Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-10-10
'H'aaG Richmond Whit.
Fsss42E3s.f e..
ANTI-JACHSON MEETING IN WESTAiCRl
LAND

'
A meeting Of thc Citizens of WcstmorcIand
opposed TO the recollection of Andrew jackson TO
The Presidency. took place at the Court House on
t!e ,! day of Octoor, during the term of tho Su
rerior Court, Cor tho purpose &C adopting meas
urcs 10 be represented il the ! ,tronal Republican
Convention in Bal;nnrc. Lawrence Washington,
ESu. was una7 .mCusly cHiicd TO the Chair and
Milton A. Harvey appointed Secretary. The OBJ
ioct Of the meeting being briefly czplaneCl on mo-
ton, COMMITTEES of eight gentlemen, via: " lillian
/. Iaiiaforro, Robert Bailey, Henry u. Storkc,
Robert Beele, sen, Richard T. Dronn, Ja,rcs Jctt
Robert Bcale, jun, and George " Lewis. were
chosen TO prepare preamble and resolutions OK
rrcssi"c Of tic views Of the meeting. WhcrcuPon
the Committee retired, and in short time returned
and reported tho following preamble and resolu-
TONS winch were adopted no,nine contradccat.
Many arc the occa,ions when tho People in
their primary, sovereign capacity have felt them
selves called upon TO deliberate upon public affair.
aud TO adopt measures for their protection and safe
~. The history of our country, though short
has hot been uncvonfnl in highly important and
Interesting occurrences. We have passed through
FOnc momentouE crisis, hOnouraDly, nOblv, Veto
rously. Our country has ever been rescued from
all danger, whether mcnased from without or en-
gendercG within, by the wisdom md moderation of
the People, acting in the snbcrucss of discreet
intelligence, and with that dcci2oh and promptncss
becoming those relying upon thor competence for
seIi government. We have seen country cmar-
Ecd from the effect of two Ware, her viGOur reno
waited, her resources enlarged, her stability confirm
g., and her prosperity placed upon surcr basis
VIC nave seen civil revolution effected by the
ivrc6ie and operative energy Of Tie popular intel
Ngcnce, aud treason and internal commotion quc-
cdh the saving vigilance Of the pcoplc, and the
effective application Of the laws.
Bat notwithstanding cur good fortune horeto-
lore, IN guarding our country from all evils, in
tanning her honour, and preserving her integrity
1T is becoming the people, with urrela1od vigilance
and eAcrtions, to pcTpetuatc the trumphs OF their
wisdom and :irmness and to transmit them unm-
paired, to their latest posterity. Another crisis
Las arisen equal, If not surprising in magnitude
and Importance, any that we have vet expcrionced.
i &c least discerning patriot must recognize IN the
Present distracted state of parties and fever OF Pc.
ltical excitement, all that demands the highest
energies of effort, and the deliberate exercise of
popular interference TO arrest the progress of mis-
RUE, and 10 stay the onward coursn Of our govern
Tncnt TO destruction. No declare firm belief in
tho necessity of their interference and we appeal
To, a"d invite It's active and instant exercise. On
less timely corrective is applied unless the tide Of
corruption IL intercepted, and the niisma ma cement
OF our affairs is checked, by teaching our rulers TO
respect the opinion and the rights OF the people
and 10 appreciate the proper measure Of their res
ponSI5Iiity, VIC may yet live to deporc mac
tvity and suPincncss, and to eXpcnd unAvailing
regret, for the lost liberties Of Cur country.
We, the citizens of WcsImoroIand opposed to
the reelection OF Gen. Jackson arc dec ly i'm
pressed with those opinions. We view the siLua-
ton OF our country, produced by the mai-admnis-
tratIon of affairs, highly critical and ilrpor
portnnt, if not dangerous and thrcatenng-Ivc
believe that contcmporaneous with the inaugura-
zion Of General Jackson, have been introduced and
foStercd political hcresios, tending to disunion, and
menaclng civil war; and they believe, though now
dIsclancd by some of his supporters they date
their origin with his election to the Presidency.
We believe that he has established precedent in
the arbitrary removal of men from Office, DANCE
rous TO the liberties Of the citizen. We believe
That lie came into Office without inst contention
OF the nature OF his responsibilities, s. extent OF his
constitutional powers. That consequently he has
contemptuouaIy dsregarded The authority of
The Senate as branch Of the federal Executive,
and has made appointments without thcir advice or
consent. That he has in almost every instance
made his patronage subservent To his passions, and
personal devotion the only guide 10 his choice OF
government agents. That lie mas been active in
bringing the patronage Of the government in con
Iict with the purity OF elections, and has had MS
cmssarics in this State and in Kentucky with mo-
ncy at their disposal influence the people and
purchase their votes. We believe that he has vio-
lated every pledge that he gave 20 his country
We believe that Inc IS alternately governed by his in
G"IntaS!c passions and misguided Judgment, and in
fuenced by the pcrsuasons of fvOri.cs & Haitcrcrs
we have implicit confidence in tine statements
OF Mr.. Bcrren, Mr.. Branch and Mr.. Ingham. and
we believe that he has exercised "a malign il flu
eHCc III the regulation OF the social relations OF
his late CHbinet-o!fcious and Disgusting in itself
and disgracetul and degrading to The character q
the country. We believe his natural ulbccty of
III nd and violence Of temper, make him the duPe
hIs own passions, and prompt all his acts with
ont pure or patriotic motives; and for the honor
and happiness Of our country, regret to say We
believe that c is destitute Of any adequate notion of
what becomes the dignity Of his station, tie duties
of his Office, and The Limits Of his authority and
that his views solely directed To- The aggranGzo-
mcnt o. himself and his ninions that surround him.
and that all his ends arc selfish and all his rneans
tyranuicai Convinced as VIC arc of these facts
VIC feel bound BY the strictcst ties of duty to our
country 10 oppose the reelection o! u man thus in
co" potent and unqualified for the Office of Prcsi-
den,
The contemplated Convention in Baltimore We
ha he probable means Of concentrating public
ION upon man rs the Euc-ssscr to Con. Jack
r.. who VIII be the choice OF his country. We
hcHIy approve The propotcd Convention and the
pr cIpes upon which il is 60 meet. We confident
II LOOK TO it's results ot the greatest possible i'm
Iortance 10 the welfare Of Jpior, nd We most
ardcnty invoke the attention Of the other counties
oC this District to the subject, and cutrcat their
cooperation. We have every reason to conclude
.bat there il majority Of people in the Northern
Neck opposed 10 the reelection Of Gen. Jlchson;
my, if the strength Of the opposition proper
~ measured I'm this state, the Old Dominion would
be found 10 array powerful and respectable portion
OF its population against the present Admnjstra-
tvn. hulourh %e may be the minority we can
find no -r-nfll, ded reason in the fact why We
should not take part l.! The deliberations that 70
assert tie rights and rr, note the interest of our
cyUwsl country.
Although we arc aware Of tho neutral character
Of Convention in Baltimore, 50 far as the s'tu-
I:o" ,t5be successor 70 Gen. 1Cson u concerned,
and VS. c5gs~rr u the principles Of the i.'cetng-
yci we ra3jol .ythbod tribute OF our resp 81 and
1dtG irutfJn 5of ttc iiusirious statesman O, tic
West, Henry rIay. lis thgraatag delight 70 /
~ ihcsc days ofcorrupion and pr I
~ strife, when ibo minds OF men are grorclL1E IN
.fa- Ia.