Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-05-21

lie, ought to be acceptable TO the opposite Soc
TON, to the one which claims his birth or resi-
dencc."
lJ' The Committee, appointed at n Meeting of
thc Citizens of Richmond to report the measure s,
which in their opinion may be expcdient to be adop-
ted in relation to CONVENTION, are now rea-
dy TO report ACKNOWLEDGMENT request Meeting of
the Citizens at tue Capitol, Tuesday Ere,,ing
s,eri, at O'Clock, to receive their Report.
TIE Presileat, Ge.,. Jackson and .lTr. Lo,urie.
The following reflections on the late disagreed,
ani extraordinary controversy between these gem
1lenea, though made after the agitation and excite
mcnt which it produced, have considerably abated,
for that reason, in better time for temperance
aud upartiality. Oh no former occasion that
remember, has an incident so merely PERSONAL, in
trinsicay uninportant, asitated the public mind
violently, and been followed by consequences, of
general interest, and of disagrccable
Tine high standing of the parties the predisposition
of the public feeling TO catch IRE from any cause,
connected with the approaching Presidential cleo
ton, and the decisive influence which il conjcc-
turcd this controversy would exert that event,
than sufficient TO account for all the effects
to which it has given birth. At any time, dispute
between public men of high standing and reputati-
on, has its share of ntcrcst-but il must involve o.
ther than private and personal consequences, to at
tract the uttcution of whole nation, and induce it
take sides with the other Of the dsputants.
The Importance of this controversy is derived en-
trely, from the influence it was expected, and is
still expected to have on Gen. Jackson's pretens-
to the Presidency. His friends have, therefore,
met it with zeal commensurate with its interest
whilst those who opposed to him President,
have drawn from the character of his correspon-
deiice with MIR. Monroe, and from his department
since its discovery, strong additional for OBJ
lection. II is not be denied that this correspon-
dence throws much light upon the political tcnets Of
Gen. ia ckson-and as he is ayowcd ca ndidatc
for the Presidency, and supported UPON the ground,
among Others, OIL being decided Democrat this
espondcncc IS in that respect, discovery of The
last Importance. We are persuaded that the Repub-
lcans of this country, are not prepared, with Gen.
Jackson, to pronounce "names to be bubbles" to
avoid in every selection to Office Party and Party
feelings" and to " extermnate the monster, party
spirit" This would be direct admission, that the
distinction between the Republican and the Federal
parties, without difference. 1, would be
virtual declaration that the long and arduous con-
test between the two, was contest not for princi
pie, but power; and that the civil revolution of 1900
ELECTED end more important than to hurl one
satt of men from powof, simply for the purpose
of giving it to another. Could the Republican par
ty acquiesce in these opinions of Gen. Jackson, it
would be entire abandonment of all the tenets,
whose manifest truth and justice first brought them
into powcr-and of that whole system of practical
politics. which they have been pursuing their own
honor, au, to the prosperity and happiness of the
country, for move than twenty years. To say that
party spirit is a monster which oushf TO be exter-
minated" is to place the administration of John
Adams, an equality with that of Mr.. Jefferson !;
and the obnoxious, tyrapnicdi of the first, on
level with the simple, Republican, and mild govern
Inent of the last. 1t goes the length of saying
that difference of opinion as to the most eligible
mode of conducting the affairs of the Nation, is nei-
ther of recommendation or objection to office,
and that government ought not to be regulated by
fixed political principles, and directed by those who
possess them, but that il ought TO be conded with
dscrimiua ton, to all who possess the general
recommendations of love of country, and abilities.
These opinions of Gen. Jackson involve this absur-
diG and contradiction-that if an Elector deems
the adoption of a particular measure or system of
measures, of vital consequence to the country, in
hi, selection of the Individual who is to represent
him in Congress, he ought yet TO pay regard to
the political opinions of him for whom he votes but
on the contrary, "should avoid party and party
feelings, and select the man, who is freest from il,
without reference his political opinions this, or
any other subject. This is the only fair mode of
testing the propucty and the absolute necessity of
party distinctions and party spirit-and he Tho
does admit both, after subjecting the question
this test is prepared to deny likewise that there
is a right and wrong in all qestions'--and that
the pursuit of either, will equally conduct the
game end. The right of instructon-the particular
rno;ia OF interpreting the Constitution OF the United
States, by contracting or expanding the powers OF
the General tIovernnent-aud the effect of either
pon the reserved rights of the several States, and
che liberties of the peope-tlese questions
w,iic have from tho beginning divided the opinions
Of men, aad If there be any difference between GOV
any such thing as principles in politics,
would really seem be of the serious and mo-
rncntous consequence. They have accordingly in
theory and practice, always been esteemed so, by
the people of the United States, and have coustitu-
ted the standard by wh:i they measured the merits
of their Statesmen judging by the one class wor-
thy of their confjsnce and Offices and the other to
he unworthy cf either. twas reserved for General
Jackson detect the folly of these distincous-to
discover that the "names,' which grew out Of them
mere bubbles"--and that party spirit, origi-
mating in such causes, and embracing within its
scope, the policy of the country from its first indie
pcudcncr-whch wisest have esteemed
necessary to keep alive the vigilance of the people,
and to compel their servants to act up principle,
was : a monster which ought to be externinated.'
This subject naturally presents three points for
consideration. /. Tine innocence or guilt of Mr..
Lo,yfie. Z. That Of the President of the United
States; and 3. The character and effect of the
correspondence between General jackson ard Mr..
Monroe.
]. When Mr.. T.owrie goaded on by the taunts
and defiance Of the newspaper partizans of Gen.
Observation-Disclosures by the friends of the Presi-
dent, AMI tacity rcproachcd by his own, first
ed the existence of particular letter from General
Jackson MIR. Monroe, and the fact that this let
Ter had been read by the latter to himself and his
colleague MIR. Findlay, at certain time, and to
answer a certain purpose, there was very general
risposition to believe hm-not because men nsti-