Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-10-13
IcoNNuNIcNTED.
ANTI-JACKSON MEETING IN WEST
MORELAND.


A meeting of the Citizens of Westmoreland,
opposed to the reelection of Andrew Jackson to
the Presidency, took place at the Court House OH
the Sd dav of October, during the term IF the Su.
perior Court, for the purpose of adopting meas
ures TO be represented in the National Republican
Convention in BALTIMORE Lawrence Washington,
ESQ. was unanimously called to the Chair, and
Milton A. Harvey appointed Secretary. The OBJ
iect of the Meeting being briefly explained, on mo,
tion,a Committee of eight gentlemen, viz: William
F. faIiaierro, Robert Baily, Henry +. Sto,ke
Robert Beale. sen , Richard L. Brown, James
Jett, Robert Beale, jun, and George w. Lewis,
were chosen TO prepare apreamble and resolutions
expressive of the views of the meeting. Where
upon the Committee retired, and IN a short time
returned and reported the following preamble and
resolutions, which were adopted Gemiue contra
dicente.
Many are the occasions when the People, IN
their primary, sovereign capacity, have felt them
selves called upon to deliberate upon public affairs
and TO adopt measures for their protection aud
safety. The history of our country. though short,
has not beeu uneventful in highly important and
interesting occurrences. We have passed through
some m0mentuus crisis, honOrably V, MOLLY, victo-
,iously. Our country has ever been rescued from
all danger, whether menaced from without or en-
wondered within, By the wisdom aud moderation
of the People, acting in the soberness OF discreet
intelligence. anG with that decision and pronpt-
ness becoming those relying upon their compe-
tenCe for self government. We have seen our
country emerged from the effect OF two wars. her
yiaor renovated, ker resources enlarged, her sta
biiity confirmed. and her prosperity placed upon
a surer basis. We have seen a civil revolution
effected by the forcible and operative energy of
the popular intelligence. and treason and inter
nnl co,nmotion quelled by the saving vigilance OF
the people, aua the effective application OF the
laws.
But Notwithstanding our good fortune hereto
fore. in guarding our country from ell evils, in sus-
tanning her honor. and preserving her integrity,
it lis becoming the people, with unrelaxed vigilance
and eyertions. to perpetuate the triumphs OF their
wisdom and hrnness, and TO transmit them unim-
paired. to their latest posterity. Another crisis
has arisen. equal, If not surprising IN magnitude
and Importance. any that we have yet Inexperienced.
The least discerning patriot mustrecogniLe Ia the
presen, distracted state Of parties, and fever OF
political excitement. all that demands the highest
energies of effort. and the deliberate exercise of
popular Interference, TO arrest the progress OF
misruIe, aud to stay the onward course Of our
Government to destruction. We declare our firm
belief in the necessity Of their Interference, and
we appeal To-, and invite its active and instant
exercise. Unless a timely corrective IS applied,
unless the tide of corruption Is intercepted, and
the mismanaeement of our affairs is checked, by
teaching oar rulers to respect the opinion and the
rights Of the people, and to appreciate the proper
measure Of ,heir responsibility, we may yet live
TO depIore our inactivity and supineness,ant TO ex-
pend unavailing regret, for the lost Liberties of our
country, :,
We. the citizens Of Westmoreland, opposed
10 the reelection of Gen. Jackson, are deeply
impressed with those opinions. We view the
situation of our country. produced by the mai,
administration of our affairs, as highly critical
and important, If not dangerous and threatening
I'VE believe that cOntemporaneous win the
inauguration Of General Jackson, have been In
troJ1ced and fostered political heresies, tending
10 disunion, and menacing civil war; and we
believe. though now disclaimed by some OF his
supporters, they date their origin with las cleo
ton to the Presidency.
We believe that he has established a precedent
in the arbitrary removal OF men from office. dan
geruus to the liberties Of the citizen. We be-
lieve that he came into office without a Just con-
ceptiun of the nature Of his responsibilities and
extent Of his constitutional powers. mat con-
seouently he has contemptuously disrcgarded the
authority of the Senate as a branch Of the federal
Executive. and has made appointments without
their advice or consent. That he has almost IN
every instance made his patronage suoser'ieht 10
his passions, and personal devotion the only guide
10 his choice of government agents. mat ne mas
been active in bringing the patronage OF the 60
,ernment in conflict with the purity OF elections.
and has had his emissaries in this State and IN Ken
lucky with money at their disposal to influence
the people and purchase their votes. We believe
that he has violated every pledge that he ever gave
to his country. We believe that he is alternate
iy governed by his indomitable passions and mis-
guided Judgment, and influenced BY the persua-
sions Of f~avortes and latterers.
We have implicit confidence in the statements
of Mr.. Berrien, MIR. Branch and Mr. lngham'
and we believe thar he has exercised 'mallgn IN
Auence, in the regulation Of the social relations
Of his late Cabinet-oficious and disgusting in
itself. and disgraceful and degrading TO the cha
racter of the country. We believe his natural
imbecility Of mind and violence Of temper. make
him the dupe Of his own PASSIONS and prompt all
his acts without pure or patriotic m0o'es; ana