Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-08-25
For THE CoNsrITUTIo WufG.
TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.
No w.


Which Of the two, Adams or Jackson. has given
tue strongest pledges of wise and faithful admins
tration of tue duties that belong to the Presidency?
What constitutes a pledge, of the character referred
To? Qualifications and services. The qualifications
OF the two have already been put in contrasts nd
is fearlessly assumed that appropriated mind will
hesitate IN giving the pr eIence to Adams. Let
how the account stands between them as 10
Services
In reference to the office for which they are named
can there be doubt TO the superior services of
Mr. Adams For forty years, viii! but short inter
val, he has been engaged in those public employ nents
abroad and at home, which were best calculated from
their nature TO render him familiar With the official
duties of a President Jacksons pursuits. the
frary, have beeu such 10 exclude him from prac-
tical knowledge of those duties; and at the age of
sixty II is too late 10 the acquisition OF that
knowledge. IL Jackson gained tue battle of New
Orleans, Adams has served you faithfully for forty
years Shall the fortunate result battle, the fruit
Of few weeks services outweigh in the judgments
of the people of Virginia whole life of useful abors
in important civil stations? If this be the scale of
rewards, farewell 10 Peace and its blessings How
foolish for TO devote his life 10 the toilso,ne
drugery of civil duties! Let him at once buckle on
his armour and draw his sword since it is 10 that and
mat only, he must look to win the appreciation Of his
fellow citizens. But yet prepa, ed to avoo this
pernicious doctrine, The parz ms Of jackson care
fully avoid all discussion principle. They content
themselves will, shouting sfIuzZa for The Iero.,'-
My fellow citizens, wisdom and experience have left
us koinely but a valuable adage, "Lei ,ceN enough
diane" You have already had the benefit of an &C
tual trial of Adams. Why dismiss him to try another?
In The result, you nay lose bur cannot win. Do you
play this losing game in private life! l for
you no.
Bit you not satisfied with Adams. WIZ, |
pass over now the foul ca!unny of his getting of
lice by "bargain, intrigue and management" If the
Combination thought they could balance that account
at present without loss TO themselves, persuaded
they would be glad 10 compromise. No man who
respects his own character, your justice and de;es
iaiion of unmauiy prosecutions i'll ever again recur
Of CJIpn- nc
aviiat are yonr other objections to Mr.. Adams? He
has recommended, you say, lgh, houses of the
In plain language, an observatory. That is, JeGer-
son having caused all the instruments necessary for
snch an establishment to be procured at an expense
OF fifty thousand dollars, Adams recoplmen,s the
building OF a house, TO cost about ten thousand in
order to render the instruments available and thereby
recVe rs from Tue COLONIAL badge of looking To En-
gland for our astronomical science.-He has recon-
mended the establishment OF an University in the Dis
trIct Washington, with the consent of Congress-
selected and set apart in the city of his name site
for that purpose; and Jefferson and Madison recon-
rDended its improveInent.le is friend to Internal
lmptoY ement. Jefferson and Madison both declared
that the exercise of this power would have the happ
est influence III preserving the Union The latter in
'96 recommended its exercise in the establishment of
national road through the whole extent OF our conn
try from north to south; and the former did actually
exercise il in the great road from east TO west Con
Eress have hundred instances done the same. The
reope of the United States who made the Constitution
have interpreted it and over again Think
yoa they will have President who differs from them
II majority Of the American people should even be
wrong, who, | pray, is to sit in judgment on theme
The minority? Reason and the Constitution both
proclaim that the majority shall dcci,, and that their
decision shall be soyereign-But Adams claims autho
rify by dtclne rrgtE So at least our Governor
Giles. Alas Virginia, how have you fallen. The time
fas been that when you spoke acted, your sister
States offered their spontaneous respect Your pru-
dence, your dignity and your patriotism, stood spon-
sors for this manage But how is it nowa Your Co
vernon with wilful purpose descending to grovcl
ling Misrepresentation of the words of the Chief Ma
gstrate OF the United States-and with an mpious
nOckery seeking to peryer simple declaration of his
respect for the solemn obligation of his official OATH
into foolish and reasonable assumption of power
Let my fellow citizens relieve ourselves from the
imputation of participating in this abasng act by an
Indignant frown on its author
W hat other objection has been urged against Mr.
Adams That he has said that he has oyer TO appoint
Ministers during the recess of the Senate So said
Washington: said .JeTerson and SO SAID Madison
ana hlonroe--and they exercised the power--the Sc
nate OF the United States, argument, dccidag that
II was necessary AMI constitutional power.
But Adams, il has been said has received more of
our money than he entitled to. A reference to
Rionroes allowances settled By Congress thease
will show that Adams has received less than be did
Tor the same services Can you Adams with
ont censuring Monroe and the Congress who thought
The allowances but scany justice to hirn'
have now, ! believe, gone the whole list of
objections 10 the present incumbent: let turn our
attention 10 those against his competitor. To recount
The whole OF these would be TO write volume. /
shall coniae myself, therefore, to OF the most
prominent. He has excluded Legislature from the
Hall of its sittiDgs. lie has Tresteu paradcd through
the streets under file of soldiers and threatened with
the gibbet, the venerable Judge Of National District
lie has noultngy told the Chief Magistrate If State
that he had right to issue military order willie he
was in the field He has abridged the liberty OF the
Press. lie has disregarded the writ of labeas Cor
pus, designed for the protection of the citizen from
arbitrary oppression He has waged war against
Un1ftr oDgy of 10 hog
exercised the power Of life and death OIL prisoners in
contempt of the decision of his fayorte tribunal an
s'Indepenien court martial" He has openly directed
tire officers under his command TO dsobey the orders
OF the President Of the United States. lie has threat
nncd to the halls of the National Legislature to
cat off the Of Senators who presumed inquire
inio his conduct. He has ni sted DEATH and ignorne
nious and degrading punishments, upon hundreds Of
militia, against all necessity and against all law And
he has deliberately announced TO his eoun(rymen that
q lio NJ ,zillal II