Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-08-11
From the ". s. Phil. Gaz.
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED
STATES.
On the nert Presidential Election.


The subscribers, ORIGINAL SUPPORT
ERs OF ANDREW JACKSON to the Presi-
dency of the United States, deeply and
solemnly impressed with the importance e
of preserving great fundamental princi-
pies of liberty, free from violation-as
well as of maintaining entire and unblem-
ished their own integrity-and of re-
deeming to the People the faith they
pledged for the fufilmcnt of the profess
sions, made when they selected him as Il
candidate; for the purpose of accomplish
ing great national reforms, and Of estab-
fishing salutary practices Of pure Repub-
lican government-deeming the period
now arrived, when the public expect, &
the crisis demands, declaration Of their
opinions in respect TO their future course,
and redemption of their pledges made
in time past-do here represent and de-
clare:-
That at the presidential elections of
1924 ana 1898, they gave the preference
10 Andrew Jackson, because they had
sufficient reason to believe him identi-
fled with CERTAIN PRINCIPLES, protessed
inroads of ambition, were rapidly sweep
ing into total oblivion:-which principl lies
were obviously essential to the preserva-
ton of popular rights-the duration of
this happy republic, and the continuance
of our nestmable Union. They looked
to the man only as the means Of giving
lasting establishment to those princi-
ples:-his public services having inspir-
ed confidence in his rectitude, that he
would faithfully fulfil the great object Of
his election A blind devotion, as a
chief; or an implicit acquiesccnce in his
opinions, as those of an iniallible master
were tenets never comprehended in
our democratic creed Although faith
ful to his country, yet we never believed
him to be exalted above the erring fac
ulties Of a mortal, however confidently
we cherished the conviction, that he new
er would prove faithless and derelict to
his pledges and professions. In the
wreath of glory that entwined his brows
as a victor, we thought we beheld a sure
guarantee for the consummation of his
principles as a statesman. Without
thinking him splendidly endowed, we had
reason to believe him inhexibly honest;
a trait in his character, that on all occa-
sions was the theme of his exultation, s.
the subject Of his pride. If, on this point,
experience has proved us to have been.
too credulous, or too confiding-the fault
in us is as much allied to virtue, as the
failure on his part is alien to it. Still, re-.
spect for his services to his country, IN
the field, inspires us with clemency in our
reproaches for his errors in the Cabinet
We are willing to believe that his heat,
rather than his heart, has been in fault;
and that age mere asing the infrmites of
a fragile constitution has contributed to
frustrate expectations which more vig-
orous period oflile might have fulfilled;
withstanding the arduous nature of the
task, which he was called to discharge
more peculiarly arduous to him, be-
cause destitute Of that experience in 60
vernment, and unaccustomed to those
deep habits of thought and study, which
alone qualify the statesman to shine, or
the patriot to triumph; fact which, while
1t mitigates censure, at the same time
pleads in behalf of his country, for his
timely retirement to the shades of private
life. For what mind, however great by
nature, can resist the runous inroads of
time; and what man, who has acquired
glory and renown, in the summer of his
life, would consent to become a specta-
Gle for compassion, by public exhbi-
tion Of the follies and weakness Of age;
detracting from his Just fame, and uncon-
scious'y nflicting the most serious wounds
upon his country.
When we selected Gen. Jackson for
our candidate, Indifferent to every thing
bu: principles; and determined to peril all
minor considerations for a great public
blessing-we announced to him our prin-
ciFles, and he fully rcciprocated our
views, elucidating their utility, and often
adding embellishments to their charms.
He avowed, professed, and confirmed
all, and more than all that we required.
Rather ultra than deficient in the doc
trlnes Of liberty, we were left to expect
from him too much, than to distrust him
of too little-thus verifying the old re-
mark, that those who are the most zeal
Gus In preaching, are apt to be the most
lax and culpable in practice.
The principles common to Gen. Jack
son and his early supporters may be en-
braced under the following heads II
]. To establish the precedent of one
PRESIDENTIAL term Of four years.
z. 10 make no appointment Of MEM
BERs OF CONGRESS; so as to preserve the
integrity of the Legislature, from the cor
ruption of the executive power and pat
8. To protect AMERICAN INDUSTRY BY
an adequate TARIFF. y