Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-08-20

inVaiuanie right, and fettcred and manacled, they
are feauceo 10 the lowest state of insigniicancc,
and vassalage strip the people of this
inva'reble right, and we eau ly and will,
Tuth say, IN the unadorned and autiful iangu
OF the sacred volume, "the sceptre departeth from
Judah, and the law-giver from between his fcet"-
Inc hopes and expectations which the citizens of
that State had londly cherished, that this proud pr-
vilege, would again be vested in them were by the
sudden, ana almost inexpicable adjournment of the
Legislature, cruelty blasted-their disappointment
was kee" humiliating, and moftifyng. Every Re-
puolican throughput the United States, lin sack
c'oth and ashes, IN the deepest AMUSEMENT of
wounded spirit, covered, in shame his face with his
hands, when he beheld the dearest and most sacred
liberties of the citizen, nay, the sovereignty of
The people Frustrated at the feet of unhallowed
oition aud designing faction.-aIetternch,P ozzo di
bofSo, and the Editors of the Quarterly Review,
the unhoiy Apostles of despotism, will clutch with
eascruess and triumphan, but mpious delight, the
materials with which they have been furnished by
ue Senate oil New-fork, to Confederate aud sustain
their next denuncaton against the Rights of Man,
ana TO support their sage political deduction that
" the sovereignty OF the nation, is a contemplate
sophiSn and AN absurdity in itself."-But although
the proceedings of that body dseracelul to New
ork--athoush the frequent interruption of the
ocrs, IN the expression of their opinions, on a deeply
interesting and vitality important subject-although,
the constant "call to order resounded through the
iiouse, anu the attempts to influence and even to
a'scountenance the independent discharge of the
outieS OF the representatives., and the freedom of
debate, by the misses and applauses of the Snoh"
that thronged the lobby aud galleries of the hall
OF legislation. Although the personal abuse-the
severe crininatiOn-the fierce denuncaton of the
artitices, intrigue aud corruption to which certain
men mad resorted to sustain a ''sinking causc,"-
although the rights of the people were nsuIted and
violated, and the voice OF the people was sti,led and
drowned amidst the Earring elements and rancorou
tury I'll political controversy-although all these Cir
cu,nstances manifest dcpravity of morals a want
Oh patriotism and virtue, destituton of political
honesty, integrity and principle, hitherto supposed
To De the unerrng criteria of national depeueracy
and the inialiible presages of national degradation
Yet the bosom of the philanthropist and friend of
liberty, dwells with delight upon the reflection that
there still remain few names in Sardis that have
not denied their garments-who have NOT dissraced
the republican party-who have STOOD firm and
unnaunted, IN this hour of trial, the champions of
the NATIONS CAUsE-and that th. people sf that
state, who fought with heroiSm through the bloody
and glorious scenes of the Revolutionary war tn
secure TO themselves their natural aud inherent right
oil scii-Sovernnient, view with disgust and execrati-
on their acknowledgements. They will not, passive.
ly and quietly submit the deprivation of TN, ir
poitical privileges, but will fsariessly and indie
pendently express their sentiments on the annroar
ing PRESIDENTIAL election the most momentouis and
agatng crisis which this country has perhaps ever
been destined to witness The day at which, a few
iactious and designing men, could WELD without
lear or alarm, the destnies of millions-at which
the voice of the people was dsrega rdetl-and the
VIII OF the people cohtemptuously disobeved-at
Which the cltiZens OF country, could be inSulted
degraded ana enSlavcd-at which public opinion
winch now proudly sways even in Great Britain, the
councils oil her senate, and the resolves of her cab
net, was despised and contemned has gone bv-we
trust IN God, forever.--A more enlightened ezra
has succeeded Ignorance, ancient supcrsttion
ana old preJudces have been inundated on the al
tar of human reason. The slavish dogmas or pas
| Ipt.rS aud
before the light of political truth The genius nj
freedom mas burst asunder the chains of vassalage
ahu the manacles OF savery--and like the emblem
OF the "ancient dominion," rramples corruution
ana tyranny under foot. The exuIiaiion oil the.
friends OF MIR. Crawford, has been great and un-
bounded-the success of intrigue and faction over
the constitutional rights of the people has been
Vauhtlngiy proclaimed from extremity of the
Republic to the other. But the awful day of retri-
button Is at hand--and their 'strumpil' shall be
short-lived and transient. Already have one mil
non SIX hundred thousand people, resolved to as
sert their rights and maintain their prvilages-aI-
ready nave their wrongs awakened spirit of fierce
Indignation in the breasts Of their disfranchised and
I"suted citizens of New York-that spirit which
encouraged them to endure the priva tons da nqers
ana hardShIps OF military life, and bore them glo-
riouSy through the "valley and shadow of ea tn i'm
'he struggle Tor independence; that Spirit which
prompted them to encounter the tremendous power
OF ngiandi IN l'f6--to resist her uthoty--tu van
winch liberty ever obtained in any age, or in any
country over tyranny and despotisn. That spirit
Is again aroused, and who shall dare to oppose the
VIII oil an outraged nation? Who shall dare to con-
troui ITS mighty power The peridious guardians
OF the public righs-have already been dragged be-
lore the stern tribunal of public opinion. Their a
buse of the sacred trust confided to them-tbeir
tfeacherous dereiicton of the solemn and high du-
ties which they had to discharge-the disregaTd of
the pubic voice and public wishe,-and their out
rage on the great and holy principles on which our
government rests and shall endure, till time shall
DC no more-have al risen up in Judgment a nainst
them-theIr acts have been reprobated and con-
demncd-thcir names have been heard with exc
Grafton, and held i'll abhorrence-We wish that
the "niantle of oblivion" could cover from the ewes
OIL the world, the proceedings of the Legislature of
New ork.-No! let 'snfany snatch then, from
OBLIVION let the disgrace and degradation which
an indignant people award as the merited doom of
those faithiess men, who, regardless of the strongest
Obligations reposed in them, stand recorded on the
page OF our country history, a lasting monument
OF the terrible punishment which awaits the man
VINO daTes To oppose the sovereign will of the peo-
ple and to trarnple on the liberties of the republic
we envy not Mr.. Crawford the fatal "triumph'
which his partisans have obtained over the consti-
tutional rights of the people of New-York. We
have always supported, and shall continue 10 sls-
tain the professions of Mr.. Adams-but if he could
not be elected without infiicting deadly and NOR
tai wound upon the Liberties of the American natl
ON, peFisi-forever perish the brightest hope, aud
expectations of his fricnds-perish the recollection
OF his distinguished services for thirty years-of his
ardent devotion TO the interest and welfare, and
prosperity of his country. May his genus--his
splendid abiIities-hs profound political knowledge
his unbleushed character-and his sterling in
tegrity-be buried in the deepest obscurity, of
private life-or even in the tonb-ere he should