Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-08-06
TO TIE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.

TO TIE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.
COuntyynlen and Friends,
When the Citizens of a free State are about
to COnfide the execution of their laws, the care
of their revenue, aud the command of their for
ces, to single person, the occasion requires the
exercise Of public deliberation, and the eleya-
ton of Individual merit.
These constituents of national prosperity il
has been the object of all, and the fortune of
few, elective governments To secure. The
Constitution of the United States, the work of
sages and heroes Contains the best prov sions that
have yet been devised for their attainment, an
evidence of the wisdom of foref,tliers, and
of the mo.nentous nature of our own duty. To
discharge that duty faithfully, is the only proof
can give of beng worthy of the privilege il
embraces, or OF being true to the interests of
freedom and pOstcrty.
At no period of our history, has there existed,
greater demand than at present, for integrity,
reputation and abilities in the Chief Magistrate.
In the most powerful and eniighted quarter of
the world. c2tcus of Enperors and Kings
threatens to exterminate by secret fraud, or by
open force, the principles of free government.
Already its defenders are its martyrs; they sigi,
q in dungeons, bleed upon the block, aud des-
potian eSuiting in the slavery of Europe, turns
with rage an vengance towards the equal
rights and popular institutions OF the United
States. Happy, if while our prosperity excites
their hatred, prudence shall enable us to de-
81 their power.
The dignity OF the station. as well as the i'm.
portance of the crisis urges to Il careful and n
just selection. Our country, at first the asy-
iurn of few prosecuted patriots, has risen by
force of liberty and enterprise, into mighty
empire, conprehending rich and extensive
territory sustaining the freest popua ton of the
world, exhibiting magical development of
physical and intellectual wealth; presenting a
tower of strength to display the standard of
freedom and to resist the march Of oppression;
pillar of fire in the daI * waste of human viu-
lcnce and servitulc, to confouui the arts of the
tyrant, ami to cheer AMI animate the hopes of
the patriot.
1t is one of those facts, which are both obv-
Gus ana mysterious to the minis of men, that
when the interest of nations reach a condition of
danger, or seem to approach toward state of
ruin, the emergency is sure to afford some in
dividual OF consuin;natc abilities and extraordi-
nary virtue, firm enough to meet the tcrrors of
the crisis, and strong enough to arrest avert
them. THIS reelection can hardly fail 10 present
itself to the minis of those, who after attentive
iy considering the situation oftiie United States
"A strong but solitary fortress of freedom
will fairly estimate the services and character
of Gen. ANDREW JACKSON.
Real greatness requires ornament, the lus-
trc of virtue is obscured byenbelshnent. We
shall not, Fellow Citizens disturb your atten-
ton or detace his q ory, by lo!,ourcd recital of
his exploits, or glowing representation of his
virtues. The generals he defeated. the armies
he vanquished, the provinces he conquered the
savages who fear him, the citizens who bless
him, they only can do justice TO his fame. You
cannot have forgotten, for the Union trembled
To ITS centre, when with handful of men, he
met IN arms the conquerors of Spain and the
champions of Brtain-what enbatt!ed numbers
marched to destroy, what scattcrc;! remnants
fled TO escaDe hi'n-liow he withercd the pride
Of the enemy and exaltcl the hearts of lie coun-
trymen.
From thus brilliant point trace the stream OF
his glory back to its source. Like the mighty
river, whose waters, his valour died with your
enemies blood, it will be found, to hold a course
extensive and majestic, to- pass through regions
fair and illustrious, and 10 spring from fDun-
tain elevated ami pure. Yes. fellow -c;tzens.
To perfect the claim of General Jackson upon
orr admiration and gratitude, II is enough to
re MEMBER that scarcely was his infancy lost e,
patriotism, or unknown to fame, that his early
youth devoted to his country, and tIat as
OH almost in glory as he is in years, he fought
an blcd in the cause of the revolution.
His military services, however splendid, can
not eclipse the integrity and prudence of his CT
vii conduct. or the dignity AMI honor Of his pri
vate character As a in lge, he was couscien-
tious, Independent and pure--as a legislator
modest, consileratc AMI faithfuI-as a man he
is noble, generous, plncabc and brave-as a CT
tilen, IN every stu ltion, and in various capa-
cities he has been distinr iiished for ardent pat
riotisfn. energy Of conduct, and perfect disin
tcrestedness; determined to discharge the du-
ties, regardless Of the advantages ofo1icc.
This prc-e'ninent for public services and
personal rn,rt, the disccrnnIont of h, friends
AMI con 'atri)ts, invalr the i,uraiIcd rno1csty
of luis retirement arI presented him a,n to his
coratrv, uh I'll ttc for the highest honor Won
can confer, an NOR worthy of a nations graft
tn &c, &cqusl to JdcksDn's merit. The great state
of PENNSYLVANIA, renowned for steady republic
cin attachments, all ] for the vigorous apd in To-
fatigable developcmont of a christian spirit .
which bring down the Charity of heaven TO the
earth, AMI makes ''te vii l.fess blossom like.
the r1se,n SION devote itself to tie Interests Of
Ja"ksou: aul wherever the Mississippi flows
his friends triu'n, chant
Several other citizens, high IN o~jc, W pnDu
la-ifv are Offered as competitors ~ vr,r ohuicc
We cannot suppose that the people of ~ .giuia.
- 'tc co1Sec-atcd to- patriotism eminent for
int iliTenr"' and familiar with gre;thess, arc
ei"' 50 pnaF'c"I or intoxicated Nv the fame o.
Jackson. In weighing the merits of all, 2,