Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-03-06
A sfGS OF PENNSYLVANIA.
THE FORCE OF REASON.
From the Pfts5urg Journal.
TO OUR PATRONS.

derable time past, our partiality for
GENERAL JACKSON and his cause,
as candidate for the Presidency, has
declined. We owe it to our patrons
to state as briefly as possible, the
cause of this change, and the reasons
which induce US to abandon it alto
geiher.
One ofthe principal reasons with us,
for supporting the cause of General
Jackson was, that we firmly believed
in the charge Of "bdrgain and sale"
brought forth against Messrs. ADAMS
and CLAY. In the light in which it
struck our mind, accompanied with
the fac, that Gen Jackson had great
err number of electoral votes than Mr..
Adams, we had come to the conclu
sion that corruption had produced the
result, by placing Adams on The Pre-
sideniial chair, in exclusion to Jack
son-and the appointment of Mr..
Clay confirmed the opinion In this
state of mind we have heretofore sup
ported the cause of Gen Jackson
with honest intentions, but, as we are
now convinced, under false impress
siOns.
We have lately given careful pc.
rusal to the address of Mr.. Clay, to
the people of the United States, on
the subject Of the "bargain and sale "
We have perused it with an honest
spirit of inquiry, and are compelled
reluctantly almost, compelled-to &C
knowledge that its conclusions are ir
resstable to an impartial mind, can
didiy disposed to seek the truth. TO
this address of Mr. Clay are appended
a number of statements of members
of Congress, of high reputation, and
unimpeachabie integrity, who were in
the house of Representatives at the
time Of the late presidential election
And also a letter from that jealous
and distinguished friend of America,
General LA FAYBrTE Since the pub.
Iication of this address, we have also
read a letter from Col. THOMAS III
Benton, one of the Senator'S of the
United States from the State of
Missouri. and one of the mosa ardent
supporters Of Gen Jackson. Enter
tanning, as we had hitherto done, the
! strongest suspicion against the politi-
cal integrity of Mr.. Clay and Mr..
Adams, in reference to The late Pre-
sidential election, and being decided
ly, 1--WE had almost said reluctantly
convinced of the perfect innocence of
both of them, we hasten to acquit
our own conscience by awarding to
them the Justice they merit. We can
not--we will not give currency to
malignant SANDERS, knowing them to
! be such.
In respect TO the alledged bargain
and corruption" between Mr.. Clay
and Mr.. Adams, we are now con
WINGED that this paper has done them
much injustice. We owe it, to those
feelings Of morality and honor, which
every man ought to hold sacred, to
rectty the error into which we have
! been betrayed, and TO do justice to two
distinguished men; who, but for the
charges alluded to, would have stood
highest in the list Of American wor-
thies.
Some Of the over jealous friends OF
| Gen jackson may be displeased with
the frankness of this declaration-if so,
we crave the privilege Of asking a
few questions. Would they require
US longer to insist upon the truth of a
charge which we verify believe to be
false? Is there any thing in the cause
of Gen, Jackson which demads OF us
such a fragrant violation Of moral prin
cipie? If any frieRd OF Gen Jackson
will give Mr.. Clay's address and the
accompanying documents, calm and
attentive perusal, and then give utter
ance to the unbiased dictates of his
conscience, he cannot but concur with
US in the sentiments we have ex'
pressed In the course of q few weeks
after this, our paper will afford him
an opportunity of doing this--as it is
our intention to publish the address and
documents, for the benefit of all those
who are willing to read, and have the
moral courage TO express their real O.
! pinions.