Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-10-02
For the Wine.
EXPOSURE OF JACKSON'S PERFfbY.
MN

NO. q.
When remarked, in tho outset of my expose of
Jacksons perhjy, "that it was not until the u, o.
ment before his entering upon the performance of
nus Official duties, that my favorable Impressions
of his integrity and candour were ,oholly eradiooted
alluded to hts inaugural address, as having pro-,
duced that effect upon my mind. then consider
ed, and yet think that address, as a tohole one of
tho most dlsingenuous, uncandd, and iypocrtical,,
State papers, that ever enianuted from hiph:
public tunctonary. But it was the following para.
graph of it, To wit: 'The recent demonstration oR
public sentiment inscribes the last of Executive
duties in characters too iegiblc to be overlooked
the task of reform; which will require, particular
w. the correction of those abuses that have
brought the patronage Of the Federal Government
INTO conflict with the freedom of elections and the
counteracion OF those causes which have disturbed
! 'he rgnttu course of appointments, and placed
continued power IN untaithful incompetent
hahds.-I mat capped the climax of its base charac-
Ter. Inns single paragraph contains the insinua.
ion' or, may rather say, avermcnt, that the ma.
ronage oil the Federal Government had then been
brought INTO conflict with the freedom of elect
ions; and it asserts this to be an abuse which the
recent demonstration of public sentiment inscribed
on the Inst OF his duties, IN characters legible
to overlook, the task OF reforming. Now, admit
for moment, this nsinuation or avcrrnent to be-
true how has the duty of correcting the abuse il
charges upon his predecessor, been reformed? IL
has not been performed at all. 1t could not be
performed (but he certainly could have refrained
from committing the abuses which hc falsely al
iedged to EXIST because the promise was based
upon false assumption-an ignoble, unmanly, and
dastardly accusation against defeated rival
The insnuation, averment, or call it what
you may, wholly unfounded, markedly
false, and consummatcly base The patron
age of the Federal Government had not then
been brought into conflict with the freedom
OF elcctons but President Jackson and his co
adlutors have committed this abuse, to a most
extravagant extent "The rightful course of
appointment" has been by them, ssdisturbedn
ROVER, has by them, sheen placed and continued
In u, nnfaithful and incompetent hands"
hat they have removed hundreds nav thous-
ands, of competent aud faithful officers for no
other cause than having in tho exercise of the
freedom of elections, voted contrary to their wish
es is so manifest that is not denied by any cam
DID man OF their partizans; but the contrary is
expressly admitted, and attempted 10 be defended
1t is just manifest, that they have appointed nm
faithful and incompetent persons, as rewards for
elcctioneering services. They have used 'sthe pa.
tronage OF the Government, ito punish their op-
pohents, and reward their friends" for the mast and
as terror to the one and iaducement to both for
the future
In the foregoing exposition, 1 think I have
shewn, most clearly, that President Jackson has,
IN his administration, departed from the principles
he protested. and falsifed all the leading promi
ses he had deliberately made previous his elect
ION, as well as at the moment of entering upon his
official duties.
In private life, whenever any individual, howe
yer respectable his character may have been ia
constantly making fair and high sounding profess
ions and promises, which he entirely oisregaIds;
and especially, when such individual is found to be
acting directly contrary to his professions and
pledges, he soon comes to be considered as unwor-
thy OF credit or confidence. Are not public men
under as high obiigations,-as solemn responsible
ties as private individuals to be faithful to their en-
gagements? BY much difference as there is jim
their power to do good OF evil,--by much is the
ooligahon of public man, higher and stronger
Than that OF private individual, adhere to his
engagements, to preserve his plighted faith
Have not, then, showed President Jackson to-
be unworthy of confidence, and totally unfit to be
the Chief Magistrate of this great and powerful Ma
tion! 1t seems to me that l have made this too
clear tor any intelligent and honest man, who will
ake The trouble to inform himself upon the subject
to doubt
am aware, that have used uncommon free
dom, and even severity oflanguage. No one can
regret more than do, that such remarks are Justly
applicable to the Chief Magistrate of my country.
Wotld, were 1T in my power, (for the sake of my
country) cast the mantle of oblivion over the acts
and actors, which have exposed. But the wounds
upon the national honor too wide & too deep to
DC concealed or cured by plastering and quackery.
They must be probed to the bottom and those who
have inflicted them, be brought to account, 81 made
to feel the just Indignation of an abused and betray
ed people, or they will never be healed. If have
nothing extenuated," certainly have not "set
ought down in malice" have used the simple
language OF nature and plain truth have called
things by their right names, and 1 shall continue
10 40 So "a rose by any other name would smell
as sweet, and the juice ofthe poisonous Upas would
produce death, if it should be called the con-
centrated essence and elixir of health. Just as GER
taInly viii continuation of such an unprincipled
and wicked course of conduct, by our rulers, as
has, thus far, marked the administration of Gene
raj Jackson, produce the death of the body polite
the destruction of this, hitherto, highly favuured
Republic.
But it may be asked, are the pc oplc TO blame for
confdng in the integrity, and trusting to the pro-
LESSONS and promises which so profusely
made bq or for Gen Jackson. freely admit that
for thus coniding they are not to be fauted. The
time was when too, would have placed in fact
did place, the most implicit confidence in the inte-
gritty of his word--in his professions, and in his
promises. 1t was his capacity; his information;
and the fitness of his disposition and natural in-
clinatious, for such station he has attained,
that douhted-or, rather, was thoroughly con-
vnced that in all these respects, he totally un-
| fit, and absolutely unqualified for it. The people
certainly ought not to be blamed, for confiding in
his promises, Tor even amongst the twelve apostles
appointed by oar Saviour himself there turned out
to be a JuddS. The people cannot therefore, be
Justly blamed, If amongst Presidents, ono
has proved TO be political Judas. But they, most
assurediy, were to blame, for Withdrawing their
confidence from an eminent, tried, and highly dis
tIngulshed Statesman of undoubted qualifications,
TO bestoW 1T upon "Military Chicftnin,"
however high-sounding his professions and promi-
ses may have been. The corpse that has been sup
posed TO have spoken, is represented TO have said
II was well-I would be better-and here 1 ann"
The old adage that ''a bird in the hand is worth
two in the bIlsh," is founded in good sense.
But the people will be to blame, if they do not
withdraw their confidence, and dismiss from their
service, as soon they constitutionally cam this
political Judas. And those of them, who assisted
IN eevatng him, aud shall not also assist in eject
ing him, (if it is possible there will remain any
such) will deserve to share his ultimate dis
grace, and all the evils which it may
tail upon the country. But they gave him
his power, and they can and will hurl him from