Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-07-28
R'DLIAICAIl.
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE U. STATES

deeply and solemnly impressed with the imnortnn,c
OF preserving great fundamental PRINCIPLES OF Ebcr
~, tree from violation--as well as OF mantoininu
entire and unbcmisbed their own iutcprtv-,nd ~
Tedeoming 20 the people the faith they pledged tor
the tulhlment OF the professions, made when Ahcy
relected him us candidate for the purpose of nc
comprising great national reforms, and of ,,soh.
hshlng salutary practses of pure Republican ro.
vernmcnt-decming tho period now a rived ,vLcn
the pubic expect, and tho crisis demands, decla-
ration 81 their opinions i'll respect to their future,
course, and OF redemption ot their PLEDGES made,
IN tmo past-do here represent and declare
lhat at the presidential elections Of 1S2 and Is
20 they gave the pretcroncc to Andrew Jackson
because they had sufficient reason to believe him
identified with CERTAIN PRINCIPLES, protested Inv hin,
which tho abuses of faction and the inroad Of Az,
hitIon were rapidly sweeping into total oblivion:-
which principles were obviously essential to thc
preservation of popular rights the duration of
this happy republic, " the continuance OF our in
eStimablc UNION. They looked TO the ,ran. only
as tho mean" OF giving lasting establishments In
those principcs-hi5 public services huyinr i,snir
ed confidence in his rectitudc, that Inc would
faithfully fulfil the great object of his election
blind devotion to his WILL Il chief; or an impI;ci,
acquioscencc Ill his opinions, those of an infal-
hble mastcr-werc tenes never comprehcndcd in
our democratic creed Although faithful to his
country, yet we never believed him to be exalted
above the errng faculties of II mortal however
confidently we cherished the conviction that he
never would prove faithlcss and dcrclict to his
pledges and professions. In the wreath OF glory
that entwlncd his brows a victor we thouuIt ,vr
heheld a sure guarantee for the consummai ion of
ms principles, as Il statesman. Without thinking
him spendidly endowed, had reason TO believe
him lDtexibly honest; trait in his character that
on all occasions was the theme OF his cxultation,
and the subject OF his prIdc.-IfOn this point, cx-
pcrcnce has proved to have been too crcdulous.
too coniidng--the fault in us is as much allied
10 virtue as the failure on his part is alien ii.
Still, respect for his services his country in the
.hetd, inspires us with clemcncy in our reproaches
for his errors, i'll the cabinet We are willing TO
believe that his hcdd rather than his heart has been
lc mfr Of
fragile constitution, has contributed to trust rate
expectations which more vigorous period of life
might have fulfilled: NOTWITHSTANDING the artuous
nature of the task which he called to discharge:
more peculiarly 0rduous to him. because destitute
ot that experience III government and unaCcuSt ON
cd TO those deep habits ofthought and study which
alone qualify the Statesman Shine, or the patriot
to triunlph;-a fact which while it ni;iuatcs cen
cure al the same time pleads in behalf of his coun-
try for his timely retirement to the shades of pri-
waite lie. or what mind however great by nature,
can resist the runOus inrolGs Of tune; and what
ran, who has acquired glory and renown in the
GUNNER of his life, would consent o become a spec
tacle Tor compassion, by public exhibition OF the
ioles and weakness ofagc; dctracting from his Just
fame and unconsiousy inilicting the most serious
wounds upon bis country.
When we selected General Jackson for our can
didac, indifferent to every thing but Drincile: ard
determined to peril all minor considerations for
great public blcsslng-we announced to him our
principles and lie fully rcciprocated our views,
elucldatng their utility, and often adding embcl-
lshments to their charms. He avowed, proicssed
and confirmed all, and more than all that we re-
CURED Rather ultra than deficient in the doctrines
otliherty, we were left to expect from him too much
than to distrust him of too little,-thus verifying
the old remark, that those who the most yea.
lous III preaching, apt to be the most lax and
cupable in practice.
The principles common to General Jackson and
his early supporters may be embraced under the fol-
lowing heads.
/. To establish the precedent of one PrEs1ngS
TIAL term of four years.
=. 10 make appointment of MEMBERS OF cox
GREss; so as to preserve the integrity of the lcgis-
lature, from the corruption of the executive power
and patronage.
g. To protect AMERICAN INDUSTRY, by an adequafe
tariff.
a. To promote INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
D. TO establish the principle of ROTATION in OF
The consent of General Jackson to become
candidate for the second term, has violated his
solemn and repeated pledge to his party, that he
would serve but fur yearS, and thus establish Il sal
utary precedent, which would apply the nc to the
very root of political corruption. Nothing could
nave been more emphatic and solemn, than his de-
caratlons on this point; and nothing more ardent
and Jealous than our attestation of its importance
Experience had sadly shewn, to what dangerous
aorruptIons and abuse of the executive PATRONAGE
desire for reeLecti0n had often carried he most
wc!l-meaning of our chief magistratcs;-a re-clec
ton, in which the great body of the people took
no active part:-a reelection supported chiefly from
mcrceaary motircS, by paid band of rapacious of.
nee hoidcrs clamorUus for the continuance of their
pay-audaciouS in their MISUNDERSTANDING TO
the peoplc-and reckless of the consequences off
their cupldity Experience had also proved that il
not only warped the integrity of the President but
destroyed his independence impaired his vigor, and
distracted his attention:-hs soliciudc being direc
ted from his country to binsclf;-and the public /
interest sacrificed to personal ambition. 1t was |
found even to cOntaminate morals. and c0rrnDt
The public prcSS;the eagerncss Of tine incumbent
20 secure his renewed, lease of power LEADING him
to acts from which the patriot would revolt as
criminal and uniust;--as fatal to the ruhtS and
destructive to Iebcrty oFthc citizen. How shall
VIC express establishment and grief that An
drew Jackson should have brought himself within
the possible sphere Of such evils! But we must su
Pcrccdc our administration, by drawing our deter
Tnination not to sustain him in course so banefi1I
to his country, and so biightipg to the lustre Of
his glory.
The Ar7oi%IsENr OF MEMBERS or CONGRESS. Ina |
been the prolific source of the most dangerous col |
lusion between the legislative and executive branch
es of government. 1t holds out the lure Of office
TO the representatives of the people cnticnr them
to derection of their duty; and rewards the pIi-
tool of executive pleasure, who may bctrav his
country or violate his oath. The constitution it, |
&c as attempted by express provision, to guard
ar st this impure collision OF the two separate
br inches of government, whcrc II declarcs-scction
~ 81 TINT no mcmbcr Of Congress sbaH bc npgoiuIed
IN my office, Wkjch crcdfcd, 0Y thc rmgiywcgJs
bhereot reTe G"gHieHicd durn fhc term fgr ,rLjcb
ne lrds ciccfed" We rcCiic the article 10 show |
That the spirit of this constitutional exclusion.
clearly extends TO the inhibition Of all appointments
from the members Of Congress. Even ON the srIu
position that direct possible corruption existed
In such application OF executive PATRONAGE