Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-08-15
For TIE CONSTITUTIONAL WEIG.
TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.

Thrust be obvious TO every observer o pas sing events
that the present aspect of political affairs highly un.
propitious IT not alarming The time has arrived when
neutrality may be regarded as crimnsi-as Indicating
insensibty to the ofour happy Institutions
sordid and selfish determination 10 hazard nothnr
for their preservation. With these convictions ask
leave TO submit for your deliberate consideration some
of the views which have occurred me as WORTHY OF
Your notice As have wish 10 aid them by anv
Fictitious circumstance, and equally unwilling that
their influence should he impaired by any unjust sus
piclon OF The quarter from whence they come | offer
you pledge of ms sincerity in designating bv nv sjp-
nature the pursuits of my lrie no office seeker
believing that no public station can be more honorable
than that which already enjoy as an independent far
Fer. feel that am exempt from any improper bias
and that if theI7 in the views which pre
sent to you. they of the head and not of Tie
heart In addressing you trust shalI not forget the
respect due TO my fellow citizens, bat shall AT the
time speak frankly of and things as thew an
pear TO me. The circumstances under which we are
called TO act forbid fatery, or even forbearancc-
The times are dsemPered. The omens are threaten
ing: and IL oehoyes every man. conscientousiy and
earlessly TO take his station and TO DO his part By
such means only may avert the serious evils which
are lowering over the future.
beg leave emphatically TO ask Of you what has nro
dnced the extraordinary state of affairs TO which have
aiiudeG Three years ago all was TRANQUIL. The yes &.
sci OF State glided Peaceably along. The adninisrra
ton OF public ailarswbch then conducted in the
same spirit as nowreceiyed the general approta,inn
OF tue American people, and concord and good viii pre-
vailed throughout the Republic. political rnen-
mum seemed 10 have arrived But what is now orr
condition? Discotd and all uncharablenes, are eyer.
where prevailing. The characters of orr most iilps-
iri0us citizens assaed with ruthless barbariiy-
The press, designed a great auxiliary TO virtue
teens with alsehood and defamation so that the gull
IS no longer fear IFS lash Every house and every ham
sci divided against itsc!fons portion OF the Union ar
Tayed against auothcT-the fearful and impioug oes{
ION OF dIsuDion in quarters. the subject Of
daily and familiar Conversation Our TeCislatnre do
D0uncng the General Government for xercisinr DOW
CTS winch have been unquestioned before since its
toundatton-and while the Governor of one state tbre
TENS to call out his divisions TO wage war arainst IN
federal authority C. the Republic, another
dsorganiziDg sentiments tho anniversary of orr in
dependence, thus rendering them the more hejno,,s
These among the signs Of tie times which 1s;f,
one in saying that the aspect Vt affairs IS nnro1i-
tlous, If not alarming. And we'll NAV we press Tho
inquiry what has produced it, and what is the source
al these bitter waters2
The answer is plain We hayc Gerel The com
HaratiVoly insignificant question Of who shall be our
iresdent, to absorb every other. An officer descued
ny The Constitution to be our servant IN execute orr
"IIi' mas become already object of more copse-.
Gueuce IN our eyes than the best interests Of our coun
trY-among which mean to include liberty itself aod
dTr free institutions, which are now considered he
some as cheap sacrifice 10 tie success Of parfirn
lar individual Is this doubted If So turn TO the fol
lowing NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. TO Jackson IS above all
other considerations" This was boldly proc I,ned bv
On Editor whose NECESSITIES forced hin 10 acknowledge