Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-10-06
P0Lgr'ECAE.
ANTl-JACKSON MEETING.

It's NlSlh'tS, opposed to the reelection of Andrew
Jackson to the Presidency of the United States
held at tho Franklin Hotel. on Friday, the 3Oth OF
Soptcmbcr
Fortnaatas Sydn,r, Esq. was called to the Chair,
and itichdTd H. Toicr appointed Secretary.
Inc object OF tho meeting stated, by Patrick
H. Cabcll, Esq. who concluded brief and olourcnt
appeal, by moving tho appointment Of a semtnitsco
to report prcanbie and resolutions expressive of
tho sense OF Tho meeting.
Whercupon tho Chair appoir.3ed Aycrs-s Patrick
ii. Caheil, jesse ID. HARRISON, John ~. Erquhcrt,
ohm NJ. Warwick and Charles Z. ioet,5. who ro:i-
red and, after short absonco, made Report
winch, alter few unimportant amoldrients, AID
filing the blanks in the resolutions was aurecI TO-
ia tho following form:
Whereas the term for which Andrew Jackson
was chosen to preside this Republic ia ,proa-
ching lis close, and the great question of his re-
election tor Il second term profoundly agitatcs
tho pubic mind; UicuRtcS OF the great ArreTi-
eau community OF independent froomsu, have
assembled ourselves, undor Il solemn sense Of tbs
Importance OF the crisis, and Of the heavy stake we
have, IN common with fellow citizens erory
where, IN the high state eoncarn now pressing up
on the national attention. The Chief Maristracy
OF this wide spread contoderacy is an Office of such
Acknowledged elevation and dicuity-its pstrona ne
is so immensc-its powers vast and multarous
and the resulting influence cScrtcd by IL ever tho
whole course of General Cove I,Imont slrorg-
that even in ordinary times, the question who, a.
mong "millIous of Jealous rivca," shall he elevated
to tho exercise of its lofty functions, must be
OF absorbing interest TO every patriot bosom.
But this is common timc. A large portion of
the world s in tho throes of Revouton-tLo con-
vulsive death-grapplc between and his tyrant,,
has commcnced-end tho champions Of freedom in
other clinics have their gaze Intensely fixed on the
grc1t experiment of solf-govcrnment in prog ross
here. Within own peaceful borders even, ror
tents, of an aspect awtully sinister, attracting
every eye, and arousing cvery mind. Our beloved
ana vcncratSd Cnlon, once deemed too sacred TO
be drawn into discussion, savo to receive renewed
VOWS OF eternal fidelity, has become matter of
binary calculation, and is menacod with paricidal
stiity in quarter, where formerly it's warncst
and most eloquent euogis!s TO he found
At period OF time, thus remarkably distinguished
by Llomcntous political yicsStudcs, foreign and do
mcstic, ncS' in of actual duvelo rment, or
strongly portended, the selection of an Executive
Chief for Republic assumes an unwontcd de-
e &c OF importance, and becomes a subject of sur
passing interest TO every American citizen. Deep
ly impressed with these views, unawcd bv power,
unscduced by patronage, having no idol but our
country, and no aim but the advancement of its
permanent glory, small and humble part of the
great md virtuous Opposition Party in this Anci-
ent Commonwealth, approach the subject of
the next Presidency.
This large assenblage, composed, for tho most
part or the original opponents of tho pre-
sent Chief M,gistrrte have TO declare, and
they do it with feelings Of sorrow and hu-
initiation, rather than of exultaton, that their
former augurics, sad and gloomy though they
were, OF disastrous consequences to our country,
from the elevation of the present incumbent, have
been more than fulfilled in the long train Of evils
which have flowed from that lamentabla net of no.
puar enthusiasm They foresaw not in tho e1er
else OF any miraculous gift of prophecy, but as plain
men, capable OF perceiyiny the necessary conncc-
ton between cause and effect, and of coming to
right conclusions from well ascurtaincd premises
within their knowledge, that gross mismana re.
ment of our affairs, il various WAYS musti eyitabv
mark the executive acts of man, whose defective
education, want of experience and information, mi
ltary habits, and arbitrary and ungovernablc tenn
per, were so well known. But they did not forsco
- for who could have forcsecn1-the many daring
acts of profigate misrule, which have been com.
mittcd, in utter contempt of public opinion and
public vlrtuc-in disregard of solemn pledges and
recorded oFinions-in violation Of the most scored
personal rights, tho principle of public liberty and
the oldest mexms OF Republican Government
We need not specify the various acts Of mal-ad.
ministraiion, which have rendered the reelection
of Gen. jackson more obno xious than was his
original election. They nmblazoned in the
history of the times, and even now spreading
discomfort, and ovoking Indignation, in the reno
test and ohscurcst corners efthe land
Assuming the government in tho spirit of con-
qucror, entering upon provinces subducd by his
arms, he scarce felt himself seated in the Execu-
tive Chair before he commenced a course of mer-
CHESS and unsParng prescription for opinions sake
which ''turncd the nation pale" No length nf ser
vlcc-no fidelity in oGicc-no capacity for business
--sutiiced to save the unhappy officer, whose mis-
fortune it was to have deemed Mr. I:dums better
qualified than Andrew Jackson for the Presidcn-
cy. The true enquiry, the touch-stono of
fitness for Office, sis he honest?-is he cupa bIe2'
was superseded by the shameless interrogatory
Ibid. he vote for General Jacksonl" The
patronage of the government was doOtcediy
dispensed On the enormous principle of"rewa rding
his friends, and publishing his enemesr-and the
American public beheld, with astonishment and in
dignation, old and ncrorious officers, bs rcores,
and, IN some Instances, Revolutionary Patriots,
turned adrIft to starv' TO provide places for unprin
ciTlad off c-huntcrs, whose only recommendation
was blind devotion to his person, end an absolute
subscrviency TO his will One prominent effect of
this prostitution of patronage, has been to bcgot.
throughout the country, miserable spirit Of office
hunting, which, to the scandal OF the nation is seen
lmPelling men, in gangs, from all points of the u
mon, to the scat oftho general government, there
to recount their acts Of devotion, and chaunt the
praises of 'the Greatest and Best" in the hope
that their base surrender of personal Independence
will be graeOusiy rewarded by some paltry Office
obtained, perchance, by the influence, and humbly
received at the hands of $ me wretcEed parasite
the Throne
With ''Retrench,Henf' on his lips, and "Refo,ui"
inscribed OH his banners, he entered the Mctrouo.
nave elapsed, and these terms travesied BY the in
ventor, never mentioned but with 4 sheer of
der sion, and a shTug of contempt.
lie has usurped, several occasions, tho oo-or-
dnate appointing power, conferred by the consti.
tuition on the Senate, and has manifested his con
tempt for that BODY by appointing to Office, in the
intervals of their session, individuals whose nom-
nations they had rejected.
Notwithstanding lis affected indiTercace to
office, and his former assurance 10 his supporters
that one term would fill the measure of his ambition
and ought, in his opinion, to be established as the
constitutional limit to continuance in the Presi-
denCy, we have him, through his Official organ
at Washington, make public announcement of