Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-08-22
POLITICAL.
From the u. States Gazette.
TO THE PUBLIC.



thom-I now behold the bitter fruit which had |
cruinbied to dust and ashos tho hand grasped it.
Tho very reverse of the objects contemplated had
been realized. Tho most corrupt and offensive CO.
alitions were written in glaring characters the
face OF the cobino,. The first stop of Gen. Jack
son was to adopt runous practice, which he had
been elected expressly to put down and abolish for
evor-tho admission of pt esidenttGt candidates at
ths council board of the cabinet, lie adopted Mr..
Van Buren, as tho '' hoir to tho empire"--his first
act boing to nominate his successor and thus make
II final nroad into the freedom of elections, by
putting the stamp of authority the favoritc of
tho executive, aud superscding the free choice of
tho people. Mr., Van Duren, too had boon tho mo t
violent of all the raucorous opponents of Gen. Jack
SOM aud, from his proximity to Major Eaton in the
Senate, gave rise to the natural boliSf that his p
Pointment was but the contamination of previous
understanding, and the consideration paid for his
support. Here no touched the rock of corruption
with tho rod eli intrigue, and tho fountain of dis
cord gushed forth in streams too powerful for tho
feeble hands of age to stay, direct it into whole
some channels. He nominated his successor, and
factions instantly derascinatod the country in their
conflicts for future power. 1t was perhaps mis-
take--an error of judgment-tho buuder of mex
Perence-but its foundation corrupt, and its
consequences have proved fatal. No force of pow
emo influence of authority in free and cnligh-
tened country, ever can succeed in forcing medic
ority to high placcs--or invest with the magic of
genius the downward proponsities of a grovclling
mind. When that calamity befalls nation like this,
it must be tho work of infatuation in the people,
and delusion in tho leaders. But why should an
enlightened people bandage their eyes to take
those OF other mep--a really free people
will
On all sidos the coalition was manifest, and tho
corruption garing. Mr.. Van Buren, and his friends
wero secured and rewarded. Mr.. Calhoun and his
supporters gratifcd by the Treasury and some
minor stationsnore to sooth them from opposition
than TO promote their interests or CRAFTY their
pride. The intention of getting rid of Mr. Calhoun,
oven at that early hour, was evident by showing
him that Mr.. Van Buren, in the ''chair of sue
eession,' while Mr.. Calhoun in compliance with
repubt' usage, would be left of the char of
the Vice Presidency. 1t was unnatural alliance
that placed statesman so highly gifted, and pat
riot so infiexibly just John c. Calhoun, in con-
junction with men so measured in talent, loose
In principle, and so grovelling in their views, as
the adherents OF tho Secretary of State-to say
nothing of that frank, honorable, and lofty bearing
which exhibited so splendid n contrast in his favor,
and threw his pigmy rival into such midnight
shade. 1t was enough to tho President of tho
Senate presiding with Roman dignity over that au-
gust body, to satisfy the least agacious mind that
he hold qualities and feelings in common with
the men of the government, who could create afini
ties between them, or permit them to tolerate him
near tho throne, without conspring his destruction.
Impressed with these views and feelings / endea-
Sored to become personally acquainted with Mr..
Calhoun-but the hustle and confusion incident to
tho approaching close of the session, deprived me of
that satisfaction.
During my co ntinuancc in Washington mad
but one OF at most, two interviews with the new
secretary of He appeared absorbed in The
contemplation of the greatness which had sudden
ly burst upon him. He impenetrablc cold
selfish and CALCULATING. We interchanged but few
opinions; and his observations upon the discomfort
which intimated to him would be felt if not
expressed in Pennsylvania, upon the choice of tho
cabinet, evinced the utmost contempt for the opin
IONS OF the people and the most inexcusable AFRO
gance In his new situation. 1t was evident, both
IN the manner of Con. Jackson and his bioerapher
that as as the election terminated, a new train
of thoughts and feelings had entered into their
breasts that they now as much dspsod the soye
hn had MIA han,
had courted them with ubjcct solicitation for their
votes, before the close OF the ballot boxes On
one occasion, Mr.. Eaton burst into a loud lau oh
oXcIalmIng "what will the people, the sovereipns
say to that MIR. Simpson" Exultation was then
unmixed with those bitter thoughts of degradation
which his subsequent treatment must have inspired
IN his bosom. He was then swimming on bubbles,
and they had not yet burst beneath him. He was
dreaming Of new alliances, fresh conqucsts and
progressive merits, in the scale of political ad-
Vancement;-dream as traEsitory bright, as idle
G5 llusory, as perneious unhailowed.
In all the conversations had by me with the presi-
dent and hiE favo-ites, Eaton and Lewis one i'm
preston vsF always produced wildly than
othors--and that vas, they tired sick of those
people who had placed them iii power, and now
painted TO nuke converts of their opponents by
all the fawnr of little minds, the sacrifices Of I'M
principled politicians and the favor Of gratuitos
friendship. hgor Eaton had been severely sarcos-
tic III his obscr Nations the 'barefooted Jackson
men" rs he and MS lady had termed that unfortli-
nate party, Uho5a infatuation had enticed them to
tho support OF uIeelnQ, arigtocratic and unrratc-
+ul mon. 1t was an unfailing theme fol their ri
dlcde, and evidently of deep mertihca.
ton to the president, well to his avorite and
his ''tactotum," that their party consisted OK.
elusivey of mechanics and tcorking peopiet-It was
apparent, that their pride excited to aspire af-
ter better eoRpGny; and that they wcro bent upon
using their efforts to concillate the favor of the
aristocracy, and win the support of thoir oppo-
nents.-Facts on this point will hereafter be addu-
eed. The disappointment of all the officers in the
city, whose Submissions expired on the 4th March
1899, will be explained by this newborn feeling of
upsart pride,
The better part of the friends Of the president
then at Washington, with the exception of Mr.
Ingham's supporters, loud in their pressions
of modification at the complexion of the new CO.
bnet. Judge Baldwin stood prominent in this at
tude--so also did Judge Hemphill, and the whole
Hover eff the party. There difference of
opinion, among those who had come there with.
out having view to appointments. / must, there
FORE exclude from this of rebellion, the throng
OF ed'toTst who at that early hour, pressed round
the person of the president, TO the evident dam
ger OF his Suffocation. Among these, the pertle-
men of tho last minute of the 18th hour, were al
ways most conspicuous. The fascinating person
and good natured visage of Major Noah, were not
SO deeply shaded by retiring modesty, rs TO escape
observation. 1t necessary that diGidencc
should not restrain this gentleman ''of principle
In proportion to his interest" He had nufed
general Jackson too aVishly--had painted his rife
IN colors too degrading to rely either upon the pro-
SidsnPs friendship his talents for promo
ton But the Major was popular, the file xiblity
ofhis principles saved him from creating enenies-
his derelictions he met with laugh-to the charge
of apostacy, no answered by O stroke of hunor
and without q sound principle or a useful talent