Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-08-18

Fayette county, held on the 2lst OF June
1880, having adopted sundry resolutions
"a copy whereof is herewith transmitted
in relation to particular affairs of the
general government, and the subscribers
having been appointed a standing com,
mittee of correspondence to promote the
sentiments and opinions there expressed
by all fair and honorable means in theil
power, in execution of the trust thus con-
fided to them, beg leave to address you,
in this way, on the present occasion.
B fore the committee proceed to in
vite your attention on the specific objects
of the several resolutions adopted as a.
foresaid, some preliminary observations
appearto be proper. In any review which
the committee may take of past events,
it is far from its purpose or wish, again
to excite those feelings of personal strife
and party animosity which too strongly ly
marked the late presidential election.
1t is to be hoped that, in most, if not all
instances, those feelings have been sub
dued and have given way to determin-
alton dispassionately to survey the actu-
al condition of our public concerns, and
to firm resolution to advance the true
interests Of our common country. Such
review is only profitable for the pur-
pose of guiding and controlling our judg-
ments in the application of future exer-
tions to the discharge of our duties as cit
izens Of republic.
The present chief magistrate Of
the union was inaugurated under auspi-
ces extremely favorable to restore har-
mony to an agitated country. lie was
elected by a respectable ma ajority of the
people. He had authorized the cXpec-
tation that he would place himself and at
the head Of the whole nation instead of a
party, his memorable declaration to one
ofhis predecessors, that party was mon
ster which ought to be crushed. He
had avowed sentiments friendly to the
leading interests of the country, and es-
pecially the American system. He had
given the pledge ofhis votes as senator
ofthe U. States in support of some ithose
interests. He had proclaimed himself
the foe of corruption and friend of the
purity ofcongress, and therefore opposed
to the appointment to public office of
members of that body by the executive.
So important did he deem this latter OBJ
iect that he expressed an opinion that the
constitution ought to be amended to pre-
vent the evil. And so prone did he profess
to consider the human heart to the love &
abuse of power, that he permitted his
friends repeatedly to declare, with his
silent appreciation, if not positive sane
ton, that no man ought to remain i'll the
presidential office longer than one term !;
and that, if elected, he intended to give
proof of his sincerity by setting the first
example of such voluntary limitation.
If the president had when in office,
administered the government upon the
principles which were thus professed to
reach it, he would have disarmed those
who had opposed his elevation. They
would had no grounds for dissatisfaction,
and would have been deprived even of
pretexts for opposition. For the ques-
ton, as to the particular individual who
shall be invested with the highest execu-
tive office of the nation, is of fminor impor-
tancc, compared to the principles, aims,
and consequences of his administration.
That in every essential particular, the
principles and avowals so announced dur
ing the canvass have been violated i'll the
administration of the present president Is
incontestible. The committee will only
on the present occasion, request your at
tenton to some of the proofs Of this asscr-
ton.
Has the administration sought to sup
press party strife Instead of the for
mer parties which existed in this country,
separated by sincere and honest differ
cncc of opinion, in reference to vital
measures of national policy, new ''mon-
ster" has been brought into being and
nursed and nourished by the present adj
ministration. The basis of this new par
ty is the exercise ofthe elective franchise
at the last presidential election. All
who voted for the present chief magis-
trate are attempted to be arranged on
one side and all who, in the exercise
of a freedom of choice, secured by the
nature of our institutions and indispcnsa-
BILE to their preservation and success, sup
ported the opening candidate, arc de-
nounced and prescribed as composing nc
part of the state. Instead of placing
himself at the head of the whole nation,
the president has endeavoured to orga-
nze the first class into a personal party
and applied to the other system OF
odious prescription. And the patronage
of the nation, committed to the charge OF
the president for the common good, has
been exercised as if il were personal
and private possession, which might hi
lcgitimatcly employed in rewarding hi'
friends and punishing his cncGics, re-