Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-10-21

~e 10 omit passing tribute To one, whose public
services have been so eminent aud iji,istrious He
comes recommended TO us by the highest conside
rations lie was born republican. Even when
an orphan, he was in the Revolutionary ranks, re-
s's'ing oppression and struggling for Independence.
IN mat school, ms republican principles we're first
called into action. lie has ever been distinguish
ed Tor his fidelity to his political associates his adj
hetence TO his anc.. principles, and his devotion
TO his country. II to have been the peculiar
and happy destiny of this great man, 10 appear on
the theatre OF public life, whenever the rights or
interests Of his country in jeopardy, whether
from foreign invasion civil dangers TO the consti
tuition. He first appeared in our of indepen
dencc--next in the political revolution Of 1900
then g'oriously resisting foreign invasion in ISl4-
and now he appears TO rscue our constitution from
domestic enemies. We do not claim for General
jackson the distinctions Of the academy-could we
DO 80, our country would have lost the benefit OF
his active and useful public services. But we do
claim Tor HIM those higher attributes which am &c
tive pubic life alone teach, and which can ne
Yer he acquired i'm the halls Of the University.
knowledge OF mankind and practical Acquaintance
with ihe business OF government We also claim
Tor him the advantage OF having been educated in
his own country, anidsi the various duties of civil
and political life, and Of po ssessny habits Of think
ing and principles of action exclusively American.
We claim for him, above all other qualities an in
tegrity never known to yield TO interest nr ambi-
tion, and 4 judgment uncIouded BY the visionary
speculatons Of the academican. Called to preside
IN our national councils, by the spontaneous voice
oil his fellow citizens, lie will have induce
TO compromise with political necessity in his APP
pointn,epts 70 public office. His cabinet will be
composed of statesmen It sound republican princi-
pies, unqucstioned integrity and distinguished tai
ents. Undcr his administration, the vigour of our
constitution will be restored, our national affairs
will be conducted with honor abroad and dignity
at home. and we sha terminated this angry
poIiticaf contest, which has been brought upon our
country, by vain attempt TO sustain an admins
rahon placed in power, in opposition TO the will Of
the majority. Our collisions will cease and under
the happier auspices OF republican administration
we shall become once more prosperous and u
ni,ed people.
Ftom our national concerns allow us fellow cti-
zens TO direct your attention to considerations
which, although OF general Importance. are more
particularly interesting to citizens of the state
oil New York. While il is the duty of every
member o! our contederacy, 10 watch with jea-
lousy The progress OF federal power, ought not
to forget, that our state has relatively deeper
interest than any OF her associates, in preserving
the consiitu lional sovereignty oil the states We
must thereiOretore be pardoned Tor boldly dcnounc.
Ing every federal act which cT(er.- with our do
mesuc concerns, and every attempt oi the federal
authorities 20 controu the political destnies of our
state.
The ircemep of this state must see with astoni-h-
ment and Indignation attempt to use the Su-
prene Court OF the Union an instrument i'm our
elections. They could not have anticipated this
gia;ng outrage on the constitution of our state and
boii defiance OF public opinion This step was not
necessary to make the supreme court an
object OF just je9lousy to the states. Claim
ing, as that court does, the right of deciding all
questions OF power between the federal and State
authorities, the constitutional powers OF the latter
have been already boldly curtaled by this ornnpn-
tent tribunal. OF the necessity OF sustaining d
competent federal Judiciary, there can be but one
opinion. But this can never be realized while
those who entrusted with its admiDsi ratjun
rningle in our party collisions. Ii has been well
said' tina; sit poisons justice when politics ncture
its current'-a doctrine universally sanctioned
by the common sense OF mankind. So manifest
were the evils which we had experienced in this
stat from This unnatural union OF the political and
Judicial character, that in framing the new cen
stitution, cur judges were absolutely prohibited
from appearing as candidates for popular favor
without resgning their comm issions. The mo-
yves Tor this precaution must iorcibiy occur to ev
cry man at all acquaiute; with the influence
OF Judicial authority. He who decides on tho
life, liberty, and property Of his fellow citizens
holds dominion over private interest, which, III
once permitted 10 influence Our popular elections |
would overthrow all personal indie pendsncs, cor
ruPt the sources OF power, and breSk up me v-.y
foundation OF popular government. But if such
is the power oi Judge pending All election, no "
revolving must be the consequences Of a deiea.
Imagine for moment this disappointed candidate
OF popular favor, fresh from the hustngs ascend
ing the tribunal OF Justice, stung with the NOR
LITIGATION OF defeat, and called upon pronounce
Judgment on the life, liberty property Of one
who had opposed his ambitious views
Under our constitution, Judge can r.turn
TO the judgment seat with the angry and inaarned
passions OF disappointed ambition. Judge Thonp-
son, however, assumes in his federal cb ,racter
the privilege OF violating the spirit oil the const
tuition his native state, and Presumes, while !
actually committing this violence, TO solicit the |
applause and support Of his fellow citizens. they
had at least right to expect that he would have
qualihed himself for the station, by resgnng his
commission, and relinquishing the life snnuity |
which he now enjoys under the patronage OF the !
federal government. The concuct OF the s,ip,eme
Judges must have astonIshed men of all parties !
There is, indeed, something melancholy and a.
farming in the recent degradation OF this august
tribunal. One associate justice condescends to |
mittee OF vigilance; another, ia his zeal to serve
hi patrons, violates the spiri, OF our constitution;
and even the venerable chief Justice OF tn union,
the able and eloquent apologist of the elder Adj
ans, in the celebrated case Of Jonathan Robbins |
alter retirement OF twenty-eight years, once
more mingles in the party conflicts Of the day.
and throws the weight of his authority into the
scale OF the administration. But our chief busi-
ness Is with the distinguished Judge who propo-
ses TO place us doubiy under federal protection
Ii is not wish TO dcpre cate the talents or re-
spectability Of Judge Thompson. He must par.
don us, however, for expressing our regret and
establishment. that one, who was the offspring OF
republican patronage, should volunteer against
the cause OF state sovereignty, and appear as a
candidate among US, almost q viceroy Of feder.
al authority.
In opposition TO this federal delegate, VIC fear
lessly offer you. fellow citizens, a Distinguished
re publican who, amidst all our politica; yicis,i-
udes, has been faithful 10 the principles of the
civil liberty. Mr.. Van Buren, is universally and
dIy9UfaCeOusIV A.