Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-01-25


This charge. not so strongly. howe.
yer. as has been here stated, was made,
for the 6rst time, pending the Presiden-
tial election. II was promptly met, and
challenged by Mr.. Clay, and deserted
by its supporters. They rallied again
after the election, gave il form some
what varied, drew to its aid some impo.
sing circumstances, and, at last, gave
il the public sanction of Gen. Jaekson's
name. Mr. Clay again publicly denied
il, called for he proof. and challenged
enquiry. No proof has appeared to
sustain it, no enquiry has been institut
ed, and now, in all its phases, it stands
reprobated, by a body of proof, so
strong and so convincing, as to require
from the least charitable, its open disa-
vowal, and from the most suspicious, a
candid acknowledgment, that they have
done injustice in even thinking il pro5a
Bile.
II may not be unworthy OF notice, as
one of the means, by which the public
mind has been prejudiced and infl,med,
that opinions The most offensive to re-
publican people, have been unwarran
tally aud uncandidly inferred from
some of the presidents communications
to congress, and grayely imputed to him
as, doctrines in his political creed. He
has, on one occasion. not perhaps With
strict rhetorical propriety, used the ex-
preston, 'palsied by the will of our con-
sttnentso-in reference to duties en-
joined by the constitution. This phrase
has been torn from its coptext. misin.
terpreted, and used as the authority.
upon which, the president is charged
with the hersey, that representative
owes no obligation TO the will OF bis con-
stituelts. On another occasion. incau
tiouslv taking il for granted, that every
one would understand, that the high
obligation of an oath was derived from
heayen,--hs has again perhaps, without
much felicity of phrase, made an obvi
Gus, though not avowed reference to
his oath OF office, as imposing an obi
cation above allhuman law.--and this
reference is tortured, into public a
vowal, of the odious doctrine, that bis
political power, was jared,rino. Ifthese
bad been the taunts and the ratings of
anonymous newspaper scribblers, they
would have been deemed unworthy of
this public notice. But when such char
ges are seriously made and reiterated,
by men holding high stations in the 60
vernment, and exercising some infu
ence over public opinion, they cannot
be too strongly condemned.
Mr.. Adams, it is said, is friendly to regu
istion of the tariff OF duties, with view to the
encouragement Of American manufactures, and
this is GENEROUSLY urged agains.' him, as Sc
rious objection, by these who support the cleo
ton of Gen. Jackson.
This objection seems to have been treated
before the public, as if Mr.. Adams were the
founder OF new and odious doctrine, and the
father of the measures 10 which it bad given
birth. Nothing can be further from the truth.
Not single act Of tho Government, on this
subject, has its date within his administration.
And so far is he from being the founder OF the
doctrine. that il is traced to the earliest and
purest times of the Republic, ayowed and &C
ted upon from the foundation of the Govern
ment, when the Father Of his Country pFesi-
ded over its destinies. Before the adoption OF
the Federal Constitution. the power OF regula.
ting commerce. and imposing duties On imports,
belonged to the State Governments; and such
OF them, as deemed il expedient, 50 regulated
their tariff OF duties as 10 give encouragement
to their manufactures. The Constitution trans
ferred to the Federal Government, BY express
provision, the power Of regulating commerce,
and of imposing duties. An act, passed at the
first session OF the 6rst Congress, held under
the Constitution. advocated by James Madison,
and signed by George Washington, on the 20th
of July, 1889, contains the first tariff OF duties
on imported goods laid by the General Govern
ment. and its preamble recites, that it was me
'cessary for the support of Government, for
'Phe discharge Of the debts OF the United
estates, and che encouragement and prosscfisn 81
manufactures" This doctrine was acted upon,
b. every succeeding Administration. by the ell
der Adams, by Jefferson. by Msdison, and
by Monroe. The policy Of protecting and en-
couraging manufactures was recommended ~
them all; the tariff was increased from time 70
time, with view TO that object; and yet, no
champion of the Constitution, though many
and bold and able there were, always at their
posts. ever challenged the authors OF thes'
measures, asiRvaders of constitutional ground;
until, during the administration of the last Pre-
sldent, when the fathers of the Constitution,
having most of them retired from the held OF
action, amember from vIrginia suggested, 10
Congress, the want Of constitutional power TO,
give protection to manufactures.
% this question VIC forbear TO enter the had
of argument; and content ourselves with say
kaC that the powa ~ m 0paas IN regulate the