Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-03-13

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point OF time, to reach Harrisburg in order to
| control the choice of tho convention, without af
iording time for the minds of its members to rally
ana the loud and deep tone of indignation
| which so bod and audacious an interference on
| the part OF the President must excite with tho
people OF Pennsylvania, who had already instruct.
cd large majority of the mombers of the sonvon.
non TO nominate citizen of that State. That this
daring and unconstitutional attempt, the part
OF the President, has been preceded by every ar,
winch ingenuity or corruption could suggest, in
tomPering with and acting tho hopes aud fears
| OF the members of the convention, cannot be
doubted; and 1T now romans to be seen, whether
| Tins bold and corrupt attempt, in character with
out parallel IN our government, has sue ccedcd
| or not-whether the members of tho convention
In Iuihiment OF their instruction, Of tho known
| wishes OF their constituents, have nominated INV
one OF tho candidates known to DO tho fayor,te ~
| inc state; or whether they have succumbcd to
| .hls extraneous, unconstitutional, and unheard of
| interference OF tho executive power here.
| III to these reflections We add the means which
! have been resorted to in tho correspondence; the
attack of the Executive Branch of the Govern
ment, vested by the Constitution with tho no nina
nng ana appointing power, on coordinate branch,
| vested with tho power, TO advise and consecutive
think tho most Indifferent and inattontve cannot
ah 10 be alarmed with the indications Of the times
| nat part OF tho members of the Legislature of
t no largest member of the confederacy, and they.
.oo. ealing themselves Republican, (they ough
rathor to be called slaves of despotic and corrunt
pohtical orgapzation,) should act rs agents in in
PRODUCING tho Chief Magistrate of the Union into
tn's disgraceful scene; publicly exhibiting himself
as the champion OF favorite, and tho assailant
OF Coordinate branch of the government acting
IN ITS undoubted constitutional sphere, adds the
hnishing stroke to this humiliating and alarming
| spectacle. e
| "A great question remains-to the real rcpubli
cans OF the country-to those who have not bent
the Knee to Baal-to those devoted to the prcser.
sa'ioh OF inc Constitution--to those opposed to
tho inroads of corruption-to those IN favor of n
rahi
which must solcmnly press upon them is, what is
TO be donei We all know the embarrassment
which they feel in choosing between Gen. Jackson
ana ms rival opponent. 1t is time to speak out.
we all Know that the last ligature of confidence
was almost broken; still they felt profound en
parrassment-they knew not how to withdraw,
wnen 1t was impossible to 90 over TO tho opposite
sioe. Gan this last lgaturo, thus weakened, still
continue to bear them, as by some fatal enchant-
ment, after this extraordinary exhibition? Will
thcy withdraw, inactive, un.aed, despairing spec
tators OF struggle. in which it is impossible for
them to wish success to either side? or will thev
rally upon their own strength, be their numbers
iew or great, nobly determined not to participate
IN struggle where principle inhibits; but resolved
ieariess OF consequences, to defend those great
principles, the maintenance of which they believe
TO be essential to the preservation of our admira.
pie SYSTEM the very existence of which is at stake?
we are, in Holy Writ, told that five righteous men
could have saved the doomed cities of Sodom and
Gomorah and who can say, but with the approba
ton of Providence the united effort of those who
still maintain their political integrity may not vet
save our beloved country and its favored insttu
tons.
eve have put forth these thoug almost with.
out premeditation, under those strong feelings
winch so extraordinary scene is calculated to ex-
cite. They may be too high toned they may be
more tervid than what the cold precepts of pru
dcnce would dictate; but they are at least honest
ly and virtuously, and periodically entertained.
1--WE will return, at more leisure, to n detailed
examination of the correspondence itself, which,
II we 40 not "..Ystake instead of allowing, will be
found to aggrayate the feelings of modification
ana ALARM which every virtuous and intelligent
mind experiences on it's first perusal''
CoMMENr.--No candid man will doubt or deny
that the letter of the President was designed for
electoneering purposes; that the opportunity was
afforded him designedly, and SO timed, as to pro-
duce effect at Harrisburg, where the Convention
to nominate Vice President assembled on the
9Th, and at Richmond, where things were in
state of dubiety, from which the Presidents boldly
casting his influence into the scale for Van
Buren,, might relieve them. Another thing
is equally manifest, if indeed it ever was
doubtful; namely, that General Jackson has
cspoused the side Of Mr.. Van Buren,, and has in
this letter, thown off all disguise, and unequivo-
cally, solicited his nomination as Vice President
We make no observation upon the indeccncy of
President of tho u. States becoming a partizan
and making open efforts to direct the succession of
the power which he enjoys; we go for the fact;
we challenge denial of it. Will the Jackson OPP
ponents of Mr.. Van Buren,, any longer preserve
their false pesiton7 Will they still cling to Jack
sonism, and affect attachment for leader who has
put his foot upon their necks? Will they still be
coy-still jealous of the reputation Of Jacksonism
still fearful of struggling against coming de-
struct:on, lest forsooth thew shoud no susneoto d
of Clayisml Green advises that they withdraw
from the contest in digni6ed disgust. He thinks
that tho nobIer But would not tho nobler
course be to unite with those who they themselves
confess to be (see Telegraph of the 9th ultl tho
only honest party in the Government but them
seivss-who like them combating power and
us corrupt lnluence-lke them, aiming to wrest
the Government from an irresponsible set of
Agents, who from behind the throne, direct ali
things to their own aggrandizement, and by a cor
ruPt system OF tactics, propose to perpetuae their
power by transferring the succession to Van BUREN,
Would not this say, be the nobler course7
Would they have Jackson for four years, and Van
Buren, for eight-or would they take Henry Clay
Tor eight? Would they prefer to the Govern
mcnt administered by man of commanding
genius, of lofty views, Of wide rcnown-
or by an imbscile and doting old man, whose
nominal rule must he attended with all the mis-
chieis OF Regency; whose powers must in the
nature OF things be welded in effect, by irrcspon.
sibie favourites, thus enjoying the substance of
power swithout its accountability, and conscious of
popular dctestuton intent to indemnify themselves
by the spells of the people for the peoples hatrcd7
VIII they prefer cunning Van Buren, for t,reIre
years. TO Henry Clay, open, gallant and magnani.