Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-01-13


rived when it is necessary to designate
candidate for the succession whose name
may be "a rallying point and principle
oil union among the citizens who are OPP
posed to the reelection of Andrew
Jackson.
In looking round the country for
such a person. it is almost superauous to
say, that the eyes Of all are instinctively
directed towards that ilustrious citizen,
who, after occupying the most destin-
guished places in the gift OF the people
and in all the departments of the admin
iStration, has dwelt for some years past
in tranquil retirement in the bosom of
the West. The qualifications and SER
vices of HENRY CLAY are too well
known to require the aid of our testimo-
ny. As statesman, advocate and ora
tor, he has been from his youth upward
the pride of our courts and legislative
halls. AS an ardent, fearless, and con-
sistent friend of liberty and republican
institutions, he has endeared himself to
their friends throughout the world
His devotion TO this great cause, furnish
es the surest guaranty that he will on all
occasions, assert the supremacy of the
laws, and that Executive power in his
hands, will be their faithful auxiliary.--
AS one Of the principal founders and
supporters of the American System, he
is entitled to the warm support of all
who desire the prosperity of the great
cause of domestic industry and internal
improvement. The signal success with
which he conducted the affairs of the
Department of State evinces his capaci-
ty for the actual business Of administra-
ton while the general frankness and
captivating warmth of his manners, emf
nently fit him for station, where in order
to be useful. it is necessary to conciIiate
the public favor as well as transact with
ability the public business. He has al
ready been designated in various ways,
and in all quarters of the country. as the
candidate oftbe Opposition, and we con-
slider it the duty Of all good citizens to
use all the means In their power for the
purpose of securing his election.
In proposing, in sonnexion with the
name of HENRY CLAY, as a candidate
for the presidency, that ofJOHN SER
GEANT as candidate for the Vice
Presidency Of the United States, the
Convention offer to your suffrages a citi-
zen Of acknowledged talents, various ac-
complishments, large experience in the
highest and most honorable public trusts,
unblemished reputation, and the most
ardent and unwearied zeal for the hon
or and interest Of the country. Penn
sylyania has looked up to him as one Of
her chief ornaments, and the citizens of
other parts of the Union, in placing him
in the second Office in the Executive
Department of the Government, will be
happy to show their concurrence in SEN
timent with that great and patriotic
State.
Without meaning TO encourage an un-
due confidence which would only gene
rate inactivity; we believe that, with
proper exertion, the success of the good
cause is beyond the possibility of doubt.
The present Administration has for some
time past been justly discredited in pub
lie opinion. General Jackson h,s been
gradually losing, ever since the com
mencement of his official term, the pop
ularity with which he entered it
Whole sections OF the Union have been
alienated from him by his strange and
inconsistent course upon the Tariff and
Internal Improvement. Extensive in
terests have been thrown into opposi-
ton by his reckless and unaccountable
denunciation of the Bank. Many of
his ablest paTtizans among the public
writers have deserted him, and if any
considerable portion of rejecting men
still adhere to his standard, the wan
ton attacks upon the Judiciary Depart
ment must have driven them from it in
disgust. The unity of his party is com
pletely broken up, by the late open rup-
ture between the friends ofthe Y. Presi-
dent and the Secretary of State and at
this moment the citizens opposed to his
reelection, constitute large majority of
the whole population of the United
States. Under these circumstances it is
quite apparent, that nothing is wanted
but zeal, activity and concert, to ensure
success.
The aspect ofthis convention-the u
nanimity and spirit which have marked
its proceedings-and the favorable re-
suits which may be expected from its
influence upon the community, afford
ample security that these requisites will
not be deficient.
Such, fellow citizens, is the character
of the present Administration are
the motives for changing il, and such are
/ the npreone " hon, .,,e recoponnepd IN Won