Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-07-06

facturers Convention" Mr. Van Buren, de-
clared that he was accidentally absent when
the tariff bill of 1927 was lost-that he could
scarcely be suspected of wanting zeal in be-
hall OF the system Of protection-( especial
ly the protection of WOOL as he owned
more than $50 900 worth of sheep AS the
iieeces OF these sheep were to have been en-
HANGED by that bill, Mr.. Van Buren, seems
10 have regarded them as so many hostages
which he had given TO the American Sys-
tenn. After thus aiding in sending dele
gates 10 the Convention of Manufacturers,
and being instrumental in forwarding the
celebrated Harrisburg Convention, Mr.
! Van Buren's political friends moved 10 in
struct him during the ensuing session on the
subject OF the tariff. They instructed him
TO vote for such tariffas would "afIord a
snfilcient protection TO the growers OF wool /,
hemp and flax, and the manufactures of iron
woollens, and every other article, so far as
the same may be connected with the inter
ests OF manufactures, agriculture and COM
merce." These are The vague and indefinite
Instructions, (thus gotten up by Mr.. Van
Buren's partizans) which are now relied on =,
to extenuate or RUSTY his vote for the tariff OF
lS2S-which has driven the Union, wefear,
10 the verge of dissolution. This shallow
excuse comedies that Mr.. Van Buren, does
not regard protective tariff as unconstitu-
tional-a doctrine which lies in our estima-
ton at the foundation of the whole system
we have never heard, however, that Mr..
Van Buren, was instructed 10 vote for the tar
iii OF 1927 and those preceding it, or to make
speech during that year, in which he ayow-
Ell himself in favor OF the system.
While these acts and opinions are unex-
planned and unatoned for, we cannot regard
MIR. Van Buren, possessing those peculiar
claims TO the confidence OF the republicans
OF Virginia, which have been recently as
serted in his behalf We will not acknow-
ledge the humlliating necessity of making
YET any sacrifice, TO appease the ruthless spir-
II oil task master-nor can we cast the
principles OF our State into the political
scales TO be weighed down by "the Spoils of
Victory."
But you are told that Mr. Van Buren, is
recommended TO your confidence by the
nomination of the Baltimore Convention
Before you take such counsel, il were well
10 consider whence it proceeds. Ii is the
hrst time that Virginia ever doubted her
competency TO think, 10 decide and 10 act
for herself, according TO her own convic-
tons of duty. 1t is the first time that the
character dprinciples OF our State were
ever committed to the keeping of a northern
convention, TO be bartered away in polit-
cal auction, by the votes of New York and
New England.
We have already advcrted briefly TO some
OF the political traits of the candidate thus
nomlnated-let us now look for moment at
the source whence that nomination comes.
AS the reasons which induced the Balti-
more Convention TO recommend Mr.. Van
tn Al
Presidency, have not been assigned by those
who were most competent TO the task-we
are left to infer, they regarded his claims 10
your confidence, either as utterly indetensi-
BILE, or as self-evident That Convention
was composed ola Heterogeneous mass ofma-
terlals, made up of fragments of all the po-
litical parties which ever existed in our
country; and if that studied silence which
reigned over their conclave, had once been
broken, there must have been confusion of
tongues and principles, which would proba-
bly, have saved us the trouble of addressing
you. 1t is manifest that body composed of
such materials could have agreed on nothing
but the nomination of Mr.. Van Buren-and
that only, when no reasons were to be assign
ed for it.
When did Virginia ever take counsel of
the Federalists OF New England-the ultra
friends of the american system" from
New York-or ofGeorge K remer of Penn
sylvania? Why are they now the exclusive
guardians and conservators ofour principles
Are the disciples of Jefferson s. Madison to
be identified with such a Republican party
by the magic of such a convention We
look IN vain for the republican principles
which animate this party, in the public char
acter OF him whom they have nominated
or IN she history of those who constituted
majority of that Convention.
BY what right did this Baltimore Conven-
ton assume TO regulate that party which
brought Andrew Jackson into power, and
which alone can ensure his reelection? 1t
was composed ofdelegates from all the New
England States, in none of which, save
New Hampshire, has the election or admin
istration of General jackson ever received
any support.
The entire votes of six States, which are
known TO be favorable to Mr.. Claws cleo
ton, were unceremoniously transferred TO
the account of Mr.. Van Buren,; while Penn
sylvania was coded on the authority Of Mr..
Kremer, Notwithstanding the unexampled
unanimity Of that State against Mr. Van
Buren's election. A portion of the dele
gates from Virginia 20 that Convention, re-
presented counties and cities known 10 be
unfavorable to General Jackson's re-elec-
ton. Thus, have many states and counties,
which will certainly Uote for Mr.. Clay, con-
tributed TO this nomination Of Mr.. Van Blu
rem.
Such is the Candidate-and such the nom
ination by which he is recommended to you.
1t remains to be seen, wether you are prepa-
red to ratify this first act of systematic de-
sign to subject you to the control of a nor