Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-02-16

vigor of our republic, and in the midst of
profound peace. We should, indeed, do
great injustice TO the virtue of our people,
'i'c circumstances of our country, and the
value OF our government, If we intlulgcd In the
Idle Tear, that an open attack upon our libcr-
tics, made with any military force which Gen.
j. could probably command i'm the course of
h's Administration, would bring us under the
yoke OF his power. These are not our apprc-
tensions: VIC would bid IL proud defiance to
tiis power if he should so dare our liberties.
Nor will we do him the injustice to charge
his ambition with any designs at present, on
the liberties of his country, nor withhold our
acknowledgement, that they were assailcd
by others, We believe he would promptly
and boldly draw his sword TO defend them.
But, &c have no security for the continu-
ancc ot peace, IN whatsoever hands the gov
eminent may be placed; and it is not unrea-
sonabic to think, that i'm the hands of a man
al military pride and talent, and Of ungovcrn-
able temper, the danger of war will be i'll
creased. A foreign war may come, may rage
with violence, and find Gen. Jackson at the
head of the civil government and comman-
der-ln-chief of the land and naval forces
DlSsentIcnt views among the states may IL
rise, controversies grow up between the State
and Federal authorizes. as disscntions and
controversies have heretofore arisen; and who
'hcn, we pray you, can answer the con-
sequences OF that spirit, which said to
Governor Rabuii, achen Inn M the field y0u
""re no GVfhorJty TO issue military order?
Nci'ect on thus question we bescech you--
oath" peculiar structure OF our government
on the collisions Of opinion, and the threat
cuod collisions OF action, both III peace and
war, which have already occurred between
the State and Federal authoritics-and then
Cell uS, Whether the fear is altogether
visionary, that the first foreign war, scri-
nuSg wagcd against tho United States.
lvrl! Gen Jackson their chief, would bring
danger at civil discortl, dissolution of the u
Aion, and death to the hopes of every free
government in the world
We say nothing of the danger of civil dis.
cord, even when no foreign war should aniict
'l+: though the retrospect of a few short years
Wou'a teach us that such danger is not ina
*'n1'y and that the slightest want of tact
~ is management, the least indulgence of
-I.ror ON the part ofthe Chief Magistrate,
i"lEht niiame the whole nation, and iirht
,Ic funeral pile of freedom.
There arc dangers of another kind. If
we arc correct in the detail of offences com
united by Gen. jackson against the most sa-
cred principles of our government, what will
be the moral effect Of the direct sanction OIL
ven TO these offences, by rewarding the of:
tender with the first honour of the nation?
Gan we preserve our love and reverence fol
institutions, which we suffer to be violated,
not only without censure, but with applause?
W Ill not our affections and our veneration be
transferred from the despiscd laws and CON
stiLution, to the honoured hero who has abu
sed them; from republican simplicity and viz
tue, TO military pomp and glory? viii YOU
not, IN fine, by such example, lay the sure
foundation of that moral deprayity, and adj
InlratlOn Of arms, which must soon reduce us
to the condition III which Greece was ensla
we'd by Acknowledgement by Caesar.-Enp
land by Cromwell. France by Bonapartc,
and in which we will aSsuredy find some
future jackson not too fastidious to accent
the protlered crown, and erect Il military des-
poiism on the ruins of the last Republic.
We appeal to- the people of Virginia. to saw
what there is in the present party politics, so
aliurng on the part of the opposition, so
irightiul on the part of the Administration, as
10 scduCc them to the fratcrnal embrace, or
drive them under the protection, of such a
man as Andrew Jackson! We ask an an
>Wcr to this question, not from their often
d"d pride, nor from the pciudice which at
'achneut to party never fails to begct-but |
ask it from their love of country, their
love Of truth and vrtuc;-Wc ask it, after a |
deep and dispassionate consideration of the
true state of the questiou-after a candid es-
innate Of the little to be possibly gained by
the rejection of MIR. Adams,-the incaIcula- |
bile nischcts which may probably attend the
Success of his arrival.
If YOU indulge the faint hope, that, under
the administration of General Jackson. the .
irliutc which agriculture will pay for the en-
enlargement OF domestic industry and enter
prise, will be somewhat lighter than at pre- |
S"nt,--wc ask you, first, whether the hope is
not groundlcss, next, whether it is wise
t. insist OH enjoying he profits your estates
to 81" ufermos' farthing oftheir fancied val |
a., al t!c rj,k Of having your free allodial
lands converted INTO military tcnures, or ficfs |
of the crown. ltyou are fighting the battles of
Gen. Jackson in this political contest, with
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