Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-03-17
To the People Of the United States.

Resent occurrences, manifesting not mere
ly the future prospects, but the present GER
tainty, of a wide division among the party
which has hitherto supported General JACK
SONS Administration, are too important not
to awaken a great degree Of attention. They
are entitled to deep reflection by the oppo-
sers Of the Administration, and by the Pub
lie. The VICE. EEsIpEEr's late publication
was but the ebu'.aion of political ferment,
well known to haye3een secretly long at work
1t was not the origin of scAism; it was only
its avowal. From the moment Of the origt
nal Conabipation'(se it was admitted to be-
against Mr.. ADAMs's Administration, it was
foreseen that the parts composing II, held to-
gethsr for the time by common object, (the
hope of pewer,) world necessarily fly asun-
der when that power should have been sb-
tanned, and when it should come TO be deci-
ded who should enjoy lis posts for the pre-
sent, and whe expect them for the future -
Nothing but the powerful CHEMISTRY of this
common object, it was easy to perceive, could
keep in union such opposite materials as the
friends Of Gen. JACKSON in Pennsylvania and
these in South Carolina, and the followers of
Nr CALHOUN who had been called Prodigais,
and the followers of Mr.. CRAWFORD, who
had been called Radicsls. Such a tumble of
politicians could have no natural COHESION
If Mr.. CALHOUN and Mr.. RANDOLPH could
act long in harmony; if the highest notes of
Consolidation and the lowest grumbling of
State Rights conld be made to chime in u
nison; if the Tariff and Notification could
walk hand in hand-then, indeed, the time
might be expected to have arrived when the
Lion and the Lamb would lie down together.
As to the Secretary of State. his aiinities
were we'll knew to be easily drawn towards
any political eements, and again easily to be
rePelled. He mingles with every thing by
the slightest attraction, and again is dlsenga-
ged from any thing by the gentIest solvent;
For Mr.. KING and against Mr KING; friend
of Mr.. CLINTON, and an enemy Of Ar. Gin
TON; an Anti-Tariff man, out of courtesy Tor
cut of subservience) to some; to others a
Tariff man, by virtue of instructions; friend
of the Union, yet cropping after lost rights OF
the States; and on the great question be-
tween the constitutional powers of the Gov
vernment on one haad, and the absurdties
of Modification on the other, hanging pre-
eiseiy midway upon an exact poise. Tho
foresight which anticipated this rupture oil
the Party, was not deceived. The fulflmept
has trodden, indeed, very close upon the
heels of the prediction. Before the second
year Of Gen. Jacksons Administration has
closed wide, deep, and impossible gulph
already separates the leaders OF his legIons
Of followers and feudatsres. His own influ-
ence over these leaders, not founded in theiI
respect for his talents or character, but main
~ IN the conviction that there is a great tho
vague and indefinite popularity attached
20 his name, is now ne longer sufficient te
reprsss their contentious. They quarrel In
his own face, for his own scat, while he ye'
fills it, and means to fill it longer il he can.
We have heard much, heretofore, of the
Presidents independence; Of his lofty eleva
tor above all influence near his person, ant
of his fixed resolution to be himself every
ipsh President. We now see the verilica
ton, and manifestation of these qualities: W,
behold him evidently busy in the frat stage
81 a controversy, ths origin Of which lies il
motives and OBJECTS. connected, first with hi
Rwn re election. aad secondly, VITA the sue