Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-07-02


for such tariff as would - afford sufficient pro-
lection to the growers OF vol, hemp, and flax,
add the manufactures Of iron and woollens and
every other article, SD far as the same may be
connected with the interests of manufactures,
agriculture and commerce" These are the vague
and indefinite instructions, THUS gotten, up BY
Mr.. Van Buren's partiZans,) which are now re-
lied on, to extenuate or justify his vote tor the
tariff OF 1Ss8--whch has driven the. Union, we
fear, to the verge of dissolution. This shallow
excuse comedies that Mr.. Van Buren, does not
regard protective tariff as unconsttutionaI-a
doctrine which lies in our estimation at the foun-
daton Of the whole system. We have never
heard, however, that Mr.. Van Buren, was in
structed to vote for the tariff Of 1927, and those
preceding it, or to make his speech during that
year, in which he avowed himself in favor Of the
system.
While these acts and opinions are unexplained
and unatoned for, we cannot regard MIR. Van
Buren, as possessing those peculiar claims to the
confidence OF the republicans of Virginia, which
have been recently asserted in his behalf. We
will not acknowledge the humiliatug necessity
of making yet another sacrifice, TO appease the
ruthless spirit of task. master-nor can we cast
the principles of our State into the political
scales to be weighed downby ''Me Spoits Of Iic-
tory"
But you are told that Mr. Van Buren, is recon-.
mended to your confidence by the nomination OF
the Baltimore Convention. Before you take such
counsel, it were we'll to consider whence it pro-
ceets. 1t is the first time that Virginia ever
doubted her competency to think. to decide and
act for herself. according to her own convictions
Of duty. 1t is the first time that the character
and principles of our State were ever to be bar
tered away in political auction, by the votes Of
New York and New England.
We have already adverted briefly to some Of
the political traits of the candidate thus nominal
ed-let US now look for a moment at the source
whence that nomination comes.
AS the reasons which induced The Baltimore
Convention TO recommend Mr.. Van Buren, TO
you, as a candidate for the Vice Presidency, have
not been assigned by those who were most com
petent to the task-we are left to infer, that they
regarded his claims to your confidence, either as
utterly indefensbe, or as self.evident. That
Convention was composed Of heterogeneous
mass OF materials, made up of fragments OF all
the political parties which ever existed 10 our
country; and i! that studied silence which reign.
ed over their conclave had once been broken,
there must have been a confusion of tongues and
principles, which would probably 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 assigned Tor it.
When did Virginia ever take council of the
FederalIsts of New England; the ultra friends Of
the "Amprican system" from New York-or
of George Kremer If Pennsylvania? WHY are
then nov the exclusive guardians and conserva.
tors of our prncipess Are the disciples OF Jetfer-
son aud Madison to BE- suddenly identified with
such Republican party-by the magic OF such \
convention! We look IN vain for the republican
principles which animate this party, in the pub
&c character of him whom they have nominated
or in the history of those who constituted a
majority of that Convention
By what right did this Baltimore Convention
assume to regulate that party which brought An
drew jackson into power, and which alone can
ensure his re-eec,oua 1t as composed of dele
gates from all the New England States, in none OF
which, save New Hampshire. has the election or
the administration of General Jackson ever re.
ceived any support.
The entire vutes Of six States which are known
to be favorable to Mr.. Clay's election. were I'M
tremendously transferred to the account OF MIR.
Van Buren-whe Pennsylvania was coded on
the authority of Mr.. kremer, Notwithstanding
the unexamped unanimity of that State against
Mr. Van Buren's election. A portion OF the de-
lesates from Virginia to that Convention, repre-
scented counties and cities known to be unfavo-
rable to General Jackson's reelection. Thus,
have many states and counties, which will GER
rain!y cote for Mr.. CLAW, contributed to this no.
mination of Mr. Van Buren,.
Such is the Candidate-and such the nomlna.
ton by which he is recommended to you. 1t re-
mains to be seen, whether you are prepared to
ra,lfy this first Of systematic design to subject
YOU TO the control of northern regency. Our
in ercs are identified with yours-and we can
have hut one co,amon safety, or one common dan
ger with yourselves.
We would therefore invoke your aid'in endea-
vnring 20 aver, the evils which will too surely en-
sue. # we continue to slumber in mistaken secu-
ritz. The nominee Of the Baltimore Convention
has not merited our sufirages byhistegard Tor our
interests. our opinions. or our principles-nor is
he worthy of them because his name has been as.
suciated on this occasion with that OF Andrew
Jackson. Had any other name been substituted
by this Baltimore Convention, your suffrages
might have been claimed for precisely the same
reasons, and the individual thus nominated might
have been declared republican too, though OPP
90 al tho Tomato Of yOur pOiItICaI faith