Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-11-17

- W tAcAAiS "a tI
nessee, at present in the Senate of that State, raised
with one exception a solitary voice against the pas
sage oftho resolutions lately adopted by the Legislature,
denounciDg the administration, and laudiug Gen. Jack
son, In the most extrayagont terms. Col. Williams
was once in the Senate of the U. States; was in III.
late election, n friend Of Mr.. Crawi ord, and in 1928,
was elected 10 make room for Gen. jackson. AT tina;
time, the Enquirer of this place, deplored that such a
man as Col. Williams had been sacrificed for Gen. J.
and expr essed its hope that the Legislature of Tenncs,
see might not regret the exchange il had made OF Col.
Williams for Gen. J. What it thinks of the matter
nuw, we are not able TO say; but Col. w il!iams made
an able argument against the Tennessee Resolutions.
extracts from which ill prove gratifying 10 the reader
Gas TO the suggestion, that many measures of the
ADMINISTRATION are ru,nous to the best interests of The
country. this charge Is too general. If there a,e
many measures OF tins character, it is a duty which we
owe tn our constituents To point them out, and sley t,air
ruinous tendency: And in this way arrest tue progress of
the ruin which awaits Us, by raising the indipua,i ion of
the people against the authors of those measures. And
we fall far short OF our duty If we do not take this course.
ana 1 wan mos, chceriu!!y unite with gentlemen i'm ex-
hioninS 10 pmbiicscorn, any or all of our public ooen,s
u may DC WicHediy concerIed in sacrificing the best
interests OF the community. II one of our fellow citizens
nCnaIseu WIZ 'he commission of crime against the mu
hfc'Pai laws 10 order TO bring HIM TO punishment, YOU
must SPECIFY IN The charge, whether he has been ruiltv
OF a breach of the peace. or larceny, or a homicide. Il
wii not DO Ia Charge an individual with having commit
tu HbduSs VI all SUITS d CFtneS-it YOU do. the pppp1n
viii saythat the man Is Innocent, aud YOU are ca!uinnia.
tors-so 1t IS with cur public agents. II we charge them
win mrny' or hsorts OF crimes, and do not specify, the
people VIII say th's is a mode of proceeding, contrary
TO tue letter and spi'it OF our free iastitu ions. Thai
our legislature, Instead of attending 10 the business we
wanted them 10 transact, have become the false accu-
sers OF other public agents, and for their false clamorw we
will pronounce against them the sentence of condemna
ton which they desire us 10 pronounce upon others.
beg gentlemen TO unite with me in preferriup speciGc
charges, and adducing proof, if TO be had, in support of
hnn mr. If IA q ,utI rDt 1nec,-, -.
Cahnot go with them. Having been absent. I know
but very little OF the history of the politics of the coun.
try for some time past. Since my return, | have heard
OF dne measure which is called an administration ma,
knre: | refer 10 the t~oooiienS bill, befs-a he last Gun
gress. ain decidedly opposed to t,,af measure: and il
gentlemen Will so modify this resolution and specify
that measure, as hostile, in our opinions. TO tLe inter
et OF Tennessee, and clo,he the argument in strong
But respectful language, | wall vote with them. a3
aud always have been opposed to high duties on TO-
reign goods, or IN other words an anti.tariT man
Whilst | know that I am sincere and homes, i, ,,;o
opinion, am willing TO believe, that others who
think differently, are influenced by similar con
siderations. II is illibcral TO suppose otherwise in tho
absence OF testimony. The rate of duties to be i'm
posed on foreign goods, presents an important question
IN our political ECONOMY. That distinguished man AT
the head of the State Department.. and many oItars
of our most enlightened statesman. are in C,vnr ofhint,
dnlies, or OF what is called he american sys,eD,. 81
ehouSh I nave heard VIZ. Clay advocate this system
with powerful arguments, and with IA matcI,iess cIc-
qnence, yet my early opinions remain tue same.
Rave no information as TO the opinions OF Mr.. Adams ON
ihis subject. But I know that a mart oF hie c,L;no,
opposed TO the tariff; aad an inIiscr;mipa.n cLorna
against the administration, that they were in f,vor or
the tariff, would be doing great Injustice, and 7 wiU
not consent tot. Gentlemen are treading on tickiish
ground, IN attempting to consisn to infatny all those
who are, or were in favor of the tariff. bem them IN
remember tIat Gen. Jackson voted for the tariff and in
ternal Improvement also. And The last tariff bill passed
both houses of congress by The votes of Tennessee mem
beers. cannot but besiow 4 passage notice on The chm.
geS IN Tennessee, on This subject. ask pa rdon for i'll
Producing myself in this portrait. When was in The Sc
nate of the U. States, | was denounced as a radical ana
anti tariff man. 1t was objected 10 me, that I was by
birth, education, in feelings and in politics, a southern
sIuan; and for these reasons, was thrown overheard in
! my political voyage. Gen. Jackson was my SUCCESSOR
He was up to the hub a tariff man, and for Internal
Improvement by the general government. and was
Z therefore much better suited 10 represent a western
state than I was. | would not surrender the coovic
tons of my best Judgment To a momcDtary and artiG.
cfal exciteinent| met my fate with cormposure-
The tariff bills past by the votes Of General JaeF.op
and his colleague, Mr.. Eaton. And / have lived TO see
a total revolution in Tennessee, on the subject of the
tariff. Almost every one is nor on my side. ne
are all dnti-inyiD;-and / sejoice 10 see so many OF nv
countrymen converted, to what | consider, the tue
faith. IL seems 10 ne Just, that they siruid now give
me nbsOlui01 tor my political hercsies, AS most o.: them
have embraced my cree. There is 10 other authcs;.
III in Tennessee Which can exert ii.at power. eycen,
themselves. Mr.. Eaton, with whom I got along, whilst
lie was my colleague, with much harIuoov..I feel az
surcd, has been thoroughly converted on the subicr,
of the tariff, as well as in relation TO the great primo;
pies of military law, which divided the President and
Senate. i'll the last reduction OF the army. PERTAINS |
Rave gone too far. have no certain evidence fiat
General Jackson has changed, either as regards tho
tariff or internal improvement. There IS mach discus
sfDn IN the country, and various statements on ll,,e
s'thJect, but what IS The truth ofthc matter, have no
information. Whatever may be his opinions. he has
q right to those opinions; aud if his mind has UNDERGONE
any change, there can be no question bnt il is tie rcsult
0t The convictions OF bis best Judgment, and |, for one
stall rejoice TO learn that he rs a convert. TO what !
consider the true doctrine. Whatever notions General
Jackson Mr.. Adams, or Mr.. CLAW may have enter
tanned m this. and other important subjects, I am dis
posed to believe, honest, and were founded with the
s'ngie eye TO the public good. l deprecate intolerance
N politics, as well as in religion; and il is n !, maxim
10 apply the rule of tie common law, (t!rat all men are
Ionoc'nt until the contrary is proved 20 The motives
and actions of public men. regret excnedinIy that
the legislature Of Tennessee is called upon to stbs,o,-
tate the charge of high crimes aud misderneanors. pe
fcrred against high officers of The government. L there
not some doubt, ~ TO this being the proper FORUM
Would 1T not have been better, that the charge Of brj-
herr and cnrrnnfion si,nnld hnrn hnon ..I.LE -,