Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-14
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THE PRESIDENTS HEALTH.

ton McrcHry, Jackson paper. We lately alluded
to the subject of the Presidents hcalth-rcrninded
the Public of the fraud attempted, in the case Of
Mr.. Crawford, connivod at by men thousand
times higher in public confidence than those who
environ Gen. Jackson-Gnd called upon the Gene.
raj Assembly of Virginia TO know, if they wcro
prepared to- join i'll tho responsibility of imposing
upon tho public, to ill its most arduous station
man waning in intellect, shattered in health, and
who' II Inc survive the term of his election, will
De III aconuition, mental and physical, to incapa.
ci'o'e nun from tho understanding and discharge
of his functions, and of nccossity a mere tool of
those who now, unfortunately for the country and
for him. monopolizo his confidence and abuse 1t
to the advancement of their personal ends We
know that from time TO time, letters appear la tho
Enquirer contradicting tho representations cf tho
Presidents declining health, and affirming that he
looked even better than usual. But, ,oko arc tho
correspondents of that paper! Are they not Office
holders, who hold by the tenure of Jackson's lifof
Are they not members of that secret, back stair
cabal, who, fshed up from obscurity by Jackson
ism, feel conscious that the demise of the Hero
would be the signal of their expulsion from off;
ccs which they disgrace? Does any man doubt
that Lewis and Kendall would swear that Gen
Jackson Gas Mr. Forsyth said of Mr. Crawford
eyes, provided the statement would serve the inter
ests of the Statesman of Kinderhoob and their
opn1
We need not advert to the character of these times
to tho revealed danger which mcnuccs the insti-
tutions & tranquility ofthc countryto the yarious
cr'icai questions which are constantly arising, or
TO the decay ofthat conciliatory spirit nccossaryto
encounter them with success. Every man feels n
melancholy consciousness that tho sword of dis
union, anarchy and strife, hangs suspended over ,b,
heads of tho people of this confcdcracv bv n sim
gle hair What is the deduction? Is il n time for
grannies to rule? Is it a time for scnilitv wr,,
ped up III tlannels, and tottering on crutches TO
WELD the baton, when the earth shakes with an
preaching commissions? Or should the Nation call
to the helm TO meet the tempest her cearcst heads
| and frmost minds2
Gen. Jackson may be in such state of health
as to authorize those around him to give tho nc
counts which we see from time to time i'm his par
tiIan Presses; but their authority for Obvious rea
sons, Is the worst in the world They are inter
osted Witnesses dependant for Office and conse
quence, upon the very fact which they inculcate
But II present appearances justify their state.
ments there Is no warrant for the belief that those
appearances will continue. Cen Jackson is old
and broken in constitution, and his death at any
moment, would give no surprizc to any person.
Even II he live out his term his agency in the
Presidency Will be merely nominal, and old ago
and infirmity, Joined 10 his natural propensity for
favoritism, would confirm and direct tho swav of
Lewis hchoail q Goa state of things infinitely
detestabc to every of American fceling-
Favorites are the legitimate objects of dctestaton
in every country; i'll a Republic they are doublv
execrabie. Yet is 1t certain, that by re-elect.
ing General Jackson, the People are in
very truth, substantially elccting Lewis and
kcndall-the fdvoritcs of the Hero and the too1s
Of Van Buren,. Proud Old Virginia.-are We ready
for this3 Arc yc ready to descend from the Jeffer-
sons and Madisons, to such depth as this? Then
1T might be truly said, "Ichabod-Ichabod-th
glory of thy House has departed"
We invite attention to the Charleston Mercurv
THE GREAT SECRET-Gem. Jackson's fee.
Bile state of health is getting public. For n lopg
time his partzans have endcavored to conceal tho
fact from the people, aud TO keep it a profound So
cret In spite of their efforts it is begnninp tn be
known abroad, that the Presidents health is preca
rIous, and that he cannot endure the fatpuos Of
another term. Within the past week we have
seen two letters from Washington, from gentlemen
on whose integrity the community place the most
implicit reliance. They hold the following empla.
tic language:-'The President cannot stand ana
ther term-his mind is beginning to be shattered
and his constitution is fast breaking DOZEN. The
past year has worked surprising change in his
personal appearance" "7He President is VERY
OLD, VERY FEEBLE, and VERY MUCH AL
ICRED." We do not make this statement as
matter of rejoicing. Far from tive encerely
wish that the Hero might live to the are of Mehu
selah, IN the enjoyment of good health, and in the
entire possession of his faculties. Yet when tho
tact ndispuable, that he is lettering the verge
the grave, it is Infamous that his hirclng presses
should attempt TO deceive the public on that point
and should continue TO hold him up as candidate
tor the first office i'll the nation. That Office it is
we'll known, should be filled by a man of vigorous
mind and sound health, and the citizens of this Re-
public toW not elect to that station whose phy.
seal energies gone, and thoSc dqys are almost
numbered. 1t is in vain for the official organ to
represent the President as being we'll Ii is in vain
Tor the echoes of the "back stairs Cabinet" TO de-
clare, that "hIs health is improvn g." and that "he
was never better in his life" The representation
is as scundalous it is false, and conccals beneath,
IT design at once disgraceful and hollow hearted.
They are fully aware, that Gen Jackson will not
be able on account of his age and bodily Infirmities
to fulfil the duties Of first Ma gstrate of this nation
two years longer. They know, that when the con-
siiiution of one, who has lived as he has lived, and
received as many shocks as he has, from privats
rencontres and services in the field begins TO fail.
it crumbes rapidly, and gives way surely as death
follows life; and they know full well, that Genorak
Jacksons bodily powers already IN the incl.
piency of rapid decay. Why, them do they misre.
present the case? Their object undoubtedly u.s. to
elect hi to the Presidency for the purpose Of SO.
curing that post for Van Buren, If be is elected,
he will and must resign forthwith, and wo do not
hesitate to hazard our reputation the prophecy.
Let 1T be b0Eno in mind; if Andrew Jackson is re-
elected to the office no now fills, Van Buren tciH
assume the reins of Governments Charleston Msr.
MR.. CLAY
1T seems TO be conceded, that i'm his last Spesob