Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-07-07
The follo,cing is the expose Of Col Lucas
From the Charlestown Free Press.
TO THE PUBLIC.

From the Chariestown Free Press.
TO THE PUBLIC.
FELLow. CiTIzEss;--Su>pecting as j do,
the source OF toe communication signed .sMa-
nv Voters,n and not doubling that the design
OF the author is 10 arouse psrty spirit, 10 pre-
JUDGE my prospects in particular, as csndi,
date for the House Of Delegates. | have he
STATED whether il would beproper for NE TO
respond TO the call OF not: But as hold no
principles, and entertain no sentiments or
opinions, am ashamed or afraid 10 avow, |
shall 10 so. without reference 10 the author
or his design; although | must be excused
for saying, | neither expect, seek, nor wish
the support Of the writer oil that communl
cation.
answer, then. 70 the several questions he
propounded Is follows:
FlRsr QuEsrloN Are you a supporter OF
the Administration Of Gea jackson, IN rela
ton particularly TO his system of prescription?
ANSWER Il am, an humble supporter OF
his administration, generally, and If, by "hls
system Of prescription" Is meant his system
OF reform, am too, and even particularly, a
supporter OF what is thus called "systen,
OF prescription " Whilst approve OF rro
scribng no man. for opinions sake merely,
do cer,ainiy wish TO see general proscrip-
ton, or reform, of all abuses In tnis sense
of the term, an the approver of what one
set Of politicians call enc thing, and another
set another. The freedom oil opinion ad
vocate, and of course condemn all renewals,
made for such cause only; but am also an
enemy TO all prostitutions OF trust and there.
fore the avowed approyer of all dismlssions
for such abuses Then, il General Jackson
has removed incumbents, for only indepen
IDENTITY maintainms their Opinions, or for any
cause, ether than unsorihiness, unqualiii
eddy condemn each ana every such removal
On the contrary, II he has, as believe IS the
fact, dismissed only, for violated confidence,
for abuse and prostitution of trust, equally
applaud him, IN every Instance, for SO doing.
And to come to the point. whilst | admit
may not be so particularly informed of the
facts, in every instance OF a renewal, as to
enable me to judge correctly, in all cases
by these tests, 90 say, undoubtedly and
without fear, that judging from those in which
the causes are known 10 me, ann prepared
to approve generally
2d-Do you approve Of his appointments
to the extent he has gone, OF editors oi news
papers who supported his eleciienP
1hNsV Eta - may iuilJ aware Vi ,Ht
extent he has gone. lie may have gone fur
Their. and perhaps not so far, as have been
led to believe. But candour, il ara correct
~ Informed, induces me 10 admit, that cam
not altogether approve of the appointment
oil 50 many of this class OF his fellow citizens,
-censidering the uEworthiuess, not to say
reeklessnessDess, OF editors generally, com
pared to the common mass. Yet who woAld
preclude the entire profession, from eofnmon
rights and common privileges. Many oil the
type, we know, are honest, able, and deserv-
ing. AT the same time, must add, in justice
TO Gen. Jackson, that do nof believe ho has
conferred office, upon any individual, printer
or other citizen, as a reward Tor services ren.
dered him, in his election. This is a Sian.
der-I believe there does not breatho<an hon
ester man than Andrew Jackson.
3d-Do you approve OF his Veto .uessage2
ANswER.--I do. Viii me, the payment of
the public debt, and The redutton OF our ta1eS,
are primary measures, in the naturalization Of
tie general gopsraDleist, and first duty TO the
country, incumbent upon all charged there
WITH. Besides--taking the facts as under
stand them-the roads designated IN the oils,
rejected, are not of a national character, and
therefore not within any fair Interpretation
OF the constitution, even according to ITS most
liberal, or latitudinarian expounders.
4th -Doyo approved the hostility eyin-
ced by his supporters in aud out OF Congress
to the Tariff? sc.
AsswER. II am againsta tariff, that looks
beyond the ordinary revenue required by the
common exigencies of our country, for the
supper. OF government Beyond this, doubt,
as well the constitutional right 10 impose il,
as the expectancy and justice Of 1t. AT the
same time, admit tbs question involved for
solution under this head, are profoundly deep,
and in their nature very perplexing, --requi
ring mora thorough knowledge OF the fed
eral constitution than profess, to decide the
rigbt--a far more extensive acquaintance
with the state OF the commercial world, ana
with the restrictive systems now in practice,
and in progress of extension, and the peculiar
relations sustained US, towards those various
nations Of the earth, with whom we trade
also, than have, to Judge of its expedienc,
as measure Of general policy. And yet.
admitting the constitutional right, and gene
raj expediency OF tariff. "a reference to these
considerations only, aD slill not sufficiently
informed of its internal Operations, upon eve
ry section of our common country, as 10 sa, /,
sdyisedly, with any assurance, from pcs