Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-10-20
From fLs Political Arena.

From tbs FohtbcdS ATsHI.
n no THE PEOPLE OF NlRGIN1A-No. 3.
E,slI,,- Cifiscns-In canvassmg MIR. Calhoun's
Gt.,ss for the Presidency, IN my last number, /
undertook review the political opinions of every
candidate for that office, since MIR. Monroe, Tor
The purpose of showing that not one of them had
s,nnortcd tho constitutional doctrines which pre-
vail in this State, and that so long as those doc
trncs continue unpopular IN large majority OF the
| Union, for Virginia 10 require IN n candidate tho
maintenance of those doctrines, rs the condition
| of her vote is practically TO annhatc her weight
and influence i'll this important question, as well
| as in many others. The proposition was shcwn to
| be true, as TO the opinions of Messrs. Crawford,
| Adams Calhoun and Clay, and we will now cXa-
mine those of Mr.. Van Buren, and Gen. Jackson.
Mr.. Van Buren, is obliged, by his local position,
TO be supporter of the tariff, Notwithstanding his
confidential friend, Mr.. Canibrclcng, is one of its
most Jealous opposcrs, and has, in consequence,
always had the of the anti-taritf party in the
CITY OF New York. We not left to infer the
sentiments of Mr.. Van Buren, on this point, mere
| ly from the sentiments of his State, but they have
been also manifested by his actual votes i'll the Sc
nate of the United States. Knowing that his own
opinion must conform to the policy Of his
State, and believing that TO be fixed, he even
prompted some of his adhcrents TO cndeavor TO at
| feet the conversion of Virginia from her an,i-tariH
hcrcses and they venturcd as far Us they dared to
90 in pursuit.. of that purpose-whch, however,
further than TO feel the public pulse, both
in the State Legislature AID in some Of the public
| journals.
But Mr.. Van Buren, may he supposed to agree
better with the Virginia doctrines the internal
improvement power, Judging from the supposed in
tcrcst of the Sta'c of n. ork and from tho votes
of her delegation this subject, during the adj
ministrations OF Mr.. Monroe and Mr.. Adams. His
advocates have, moreover affected to claim for him
tho support of Virginia, expressly upon this ground
Notwithstanding their plausible reasons, the claim
Will, on investigation, prove to be unfOundcd. At
any rate, it is clear that if tho doctrines Of Virgil
MIA have his regards, it cannot count either upon
his arguments or his votes.
| In the first place, he repeatedly voted, while Il
member of the Senate, for bills which involved the
constitutional question, and which, on that account
the members from Virginia in both houses opposed.
In the next place, the celebrated veto Message or
| the President, rejecting the MaysYc road bill,
is believed to have been drawn by him, and may
therefore be considered conveying his sentiments
/ on this power in his own language. 1t may be so
considered because if he had not been the author
the imputation would have been denied by some of
the many pipes through which he so readily plays
upon the public year. for the sake of esca PIN the
local rescnimcnt-thc biting crticsms-thc ncon-
venient deductions TO which that paper has exposed
hun: because also of the intrinsic evidence which
the message itself affords that it was distilled in
the same snolz alcmbic his letter on rcsigninp
his office OF Secretary of State-and lastly because
1t is known that for .ong time past but two of
| the Presidents late cabinet had his confidence
| Mr. Van Buren, and Major Eatsn-and one would
almost as soon attribute constitutional argu-
ment to the President himself as to Major Eaton
For these reasons must consider that this
message expresses Mr.. Van Burcn's constitutions
doctrines, and that Gen Jackson has made them
his by adoption. Now what are the doctrines SET
forth in that paper? Whilst it refuses to the peo.
pie of Kentucky the boon they solicited it CON
cedes every thing of Importance which Virginia
has opposed. 1t denies to Congress the rght ia
make roads of local character, but it expressly ad
mts the right to make roads of a national char
actcr; and 1t is the latter, against VIII CHI we have
might and main, contended, and which alone is
worthy of nations concern.
| nn III 4
zcd by Gen. Jackson, and, must suppose, by
! Mr. Van buren,, is quite enough to absorb the
whole surplus revenue of the general government
were 1t ten times what it is, or is ever likely
TO be. 1t is this power which will confer the pat.
ronagc VIC dread-this which, as we believe will
be ever generating new functions and influence u,
the federal Legislative and judicial departments as
well as the executive; and hasten, if create the
dreaded evil of consolidation. These gentlemca
then, IN allowing to Congress the right to pass a
''Judlcous tariff" and TO make Irrational roads
do not materially differ, on these two absorbing
| questions, from their competitors. And if Virgin.
! ia were to expect from MIR. Calhoun important re.
lief from the tariff or from Mr.. Van Buren, an eff
hclent support of her doctrine internal improve
mcnt, she would experience the same disappoint.
incnl That she has already experienced from Gen.
Jackson They too would be found ''to palter with
us IN double sense" not indeed like the witches
IN Macbeth from an innate love of mischief but
because "to keep the word of promise TO the carr
would he r,l'nous TO their own interests.
The several candidates being thus the same or
nearly SO, IN their views and wishes these great
questions, they must be examined and compared in
other particulars, to enable us TO decide on their
relative merits; / will therefore proceed with nv
remarks on MIR. Calhoun's qualifications
have already borne testimony to his talents.
and am equally ready TO acknowledge his public
services. lie was firm and Jealous fellow labour
! er with Mr.. Clay III preparing Congress and the
people to vIndicate the insuted honor of the ma
ton by declaring War-an act which added new
luSlrc TO the American name, when il seemed in n
| tar way OF becoming by-word OF rcproaci-whch
| proved to us The strength of the Union and which
by our brilliant victories at sea, and the rferious
| delcncc OF New Orleans, convinced the world that
our people were as brave they were free The
credit of thus cxalting the national character, and
| The cause OF civil freedom ITSELF Mr.. Calhoun is
fairly entitled to share with naval heroes with
the hero OF New Orleans, and the patriotic states.
men associated with him, and let those who may so
incline seek 10 detract from their merritt am not
the individual TO Join them
MIR. Calhoun also discharged the duties of the
| War Department with great ability. He brought
1t INTO order out of the chaos in which the war had
! lett IT. 1t is true that the Mix contract was made
! during iis administration, but lie seemed entirely
bamecss IN that transaction, except perhaps in not
/ removing MAJOR FaRderventcr and Cen. Swift as
soon rs he was satisfied OF their interest in it, and
OF the other Illegal and suspicious circumstances
attending it.
| But with all these nigh claims to your favor. both
on the score of talent and services still do not
think Mr. Calhoun entitled to your support as the
| next President. ] have said that ambition has
blinded his Judgment, and am afraid if has aIso
hiunted his moral perceptions. take no pleasure
IN dwelling on the errors of such man. but the
scrutiny Is necessary, and having assumed upon
myself The dsagraeabe Office, mean to 90 through,
with 1T. Mr. Calhoun naturally frank and in
gcnuous. The time has been when hc ,,a. hell,