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-01-26
.Kew- York. January &c.

Governor Clnton's message to the Legis-
lature on Thursday last, with the docu.
ments accompanying; would Gil FL columns
OF this Gazette. The message itself fills
page in the Albany Statesman, End the afi-
davits and certificates are 20 in number, all
tending to show, that an improper interfe-
renee has taken place on the part Of the Of
6cers OF the general government in the cleo.
tions OF this state The governor observes.
that this has been the case for number Of
years and that, at the last election, this
influence was manifest in variety Of shapes,
& in such very exceptionable manner, that
he considered it his duty to refer to it in his
message to the Legislature in November
last. The whole of the message and docu-
ments have been printed in pamphlets, and
will also reach the public through The co.
lumns of mauy of our papers. It is, hoy.
ever, important, that We give The eanslu.
ding part OF the message. which follows:
Gazette.
tits, conceive, impossible to resist the
untavorable conclusions which must be
drawn from the body of testimony now SUBJ
mitted to you, making full allowances for ex.
aggeraton or error, for the influence of pre-.
JUDGE and the operation of improper mo-
tives. And admitting that considerable
portion of the allegations may be sue. essful-
ly refuted, yet still there will remain SUIT
hcient number Of strong and established
facts, to prove concert of exertions on the
part OF the officers of the national govern
ment-in the Navy Yard, the Custom House,
the General Post Office, and in the Judicial
and some other institutions of that govern
ment, operating in our local elections: and
! which demonstrates the existence OF an or
gained and disciplined corps, and the
obtrusion Of extraneous influence, for the
purpose OF promoting the ASPIRATIONS of
ambltion-of securing the possession of au-
thority, or Of breaking down the power Of
the state, by the encouragement of intestine
divisions. And this is a case in which the
maxim-Hs orders the commission efa Grim.
5vho does not forbid It, when ii is IN his
power-msy be justly and emphaticallylap-
piled. The least intimation from the pro
per quarter would have effectualy prevented
these notorious and alarming evils
| 10 all sincere friends of Republican Go.
vsrnment, and such, gentlemen, | believe
| you all 10 be, this statement must present
subjects for serious reflection. Without the
existence ofState Governments, il is impos-
sible for US to enjoy the blessings of free 60
| varnT ent. And without national govern
ment, we would be involved in wars at
home. and have but feeble security against
| attacks from abroad. Both are essential 10
the freedom, the safety, the prosperity, and
the honor OF our country. The National Co.
vernmeat is, from the necessity OF the case,
armed with controlling authority over the
revenues and physical force Of the country.
In its military and naval esta
the arrangement of the National domains
in the disposition of its diplomatic inter-
courss-in the collection OF taxes--in the
immense patronage which it derives from
the numerous and lucrative Offices in its gift
and in the alluremen!s which are consequent
y held forth TO ambition and cupidlty, we
perceive the foundation of an influence
which may be arrayed with a force almost
irresistible, against the independence and
stability of the State Governm ents. Ii may
be truly observed, that in proportion to the
population Of the United States, no govern
ment has more numerous and efficient means
Of directing and controlling public opinion.
And when we consider that few Of the
States have any funds or resources except
what are derived from taxation; that the
compensation Of their public officers is com.
paratively small; and that the heads of
their executive and judicial departments
have been even sometimes induced te &C.
cept Offices under the n national government,
subordinate in importance, but superior in
emoluments; we must at once perceive the
difficulties which the state authorities might
have in opposing the improper influence of
the national government. And when we fur.
Their consider that in all probability there
would be no unity OF views or coincidence
of exertions operating at the same time. in
the states, while the national authority
might make its approaches by singing ost
N, rticular etafes and ADVANCING against