Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-05-11
ADDRESS.

4
composing the late meeting, have observed
with a sentiment of full appreciation, the
general movement which is now taking place
throughout The Union, for the purpose of
| concentrating the suflrages of all those who
are opposed to the reelection OF Andrew
jackson, to the Presidential office, upon an
other individual, who can bring 10 the adj
ministration Of its high duties, those eminent
abilities and shining public virtues, which
they believe, the unhappy condition Of the
country, at this time, sourgently demands
w hlle they entertain all the Difference
which the sentiments of freedom and tolera-
ton require TO the opinions of those who diff
fer from them, their own honest convictions
and sense of what is due 10 themselves and
TO their country, at this interesting period of
our affairs, compel them TO insist thus pub
lIckly, that the support and appreciation
which General Jackson now receives from
the upright and patriotic citizens of the I'm
ion, arise out of an undue attachment TO him
on account of his military services, which is
seized and operated upon by interested par
tizans, 10 blind and mislead them, as TO the
tree character of his official acts They can,
In no other manner, account for the impu-
NIFTY and applause with which he has viola
ted all his pledges, and pursued course of
misrule, ruinous, as they believe, to the in
stitutions of our country
1t is well known that the early friends
who first presented his claims TO the Presi-
dental chair, before the American people,
urged his election, not only as a reward for
his high military services, but as the Just
support of political principles, as definite
and distinct as those which formed the pub
lie characters of Jefferson or Madison. That
his military reputation would not alone have
secured him the office, is perhaps abundantly
proved by the fact that many who subse-
quently coalesced with his partizans, laugh
ed to scorn the naked nomination of Tennes-
see, and unhesitatingly pronounced him
" hadman" and "Tyrant" This was de-
cidedly the first impression made in Virgin
ia. 1t was not until his character was pre-
senied in political aspect and in a specific &
distinct shape, that his pretensons assumed
Importance. There is proof in abundance
that his personal friends and a few ambi-
tious demagogues were indefatigable in their
efforts TO remove the objections, which in the
absence OF such character, the sober sense
OF his countrymen opposed TO the tide of mil
itary enthusiasm. They succeeded too we'll.
lie threw himself into the arms of few cor
rupt men, and either in passive consciousness
of the fraud, or insensibly deceived by the
weakness of his mind, allowed them TO
mould his opinions in that shape which would
most effectually overshadow the reputation
OF his competitors, and open the sluices of a
current upon which so many adventures,
it was easily toreseen, would Immediately
launch their fortunes. His political char
acter thus fiCtitiously, but cunningly and
cautiously devised, and SYSTEMATICALLY pre-
sented TO the public eye, adorned with tie
dazzling robe of Military renown, though
very different in the appearances it assumed
in Pennsylvania and Virginia, was always
marked and definite at the place of eXhibi-
ticn. The aspect it assumed among us can
not be forgotten. There was no single fea-
ture in it TO which the Virginian Unitarian
politicians Constituting an immense major
ity in the state) could object; 10 their delud-
ed fancies, it presented the perfect model of
constitutional and patriotic President The
influence of a name which the military ar
dour of our nature, had made familiar in eve
ny household, was offered 10 them as the sure
and only means of bringing back the gov
eminent from what was believed, by them,
tobe dangerous deyiations from correct prin-
ciple. They were assured that an example
of Republican simplicity and moderation,
and scrupulous adherence 10 the letter of.the
constitution, would be at all times presented
in Gen. Jackson's administration, which, as
a standard for future Presidents would be
more dignified and imposing than General
W ashington's, & purer, better defined, and
more permanent, than MIR. je6ferson's In
contrasting these singular promises with
the acts of his administration, and the dan
gerOus principles which they conceive, now
distinguish him as public man, the mem
bers of this meeting, feei entirely justified
in the position, that Gen. jackson owes his
present popularity among the candid and
honest citizens of the country 10 delusion and
misrepresentation. They themselves, it is
true, may be influenced by Incorrect infer
enCes and false prejudice; but under present
impressions they could as soon be convinced
that virtue and vice are artificial distinctions
and have no foundation i'm the nature OF man
as that the political character which acquired
for him the confidence ofhis countryncn, and
the Office he now holds, is the same in which
he has administered its duties The facts
upon which they rely for the truth of this
sentiment are before the public, and COM
pose the history ofhs adminstrationSsz.Ai i'm
that history it is confidently and honesty as
serted, will be found an utter Reputation
Of every constitutional and Republican doc
trine, previously proposed by him TO Vir-
GINA, and the bold introduction of some of
the worst maxims of corrupt and 'despotC
rulers II we turn our ewes back upon the
history of Virginia, and the course she has
uniformly pursued under her relations to the
General Government, what principle sus-
tanned by her, has he not violated? If we
look TO the documents Of his political opin-
ions which came into existence between the
periods Of the resignation his military com
mission and his election to the Presidency,
we find fhcr,, ,,fforI,y ,,onfra1icfed lao I;s II