Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-12-24


 MT Owen. The Judges did not take their seats be. fore had finished my remarks.
 This gentlemin may moi consider it any grievance to the people of this State, that the money which they pay into the Land Office is removed from a- mong them, and expended in the Western States. However hc who receires their money may feel upon this subject, those who pay it, know full well that it | is Il grievance aud that it may apty be called burden or tax.
 The gentleman has thought proper To introduce the name Of MT Sanford with those high sounding Il praisees; yet he is no Aatterer: mo- not he He would not natter Neptune for his trident l think however, that MT Sanford was treated with more severity by his friend than by the one who has been adrotiy placed in the attitude of an enemy The name of Mir Sanford introduced by Mir Owen as authority to show the constitutional power of Con- gress to make inernal improvements. Other names also, introdnced by him but upon the firstouch of the haae of .Jr Saaford il was withdrawn by Mir Owen. he rising to take down this name The ili- ference was ir1esislabe that it was DO auh0riig; and this in the lact of the assembled people, l could not have the her to place friend in this awkward predicament. This name was 1ell, aS dn anh0riiy. more o q wre,k than had hoped or would even have wished. 10 make il.
 I do not now feel sufficient motive to discuss with this gentleman his political ,cnets. But this | beg leave to say that if erred in supposing him i Federalist, erred in common with large majority of this community. The triumphant vote in favor I Mir Lewis sl,t to be received as some ltle evi- dence of this fact unless 1t should be asserted that the order of things has been inverted and that at ts dug the Federaists contend for Styici and the I Republicans for idtituiiRarian construction of the Constitution.
 Mir Sanford, however, says that he is a Repulcaa of the Jefersonan school, which feel no disposition to conlrovert;-l will however, express my asto- | nishment that he should consider" ietleraist,n il term of reproach: especially when sone ofour most distinguished and most patriotic men have been proud oiihe appelation. For myself Twill say that considered that the terms Federast and Repub- lican, served only to distinguish the p,rlies which grew up under the constitution, of which con tended for u limited, and the other for much more extended construction of that instrument. Il did not suppose that would ever occir to Jef fersonian politician, that Judges have fever rights than other individuals in this community It is de- cared in the Declaration of Independence that the rights 0f all ,aen are equal.
 This high authority should l think, cani convc- tion to tue mind of JcfersOniaa politician that un- der our government, Judges are not dismeuished Il class oi men, The right to vote carries wfh il the right to discuss the qualifications of candidates ana particularly their opinions upon constitutional ques- lions. Of such paramount importance the right of speech deemed by the iramers of the constitution that it is guaranteed in that sacred instrument In virtue of that provision in the constitution, every man may freely write or speak what 10 him stemel proper, being amenable alone 10 the laws of the land. It must be admitted that our rights are much more when defined and guaranteed by the laws of the land, than when dependant upon the ca prcious determination of any man, or set ofmen.- Tine thirty tyrants of Greece began by destroying every bad man, but in short time every good mar was in danger. If we once depart from the snr, criterion of right, the law of the land. we shall int ourselves upon stormy sea without rndder of com f pass, and must in the end suffer dreadful ship wreck. All thosc therefore, who feel an interest il the stability of our Republican institutions must pre- fer the government of the laws to the government men. And confidently appeal to those laws for determination of inc question, whether voter, hap pcning to be Judge, has fewer rights than anohe voter, happening 10 be lawyer or d merchant.
 will advert once more to hIr Owen, and feel a irresistible desire to state one tact communicated b him to the voters particularly it Is tact not gcnt rdliy known. He slated that during the last wa
 there was q matinyM Mobile in consequence Gf 4 uaa 0f provisions; and that the militia who mutinled o that acere shot. In what book of history thi laci is recorded are moi informed. The con ice lures of some present ed them to suppose it to be found in any book, but ill some tagitire picct or in the .tctionS of poetry.
 Mir Owen admits that his conduct was improper and that he acted with full knowledge of his in propriety should dislike to have the feeling whic must necessarily arise from such admission. o the contrary, feel that 1 discharged an impOrtar , duty and contributed my mite to the prescrvatio ofa vital principle in our constitution.
 Our distinguished men and enlightened Judge, assembled in convention to discuss a constitutions question, then pending before the Federal Judiciary
 in order to affect the measures of the government and no one questions the propriety ofthe proceeding Ii however the day set apart by the laws for ti exercise of d most important right under the const tuition, circumstances should render ii necessary lo me to discuss equal important constitutional quc' ton, according to the logic of Citizen and his ct adutor the rights ofthe people are invaded; invad ed by me though l contend for State Rights and q , gainst Federal UsurpatiOn lfthere be no other in vason of the rights of the peoele they will undoub edly be transmitted to future generations. Circumstances have made it my duty to state eS pciily the conduct oi Mir Owen on the day of tb election do, therefore, state that have suiicien evidence to shcw that on part of that day, John O,cen, Esq Rcccirer of Public Moneys Of St Stephens appeared dt Ae polls mh iorge stck, and assumed Mreatenng aititude and that he otterarards stated more than one gentleman, tiat "he had like to hdr coJed pih steh." he headcf rery respectable ge, aeman nho of he judges cf thc election. and member of religious society; and that too, m const quencc ofa decision mule by him.
 This conduct MT Jefferson would have correctl denomnated an attrocious obstruction of the eedon cf elections.
 have appeared before the public most reluctantly and only in obedience to sense of duty. come no with q vain wish to attract the public attention. have made plain statement of facts, because 1 wa assaed in various quarters for the exercise of con stiiutional right; and now submit the whole Eat ter to the judgement of an impartial public. VIM. CRAWFORD.
 St Stephens December l, 1881
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