Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-07-27

which would be implied by asking such
question. know sir, they will rise up
as one man and with one voice proclaim
to the world that their choice is John
Sergeant, of Pennsylvania.
Remarks Of Dir. MELHENNY, Of Green
brter, IN support Of the nominations Of Mr..
Sergeant
1t affords me, Mr.. Chairman, much pleas
ure, under the instruction of the Committee,
TO have an opportunity seconding the NOM
ination of the gentleman from Wythe.-
No man, Sir, in my estimation is better cal
culated from his political principles, his tai
ents. and location, 10 produce in our party
that harmony and concert of action so very
essential to secure our object AS politician,
so far as my information extends, he has ev-
er been consistent. Unlike the little Magi-
clan OF New York he has trusted his homes
ty, moral sense of propriety, and real merit,
TO obtain for him the respect. the good will
and admiration of his fellow citizens Many
men are now regarded superior i'll point Of
intellect from knowledge of their power in
producing desired ends by intrigue and cum
ning; while the stamina which constitutes
the quinteScence ofa lofty, discerning and
powerful mind is wanting. This however is
not the case with all. Were il sol should
despair Of carrying through this Convention,
the nomination of Mr.. Sergeant. He stands
high in the States for his Republican simpli-
city. The avowed, the open-the decided
yet calm supporter OF those principles, the
watchword OF our brigade-in these days OF
political sin and transgression this is the only
opposition which any can wage against him
A man sir, at this time, which by your honor
has been aptly termed, crisis, 10 preside over
the destinies ofthe American people, should
not only be talented but possessed of moral,
virtuous qualifications. Under an obliquity
OF moral principle, the talented and infiuen-
tial man can produce more injury TO com
Inunity than a mighty armed host The
true patriot is the man who avoids no dan
ger TO advance the interests Of the country
he calls his own. He forsakes father and
mother, and cieaUcs unto hi: country. He
seeks no preferment, from selfish or base
motives-but from firm conviction-that
his devotion to certain principles, upon which
from his soul he believes the welfare of the
community is grounded-will enable him
10 procure peace, happiness, and tranquility
for those who have honored him with this
confidence. Such man, Sir, take il, you
all regard Mr.. Sergeant TO be, such man,
weare bound to consider him, even though
his course in life was altogether unknown
to US. He comes here sanctioned by high
authority. Two, Conventions, alike distin-
guished for talent & an ardent attachment to
what, from mature reflection and delibera-
ton, they consider necessary TO the preser-
walton OF the Temple OF our liberties from
proclamation and shame, speak-Clay and
Sergeant Then be it so-and let US after
selecting these gentlemen, be unceasing in
our exertions, TO enable them, not ficti-
tiously, but in truth and in fact, "to fill the
measure of their Country's Glory"
On the resolution to submit ar address TO
the people Virginia, Mr. BRENT. Offered
erick, rose and said
In a government constituted like ours,
where every thing connected with the ma
tional welfare and happiness depends upon
the will and suffrages OF the people, there is
no other guarantee for its permanence than
the diffusion ofall political knowledge. No
party can aspire to purity of motive or can
dor of action, which seeks to conceal from
the public scrutiny the objects and means of
its policy. 1t may be the interests OF those
whom we politically oppose, TO shroud their
deeds in darkness, and even when announc-
ing the results of their cabaliStic delibera-
lions, to avoid all attempts at justification.
Enough for their unholy league that the
watchword of party is passed But Sir,
ours will be a higher course. We do not
propose TO address the people Of Virginia in
order that we may defend bad cause with
ingenious argument, but the very same mo-
tive which induced our revolutionary ances.
tors, struggling in the hottest Of human caus-
es, 10 declare to the world the reasons which
impelled them to a separation from existing
institutions, now directs and consecrates
our solemn appeal against corrupt and i'm
beetle administration. If the language Of
truth can avail any thing to bring back a
misguided people to the vantage ground of
their high and jealous liberty, then ought
the united voices of this Convention to be
heard invoking the slumbering senses of this
distinguished State. And if, perchance, the
crisis be already past, 81 the people will con
tinue TO hug the fatal decisions Of infatua-
ton, then Sir, we owe il TO ourselves TO en-
roll amidst the archives OF the nation, the
plain reasons which have associated US to-
gether, and animated cur members with one
spirit of patriotic harmony, that posterity
and the world "may know holC' the march
of usurpation and tyranny was opposed by
the devotion of few.
There is another view in which the pro
priety ofthis resolution will be clearly man
ifestcd. In demonstrating the objections to
this Administration and foarlessly asserting
tho merits of our cause, we present a
forcible contrast to the conduct pursued by
our opponents. Theirs is a covert and insd-
uous warfare, planned by the restless
brains OF official conspirators against the lib
critics Of this nation, and carried on by the
secret patronage of government They have
,,ry,no ac>ant. ond bvey raI,tor. ~. eo,