Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-10-24

the legislature OF New York and hy Con Jack !
sous last annual message to Congress, generally
ascrbed to him. both Of which may be considered |
as we'll written papers.
1t is not to his talents, however that any one has
objections. 1t is to his being cold, calculating,
selfish politician, without fixed attachments prin
cipics Of any kind; who shapes his course both to
measures and parties he thinks will best advance
his Interests; and because he is believed to have
great skill and address in commanding INT agents
tor his secret purposes If mistake not, lie must
improve in his character for sincerity and opcnncss,
and drcc,ncss of purpose, before he obtain
large vote III this commonwealth. WETHE.
No. TO-
have thus, fellow citizens, pointed out to YOU
my objections both to Mr.. Calhoun and Mr.. Van
Guren, as the successor of Gen. Jackson, --objec-
tons which l think many of YOU will agree with
me must have great weight, not merely at the pre-
sent time, but also in any future election. But, in
truth, 1t must now he manifest to all, whether they
coincide III the preceding views not, that either
OF these gentlemen is, this timc entirely out of
tho question, For Mr.. Calhouns late publication,
TO which lie was reluctantly driven by tho clamors
OF both parties in South Carolina, must preclude
ms getting any voto north of the Potomac, in
any Western State, except perhaps Alaba,ua and
AlississiPpi and Mr.. Van Buren,, who does not bo
long to the class of told politicians, and who
now fears to BIO candidate for the Vice Presden-
cy, could not he brought to oppose General Jack
son, whose popularity he knows to be necessary to
exc out his There is then, no ono to whom
you can look to oppose Gen. jackson, with any
choice is consequently narrowed down 10 those tw
candidates.
am aware that many persons, comparing Mr..
Clay's present standing in his own state less with
what ii was than with the too sanguinc expectations
OF his friends, believe affect to believe, that he
will not get the vote of Kentucky and that thore-
fore, he too is out of the question. shall
cndcavor to show that there is nothng in the result
OF tho lac elections in that state, which would in
duce hi, friends to abandon him, or even waycr in
their former purpose, and that if no is fortunate
as TO obtain tho vote of Virgai, he will certainly
be elected In tho mean time will say word or
two on his merits and qualifications.
In one important point it will not be de-
MED that he has exhibited superiority over all his
competitors, not excepting tho present chief ma
gIstrae, and that is in the open avowal of his po-
litical sentiments. On all tho great questions of
national policy he has exhibited this manly frank
ness. His principles, his opinions, his predictions
arc, and always have boen known to the world.
/ What he thinks and wishes tho policy of pTo-
tecting duties, or of internal improvcments-what
he did think and wish on the course we ought to
| pursue towards Great Britain, or Gen. jackson
ior his Seminole campaign or for tho recognition
| OIL spanish America was honestly and fca rlcss Y
| proclaimed to tho world, without shutting, and
without disguise. Now of all the qualities which
statesman can possess, that of dnubs dealing i.
the most dangerous, especially in a republic be.
cause against all others of an evil character the
public hnds some security in the odium thoy excite,
but against this ofhypocrisy there is no detonce
| 10 prevarication and dupcity would prefer tie
rough, and even savage frankncss of Mr. R,
though indeed, these qualities no more incom-
PaiDe IN man, than cunning and ferocty are found
united IN the Tiger.
When MIR. Clay has once formed his opinions he
mas been as steady in adhering to them as he was
frank In avowing them. The colours lie is so
prompt IN hosting nc rarely changos for he
seeks honor and fame under his own flag and no
other And though he may forgive an enemy he
| was never known to desert friend. Where in
deed Is The principle, or party, or friend that he
I m nynr HnSnr
has been agitatod in this country, his sentiments
and attachments remain unchanged, save as TO
| those notifications which time and experience suu
sest, and which not TO regard would be any thing
but merit.
Thus he begun his political career with the opin,
Ion that the true policy of our country was to en-
courag': manufactures, by which the homo market
Tor our staple products would be improved both by
eniargng the demand, and diminishing the supply
twenty years ago, you may remember, fellow citi-
zens, that this was the popular doctrine in Virgil
mia. II was supported both by Mr. Jefferson by the
Editor OF the Enquirer, and other leading polit-
cians ct the State. Opinions thus formed and
thus supported, Mr. Clay maintained with his
wonted ardoT and ability. and naturally becoming
more convinced of their soundness as well as ma.
tionn Importance, from having been their advocate
ne mas rinly adhered to them, not merely in this
or that quarter of the Union, where thew mirbt
buy him votes but before the whole American peo-
pie, indiscrminately. Suppose you think Mr.
Gay mistaken IN these Vows | admit that
have to deal with man whose opinions are settled
and known, than ono who changes with time and
piace-who is a friend to the tariff in Pennsylva
ma ana ONO, and Its opponent in Virginia and
South Carolina.
Political insnccrity does not require any espccioI
cherlShIng In our country. Ii is but 100 thrifty
plant In popular governments to need cultivation;
ana surely never was weed more destructive TO the
useful products of the soil If we tolerate il in a
Piesidcnt-if we permit him to shroud his politicnl
opinions in darkness, and to claim 20 agree with
poth OF Two opposite parties, do all we can to
give currency to falschood and dissilaulation Men
OF honor and integrity, who cannot stcop to these
base weapons, will be drawn from the field of con-
test, which will be left only to those who can prac
tlce Ineanness either 10 attain power preserve it.
Their example will be sue to have it's effect on
the hunbInr candidates for public favor, until the
Politicians vocation becomes regular business of
Juggling, In which mon win profit and applause in
proportion TO their success in deccption, and the
people forgive the illusion for the adroitness of the
decciver.
We may already perceive systems Of this dis
tempered state of our political morality. DO we
not near mon openly praised in some Statcs for their
skll IN mystitying subject with the pcoplo7 Has
not Mr.. Calhoun been ccnsurcd by some of his
friends for the avowa of his sentiments on nulliG
cation, late as he has been in making it, and forced
from him as IT was by the state of parties in South
carolina? L Will do you the iusiice fellow citi
zens, to admit thut this confoundinr Of moral dis
tnctons has not yet reached you; that Won car vet
discriminate between cunning and wisdom, and
that you have not become insensble to the m oral
beauty and the practical benefits of sincerity and
iranAncss in public men. 1t is in your power TO
restore these virtues to their lost rank in the ma
ton. ~"
Let us now return to subject from dirrcs
sion INTO which the shameless duplicity of some If