Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-04-29

birth-righ, of every American cluleh, ana NC
only efftclual shield against oppressIoni with
out law and without necessity.
He imprisoned Judge Hall for issuing the
wru of habeas corpus, 20 release cltizen from
lille gal confinement, and imprisoned two ofhcers
Of the law, for executing their bounden duty
in the administration OF justice.
In short, he has trampled on the constitution
and laws; rendered himself "5noxIous TO the
chas,senents Of civil power, and escaped dis
grace only by The clemtncy OF his government
Are these things SO, and is he nj to'5e the
ruler Of free people? Has he the prudence
and discretion indispensable In the manages
ment of those delicate relations which frequent
" arise between na,i6ns2 Let these questions
be answered bv candid and discerning peo-
pie.
But there are other and controlling reasons,
why, in the Judgment ofyour representatives,
the elevation Of General Jackson would initiate
against the best interests of their country. tie
rs at the head Of party denying 10 the gene
raj government the power of internal improve
ments, aud the protee, ion Of American INDUS
try. In making this remark, we are not un-
mindful Of the fact; ,ha, his par;lzans in this
state make prolessio 10 the contrary; nor can
we be- ignorant tina, their doctrines OF party
discipline, render them subservicn, to the
will of the majority; not a majority OF their
coun,rymen. bu, majority of their party
Where then do we find thc m" ori,y OF the
Jackson party? We answer without the haz
ard of contradiction or doubt, in the states
south of the Potomac What ale the tens,s
of political economy, what the rules OF constr
tutional Interpretation entertained by those
states? Let the legislative resolutions OF ieor-
gia and South Carolina, and the political dog
mas Of Virginia Statesmen, be consulted-lhey
deny IN the broadcast terms, The power OF the
national legislature to construct roads and ca
nails, or to impose duties on foreign manutac~
ture, for any other than purposes Of revenue.
We have witnessed with qualification the call
of a convention of the people for the purpose OF
expressing their sentiments on this all lmpor
tan, topic. 1t has been usual for the republicans
o. this state 10 concentrate public opinion by
the regular nomination Of candidates for cleo.
tive Offices That usage has been sanctioned
by the people and held in just esteem, on &C
count Of the utility Of its practical results. Pre-
vious to the adoption Of the new constitution,
the membeis OF the Legislature usually nominal
ted the state officers, and the practice was &C
quiesced in by the people on the ground OF sup
posed necessity. Upon the adoption OF the new
constitution, The idea had b"come prevalent,
that there no longer existed any necessity for
legislative nominations; that II was power,
the exercise of which haG an ali-contro'llng In-
Hurnce upon our elections; and was much more
safely en- rusted TO the great body OF the people,
and to their delegates chosen and assembled
with all immediate and direct view to that SUBJ
iec,. Accordingly the republican family Of this
state lave since that period nominated their
high officers Of state by convention OF dele
gates chosen and designated Tor that purpose.
That is now the adopted usage OF The republI>
can party. 1t is, in our humble judgment,
founded in correct principle, as best calculated
exaIl merit, curb ambition, and promote the gc-
neral welfare; in a word, as most consonant 10
the wishes aud Interests Of the people. 1t is
consequently with no small degree OF as,onish
meni, that we have during the present session
Of the legislature, witnessed a resumption Of
this power withou, the least shuw of reason or
necessity, certainly without any reques. from
the people, & in our opinion, contrary TO their
will.
General Jackson was nominated to the Pre-
sidency bv legislative caucus al the capital on
the slst day January lasl-a caucus composed
of members without distinct lion OF political Goa
racter except thar Of devotedness to the cause
of "the hero;" and thus the right OF assembling
and choosing delegates to meet and confer up
on this high and import0nt interest, has been
virtually taken from the people We deem i, an
act Of justice to the republican party, and to
ourselves as members of that party, 10 declare,
that neither they nor we participate in the act
Ii is true, that many Of US were present-the
general nature of the call (being 10 the rspub>
lican "members.'' The UNDECIDED objects Of
the meeting (nune whatever had been designa-
,ed) drew US to the scene of action; but under
solemn conviction Of duty we deemed all con>
nec,ion between US and the meeting dissolved,
when its objec, was announced 10 be the nomi-
nation Of General Jackson. We were forced
TO this RESULT. Because nomination to the
Presidency, was the usurpa,ion OF power me-
yer dele gated to US by our constituents. 2. Be-
cause 1t was direc: violation Of the usaees
now established b. the republican party. 3. Be-
cause, with but few exceptions, the members Of
the present Legislature were elected without re-
ference to the Presidential question. And 4.
Because we conscientiously believed that The
election Of General Jackson 10 the presidency,
would be pregnant with DISASTROUS consrquen-
ces 10 our country.
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