Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-03-21

| which eleyateS and distinguishes US as
a nation, among the nations of the
earth; | am for preserving to the Gene
raj Government and the States respec-
lively, all those powers which are CIV
en- to the one and retained by the o.
theirs, as attested and declared by the
Constitution of the United States; hop
ing that that honoured instrument will
be preserved inviolate, until it shall be
consecrated in the estimation of pos
terity as an exemplification of human
wisdom and patriotism, beyond any
thing in the previous history of man.
| am equally opposed to what is called
secession on the one side, and consoli-
dation on the other. am equally adj
verse to the General Government ex-
ercising powers which have not been
granted 10 it by the Constitution, and
to any single State or numbero of States,
less than the Constitutional majority
Withdrawing twill from the Union. As
to the absurd and ridiculous notion call
ed notification, as it has prevailed in
South Carolina, it meets with SO little
countenance any where, without the
limits of that State, that it is almost
unnecessary for me to say how much
| abhor it.
In short-my political creed, as to
the free construction of the Constitu-
ton of the United States, is summed
up and made out ready to my hand in
President Jackson's late proclamation,
in substance and form more clearly,
strongly, and perspicuously, than |
could express it: the style and manner
of which is SO well adapted to the great
truths therein contained. To the ge-
neral doctrines laid down in that pro-
clamation, | am ready to SUBSCRIBE;
and not only feel it to be my duty, as
a citizen of the United States, to the
best of my feeble abilities, to support
and sustain our Chief Magistrate of the
| Union, in maintaining the principles
| therein set forth; but accord to him
my hearty appreciation and thanks for
having thus opportunity, firmly, and
decisively, asserted those principles,
at time when it appeared that an at
tempt was about to be made to sever
this happy Union, by the PRONUNCIATION
| of opposite, contrary and rulnous doc
trines Shat any State might secede
from the Union, for any cause she
might choose to assign, of the suffi-
cheney of which she was to be the sole
Judge.
| should not have thought itnecessa-
ry to make his declaration, didnot the
times seem to call upon every citizen
of our country, to rally upon princi-
Piles without regard to party or party
| distinctions: an emergency which
has already called forth that uniformi-
ty of sentiment on the subject, which
has, at all times, had an existence, and
in which | feel myself identified trust,
with large portion of my fellow-citi-
zens. The Union has been shaken in
some degree at'least, by the political
insanity of South Carolina, but trust,
it is not so easily rent asunder as some
are ready to suppose. 1.-THE measures
adopted by Congress for allaying the
Torment in the South, shall have the
desired effect, shall rejoice at it,
Such result is to be hoped for, and
most ardently desired. But we have
received a salutary admonition by
which we may profit in all time to come
to prevent the recurrence Of such dam
gerous excuses. | do not allude to
being prepared to put them down by
force and arms, but chiefly to cherish
ing and disseminating correct opinions
and sentiments with regard to the Con-
stituton of the United States; for re-
publican government like ours, can
only be maintained by public opinion.
| The turbulence of the South may
have been suppressed though not yet
subdued. The men who fomented it
have been disappointed, but it is said
that they will yet make further efforts
in that bad cause. These ought to be
met with all vigilance, firmness and
precaution, as trust they will, in which
shall be ready, at all times, most
willingly to bear my part. In the
course of long period my engage
ments have hitherto prevented me from
entering into political life, except on
one or two occasions. How | dis
charged my duty then, | leave to those
who have a knowledge of me TO say.
The Congressional district has been
quite recently arranged. 1t is large,
and the time, and that time so short
until the election, that it will be impos-
sible for me to see but a small number
of my fellow citizens in the district, If
it even were necessary for me to see
them. which hope is not.