Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-07-14
For THE CONSTITUTIONAL Wing.


For THE CONSTITUTIONAL WING
No. /.
y dear, what can the matter be, thought 10
myself, after perusing the Enquirer of Friday last
which a friend handed to me, as a rora apis-a
faithful counterpart in pathos and lamentation to
e'iulndachtchs sooquy the loss of her Grildrig;
or Sancho Panza's the loss of his island, or
Wordsworths sentimental effusion on a dead don.
key. Surely, Mr. Editor, the dog DAYS have influ
enced the gentle and placid temper of your learn
ed Contemporary; or pcrchance the hydrophobia is
coursing through his VEINS and efervesciny at his
fingers, until it has touched his pen and maddened
the liquid with which his thoughts arc communi.
Gated TO paper ferchance-but Mr. Editor, we
may involve ourselves i'll labyrinth as intricate
and unfathomabe the farewell epistle of the late
Secretary of State; inexplicable OF hard to
untwist as tho tangled, disjonted sentences of our
Chief Magistrate and his Biographer. Let us pro-
coed, therefore, to bcstow q cursory notice ON this
singular production.
am not, MIR. Editor, in the habit of perusing
the journal of your majority loving Contemporary
Though willing audi alteram partem; yet it always
appeared to me that there apparent in the of.
tusIons of Mr.. RS pen such n struggle between
conscience and interest, between early preposses.
sions and uncongenial principles adopted and main.
tanned because popular; that the quibblings subter
fuges, and fawnings of Mr. r. in defending those
IN power, have appeared rather pitiful than ludic-
rous. Besides the reasoning of your Contemporarv
when he essays to reason, is puerilc and con-
temptible, that cannot help imagining, that he
still fancles himself on the stool of authority ad
dressing parcel of little schoo-boy tackles and
not beings capable of Judging and comparing and
deciding for themselves. SO much en- PEASANT.
The first assertion, in this chaotic mass, which
intend to notice, Mr.. Editor, occurs under the
Editorial head, as follows:
awe take it for granted that a decided majority
OF the people are the friends of A. Jackson
Though every one must allow that your calcul
atng Contemporary has hound-like sagacitv in
nosing out maJorities, yet the best of hounds is
sonnet Imn Mt fattl
as the quadruped. The political world is at present
involved In clouds and darkness. | take It for
granted that Mr.. K. has asserted more than he can
prove That there is a majority in Virginia of those
VINO nave hitherto supported the party which ele-
vated the present incumbent to the station he now
nils and disgraces, may be true; but that there is a
majority In favor of re-electing Andrew Jackson,
is more than doubtful Many are beginning to
think that the name of friend to Jackson, is at
present rather dubious and cquivocal honor-ra-
ther to be Stunned than desired. Nous yerrons
The next sentence which meets my eve is the
sweeping assertion, that Henry Clay has not one
principle IN common with the people of Virginia
And is this really the case?-or is il only fiction
OF Mr. Rs.-a sacrifice of truth-a barteripg Of
conscience, on the altar of party. Let us exam
inc it.
1t is well known that Mr.. Clay was one of the
most ardent and interchangeable defenders of the
famous Kentucky Resolutions of '98 which arc
considered as advocating the favorite doctrines and
views of Virginia He still adheres to those prin.
cIples Docs Mr.. r. mean to say, that Virginia
has abandoned them? If not they must be agreed
on this point. Again, Mr.. Clay has since his first
appearance acted with the Jetfersonian or demo.
cratic party. Does Mr.. R. intend to insinuate that
Virginia is not at the present time democratic
state, or guided by Jeffersonian policy? If other
Wise, there IS another principle in common, Was
not the recent contest with Great Rritan common
ced by a Virginia President, and sanctioned by
great majority of her representatives. and was not
Henry Clay the ablest champion of the measure.
lIt Il =
scd to the people of Virginia except it be in behev
ing with Monroe, and host of our ablest States.
men, that Congress has the power to grant appro-
prIatlons TOR Internal improvements. And do not
majority of the States at the present day, enter
tam the same opinion, and could Andrew jackson
or any other man be elected if he came out onenIv
and honestly, and denied that Congress possess ths
power? Did not Jackson receive the votes of Penn
sylvania and the Western States, because he was
supposed to be friendly to Internal Improvement
and the Tariff And his famous veto. was II not
an abandonment, denial of his former PRINCIPLES?
ANA VIII Mr.. X venture to assert that there is at
the present moment majority of white citizens
over Iwenty-one years OF age in Virginia opposed
either to the existing Tariff the power of the
General Government to effect Internal Inprove
ments. LII he affrms it, demand proof--pIain
honest, arithmetical proof-not visionary asser.
tons MIR. Clay may differ on questions of policy
with his native State-but in all the great and lead
ing principles which constitute the true republican
there is unity of sentimcnt-a perfect agreement;
and this Mr.. r. well knows-and yet denies.
Another accusation is, that the opposition is
hunting down the character of A. Jackson. really
rejoice that Mr.. r. has become Sd sensitive on this
PoiOt-that the Presidents character has fallen
into such good hands. l can overlook Mr. RS so.
| IIcltude on this pointer in by-gone days this
SAID character was no little despatched and tainted
by Mr. X. himself do not know that the opposition
nave yet gone so far as TO term him a curse, though
they may think hip 80, that he is so ibnordni
as 10 DC incapable of interpreting the plainest law
| though they may think his decisions at variance
with humanity and reason 1t is indeed kind yer,
| very Kind ~ Mr.. X. after bruising and manplinr
his patent 10 undertake the friendly office Of sur
| geon, and heal the wounds he assisted to produce
But Andrew Jackson was then in the minority
| and nc IS now in majority. Admirable salvo
Worthytbo attention of every vagabond in the land
though trends IN human sliapc-only secure a
majority, and you become angels in the estimation
Of Mr.. IL But the president is TO I've retained unit
! lie has paid off the national dobt-curtailcd the
national expenses, and introduced simplicity and
! economy IN the public administration! What a
| modest demand is contained in this humble recon-.
| mondaion. We should have thought that some
dozen terms, or some such trifc of time would have
suihccd MIR. r. TO retain his Idol, for n wondering
pcopct 10 worship. But IT would require the length
| ut days of an Antcdiluvan 10 accomplish the task
| assigned to President Jackson, according to the
present ratio Of arithmctical increase. IT'S true
| TIC national debt is in fair way of being extin
gulshcd' though this desirable event is more likely
( 10 be retarded than FASTENED, by the continuance
| IN power Of the present administration, But mi
| raeile dictr. until the national expenses are cur
| to"ed-wliie those expenses have been increasing
] and still continue TO increase. What ioyal sub
lect to the "Greatest and Best" or 'thc curse" a.
Mr.. X. chooses, is the Editor of the Enuurer Hi,
devotion exceeds the loyalty Of the inhabitants o.