Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-03-06

tangible meaning TO their minds. Their
historical reading had taught them. that
the trainers OF the Constitution found the
Government in anarchy and left II in or
der; that they found the currency and
revenue IN ruins, aud left both in q state
of exalted prosperity; and that one Of the
instruments by which this change had
been effected, was National Bank, bear.
ing almost equal date with the Constitu-
ton itseif-a bank Of the same kind which
The PRESIDENT had stigmatized as mon
strous continuance above and against both
The Constitution and the law. Fearing
however, that IL might lead 10 a contro.
versy about facts and history, and unwil.
ling to contend with one whose opportu-
mites at least had been better than their
own, they ahstained from inquiries which
their curiosity strongly urged. but which
promised TO lead 10 no useful result.
The interview had now lasted about an
hour. and during that period il had been
impossible for the delegates, without un.
pardonable rudeness towards the Chief
Magistrate OF the nation, 10 explain 10
him their business and their wishes. 10
had become Obvious, moreover, that his
mind was occupied by view Of The
subject, which would nenisaI;zs the ef.
fsets Of facts or reasoning; that he regard.
ed the whole question as 4 contest be-
tween the Bank on the one hand, and him
and HIS Government On the other; a con-
test in which the people had no concern.
except as they might array themselves 40
partisans Of either; that he considered his
own power, and the stability Of His Gov
eminent staked upon the issue; and, con.
sequently, that the arguments Of those
who disclaimed connection with either
party, and owned no allegiance but 10
truth and justice, and the common veal,
would either be rejected without q hear
ing. or, il heard, would be utterly disre-
garded.
The delegates, therefore, as soon 40
this painful and Gas free citizens, they
must add humiliating conviction was
forced upon their minds, rose to take
leave One OF their number seized the
opportunity Of a parting word to say, with
emphasis. that, TO the President, and 10
his conduct in removing the public dcpo-
sites, the citizens Of Philadelphia attribut-
ed the distress under which they labor.
His reply to this remark was but repe-
ti,ion Of assertion previously made. and
the delegates retired with no cause Of
complaint as 10 their personal treatment.
but indignant that the voice Of more than
ten thousand citizens could be deemed by
the President unworthy his attention, and
with sad conviction that the high places
Of power, in a land Boosting Of its free
dom, were closed and barred against IN
palIatable truth"
Curious as all this is; fruitful as il 10
speculation and remark, it has not
made half the impression on our minds
that has been produced by the serious,
(and we may say solemn) tone Of the
closing passage ofthc Report. Hear
themi
Again: The system by which the re-
venue Of the country is now collected and
distributed in opposition to law, and 10
violation Of solemn contract that sys-
tenn TO which the community is indebted
for all its sufferings--is deliberately spok-
en- of by tho President Of the United
States rs an EXPERIMENT which he is de.
termined 20 try; and on the failure Of
which he will endeavor 10 find some suita-
BILE remedy for the injuries it has oeca-
stoned.
Is there an American citizen, who can
listen 10 such declaration without serious
alarmp Is there citizen who will not in
quire by what authority il is, that tho
fruits Of his industry and the hopes ofhis
offspring are made the subject of wanton
or useless experiment?
Is there citizen who will not pronounce
that such power, if il exists at all, exists
by usurpation, and not under the letter
Of the Constitution?
The fact is, this movement 10 but the
last Of long series Of experiments upon
that credulity and independence Of the A.
merican people, all tending TO the same
object, 10 PROSTATE public opinion at the
feet Of faction, and secure to that fac
ton both permanent and unlimited power.
Hitherto, these experiments have seemed
TO be successful. A disciplined array of
office holders and Office seekers, the stand.
| ing army Of executive influence, have con-
! trived, in a great mearure, TO suppress
public sentiment, and to substitute in its
place slavish echo of their masters will.
industrious and quiet, and unambitious
citizens, with nothing TO ask Of The Gov
vernment but protection, have abstained
too much from public affairs, and have
left the Government Of the country in the
hands of small, but active and organ>
lied minority. The last great effort of
that faction, 10 place the whole revesua
at the disposal of the Executive. and 10
grasp the purse with the Same hand that
yields The sword, will if il proves success
full. fix their power beyond the danger OF
disturbance"
And, in conclusion:
zone word OF exhortation 10 their fel.
low citizens, and the delegates have done.
II is no common occasion which has call.
ed for this unprecedented assemblage.
The evils TO be averted are Of no common
character, and call for the exertion OF ex-
traordinary energy. A contest has com
menced-the parties 70 which are tba
People on the one hand. and the Exeea-
tive on the other-a contest full of diff
Guilty and involving our dearest interests
as citizens and as freemen let all so re-
gard II; and let all so conduct themselves
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