Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-08-07
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Monday EceMilsg, .Rug. g.

To the Peopie of the ssilusrious" county Of Abe
marie.
CLAY g. JACKSON-GWYNN,S CASE-B. b.
INTHE CHARLOTrESVILLEAD ADVOCATE.
A sonsibc-and in some respects-candid writer
in tho charlottesville Advocate, discusses the rela
tive claims of Messrs. Clay and Jackson to ,hesup-
port of Virginia, upon principle, and arrives at the,
not unnatural conclusion to Jackson man, that
there is not room, for hesitation in rejecting
the former. He has the honorable frankness to
admit tho improperly of the Presidents conduct in
the virtual humiliation, of the coordinate rights
OF 'he Senate, in Gwynn's lie essentially
eedcs the irdefousbility Of the removal of Judge
smith of Florida, not only without the imputation
of misconduct in, or out of Office, but in opposition
&c the unanimous wishes of his circuit, and in the
Fare Of testimonials proclaiming distinguished ju-
dical merit. We say, the Charlottesville writer
substantially admits all this, but his candcr seems
to be exhausted in the effort. He pronounccs them
comparatively immateria,' and deems the Anne
rcan People "far Intelligent" to be 'ed astray"
by them. Indeed! We had imagined that the pre-
servation ofthe checks and balances provided by
the Constitution, not only involved principle, but
the only security of public liberty. We had
supposed that could admit the President to
have virtually suspended the functions of the Sc
ment to public office, entirely into his own hands,
without perceivng also in the act an infraction of
the Constitution palpable and dangerous, and the
overthrow ofthat distribution of constitutional now
er which was most wisely designed to prevent abuse,
oppression and ultimate despotsm. The Charlottes-
vile writer, however, considers it comparatively
immaterial," although we will engage, mighty
stickler for State Rights and strict construction!
He regards the faults of Jackson in the light which
Brutus did those of Casyius 1.-The name of Cassius
honors the corruption, and chastsement doth
therefore hide his head" The writer seems capa-
Ole of candor and fairness. He has displayed them
in the instances we have cited. Let him summon
those virtues to aid in the investigation and ask his
heart, what view he would have taken, what
thoughts he would have expressed of the President
ial usurpaton in Gwynns case, had sulied the Adj
mnistration of John Quincy Adams, instead of
adding another and darker shade, to the rule of
Gen. Jackson! Wouldhc in that case. have cast
about for mild and assuaging terms to describe it,
Would he have sought to lessen the dignity OF the
offence In order to the culprt, and disdan
ed to admi. it into the estimation of relative and
hostile claims insignificant and immuteral? Or
would he have pounced upon it and hold it aloft TO
challenge the observation, and receive the reproba-
ton OF every Republican in the land? And because
the name of Jackson, .honors the corruption"
can he, or any other enlightened American citizen,
be SO lost &c the claims of tho Constitution and of
Liberty, sunk in the idolatry of man orship,
as to forget the violator in servile adulation of
the man? 1t is melancholy enough to sec tho
ignorant and unthinking, more devoted TO n
man than TO their country warmed into
huzzas at the sound Of his name, and gazipr
on his imaginary virtues in stupid admiration
,inr CT ho H., r
mankind seem do med to perpetual ignorance
But what hope is there for the maintenance of
Free Institutions, when the onlightened-when
such men the writer at Charottesvle-catch
the contagion of man worship, and find in the
name of a Chieftain, virtue and charm superior
to the calls of the Constitution sufficient to stifle
| the exercise of candor and independence?
| We should he glad to know, ,Dhy the usurpation
of the rights of the Senate by Gen. Jackson is
considered ''immatcral," compared with the uncon-
stitutonal construction of road, or the uncon-
stitutional collection of duty iron or salt?
The writer deems the last of the first consequences
of such consequence, that because Gen. Jackson is
supposed by him to be less favorable to them than
Mr.. Clay, he thinks therefore, that Virginia ought
not to "hesitate' to prefer Gen. Jackson. We
deny the business of his reasoning and of his
ciusion We affirm. (even granting the Tariff and
power oil Improvement to be unconstitutional, for
the sake of argument,) that the usurpaton consum-
mat ed In Gwynn's case, is the more papable, and
the more alarming. The best and wisest patriots
have differed upon the constitutionalty of the Ia
J riff and Improving powers. Their exercise implies
no ,o to usurP, and their operation is intended to
be, and TO the immense majority is, in their direct
effects beneficent But where shall the citizen, the
intelligent citizen, he found, not erpectant or
recipient of Executive bounty who will hazard his
credit with an enlightened Public, by undertaking
to vindcatc tho usurpation in Gwynn's case? The
| understrappcrs of the Globe, and their allies in
interest, the Office holding and Office seeking gentry
about the country, may attempt defenc5, but no
uninterested citizen has attempted, or will attempt
it. There can be two opinions among minds
intelligent and independent, of the character of
Gwynn's last appointment. The Senate has been
annuled-its decree has not only been disre garded
but the very reverse of that decree carried into
execution, at the arb AIRY pleasure of the Execu-
tive Thirteen States, speaking in their sovereign
ty in the Senate of the u. States have been DISC
beyed with contempt, and the act was preceded by
the strongest and bitterest denunciations of that
body in Presidential conversations! Yet the Char.
lottcsvie writer, who admits the wrong, is pleased
as Gen. jackson did it--for really we can see no
other reason for the opinion-to consider il 'com.
paratiyely immaterial" Whom Congress commit =
breach of tho Constitution, must in impartiality
ascribe it to wish to promote the public good,
through the instrumentay Of the doubtful mea
sure. They have motive other than the
welfare Of their constituents. But where shall wa
look for redceming trait or circumstance in the
Gwynn usurpation? Was the particular selection
of E,gUuu at all necessary for the public scrvico7