Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-08-22
The Richmond Whig.
PDLHTgC CAL.
From The Political Arcna.
TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.


that Mr.. Jeiferson's corscnting serve in the Of
fee of President, second term of four years
when he had sixteen years before, expressed a the.
oretical preference for the less guarded power of
single term of seven years, afforded no preccdent
to Gen. Jackson for being candidate for re cleo.
ton after having, but two years BEFORE decla ed
that President ought to be elected for more than
one term. No two cases could be more different,
Mr.. Jefferson adhered to his principle of res
trictiug the Executive power, whilo Gen jackson
surrendered his principle altogether.
But this is not all that has occurred to create
distrust Of Cen. Jacksons sincerity this question
OF the Presidents re-eigibility. Did he earnestly
and in good faith cooperate in the efforts that
were made by some Of his party to effect this very
change in the constitution When Mr.. Nc Duifie
brought forward the measure, which of his par
ticular friends from Tennessee New York, gave
him cordial support and endeavored to call up the
bill after 1t had been laid on the table7 Did they
exhibit tho same supino indifference when the
consitutionality of tho mission Constantinople,
or the propricty of the appointment to St. Peters
burg, wore called in question-or when any other
subject wa, agitaod in which the President was be-
licved to have taken lively interest, And can
any one, who has at all attic ndcd to the current OF
events at Washington, doubt that, if the admins
tration had really wished Mr.. McDufTie's amend
ment to the Constitution to prevail, and had exert
their influence upon the household troops of the
pala&,. the measure would not have preva led?-
hen this subject of the presidents reelection
as you will, his easy assent TO serven second term
Ia undisguised dercictio1 of principle as soon
it found to conflict with power and profit
But again, if it is fair to consider that a candi-
date comedies with his supporters in the principles
they profess, where there is nothing either III his
declarations or conduct warrant N cpTosc rrT-
renee, then is Gen. Jackson further obnoxious to
the charge of disrogarding his implied pledges to
the people. His friends in Congress, and out of it,
wero loud in denouncing the removal of a small
number of tho printers of the laws as an attempt o
awe and corrupt the press; and this being of the
alleged acts of Mr.. Adams mal-administration it
was fairly to be inferred that it was among the
abuses which the election of Gen. jackson would
correct.-Nay, 1T was not left to Inference He
had every where political sponsors, who undertook
to promise that this crying mischief should be re-
formed. Yet ere year had elapsed after General
Jaekson's election more editors rewarded with
ucratve places than perhaps during the whole forty
oars that the government had previously existed
The difference too not greater in the number
of persons rewarded, than in the amount of their
rewards. The cmolument, which editors had bith
erto received, seldom exceeded few hundreds
ana THIS too IN the way OF business, but II oftep
amounted to thousands, in the way of Offices of
profit and distinction, under this reforming admin
istration.
{ Of all our political machinery, there is no mart
Which it is moro desirable to keep free from gov
ernment influence than this. The administration
has indeed the right the aid of tho press in STA
ting ITS acts talrly-it may it to defend itself
against the attacks that will always be made on il
whether merited mott may, moreover avail
itself the press to profit by the of it's friends
as well as TO repel the assaults Of its enemies All
this it may properly claim and tho ordinary patro
nage of the government is amply sufficient to Sc
cure these reasonable demands. But when the
government, not satisfied with having Il ready
access to the public ear, and the of explain
ing its views, and lustying its motives cndcavours
20 subsidize it for its Defence it aims TO convert
of the most wholesome and valuable institu
tlons in popular government, into Of the most
mischievous and dangerous 1t is perhaps worse
than direct attack the liberty of the press
since that IL valuable only the means OF dssem
1aating truths, and press in the pay OF the gov
ernmont is sure to uphold and propagate
f,lsehood.)
1T is not meant by these remarks that Editors
more than any other class ef men, should be inter
dicted from office. They entitled 10 their full
share, according 10 their qualifications and there
arc many Of the number who have all tho essential
requisites. But to select them the fayorite class
for official emolument and distinctions is TO mar the
utility OF the press by taking away its indcpen-
dence, and to use the public money for the mr.
pose, not of informing, but of deceivinp and mis-
leading the people. Who would expect an honest
representation of any measure of the govern
mont from editor, who has received, or homes to
roceiVet an othce OF three thousand dollars n weary
OF similar character was the appointnoontor%
agent to Constantinople, without the sanction of
the Senate, when Mr.. Adams had been condemned
for correspondent exercise of power. II is TO M
purpose for the friends sf Gen. jackson 10 RELY far
precedent in this during the administration
both of Gen. Washington and Mr.. Jefferson Tho,
cannot save them from the charge OF Inconsistent
ey.-These precedents they had before them duri,r
the debate the Panama Mission and if fbcS
were not sufficient to excuse Mr.. Adams from tho
charge of arrOgating power in doubtful case nei
ther they be sufficient 20 Justify Cen Jackson
In short, 1t would perhaps be impossible to point
out single instance, in which tho party had CEN
sured Mr. Adams, where they have hesitated to
pursue precisely the same conduct, whenever thoy
wore tempted to do SO by their interest.
IL IS certainly true that allowance must lie made FIR
the difference o situation, hFn measure view ed as
ihe act OF PSii'cal opponent aud hen as the a. OF
fendlOT such difference views incident In the ,,os
honest minds And when that course Of conduct uh,cb
was once condemned wrong, subsequently spuenrs IN
us tn be rgt, II is the part of plo' act ACCORDING,
TO his last Convicon aud 10 surrender his character fy
consisFncy TO his pubic duty. IN fact usisiPncv in
such but her for higotIy end o,,s mac,
Bot when Individual in no one thing adb.rng
70 former opinions, ktIearnI do what he had COO
dsmned in another, and hnt his former sentiments and
ans subsequent conduct though variance with owe an
other, coiucIdng 18th his incres NC cannot I,rjievc ia -
ibe whole has been honest and di.in.prss'sd change
and without any gorgeous art Cfchaty, ~ g mus an
drt5uia such uniiprm Inconsistency either Rn uuurt
ripled the 6gSt
4rtoct,on Of duty in the last; what is vet more moi,
able, 10 bath causes united On the present orcs.or
zhsre is much system the course pursued fv frn
jackson snd hig zdheens, 10 be imputed 10 the no. rst
Illusions Of SEX tove or pSrty prejudice.
If the President had b,.t moderate portion of
tic sound judgment and right feelings for which his
supporters give, rather once gave, him credit
he would have addressed his evil cOuuscllCrs Thus
seeking to secr6ce his fair fame 10 their ow cupid
ity or vindicete passions, TO the following effect
"Cientlcmen, 1 cannot, in the teeth OF my own
repeated declarations, and the implied pledges of
my friends appoint members of Congress to oiIise
What we have condensed in another, I cannot, i'm /
one short year, do myself Nor can give lucra /
been denounced for a moderate share of prcTermont
bcRtowed on the same cass--or. if / mus deviate |
from the rule which we ourselves have laid down /
for the Chief Magistrate Of this nation, and which