South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1834-09-13
From the Richmond Wing of Sept. Q.

As to the reasons which have inAuenc.
ed US TO support Mr.. Leigh in preference
10 Mr.. Clay, we have repeatedly detailed
them at length, and they are familiar to
our readers. But it may not be amiss a.
gain briefly to advert to them. la the
first place then, Mr.. Leigh acknowledges
unreservedly, that maxim which we be.
Iieve vital-which if conformed to, the IN
ion will continue to endure for unknown
generations, until The citizens Of this coun~
try in the natural progress of nations, be-
come corrupt, worthless and effeminate,
and are no longer worthy Of liberty-and
which ifnot conformed to, the distractions
of the last Ia years must increase from
year to year, as Legitimate power is seiz,
ed upon by our rulers, and exercised OPP
war, or to avoid it, peace is sought in dis.
union and separation. This golden max
i'm is that the federal agents shall be re.
stricted to the precise powers conceded
that Government by the Constitution.
x &
Mr.. Leigh has always acknowledged
the truth and Importance of, this funda-
mental rule. He has made less spiutler
about his principles and estate Rights"
than others; but the public have abun.
dainty learned in these latter days, that he
who cries wolf most frequently and loudly,
is not necessarily, the most faithful shep-
herd, and that the philosophy Of Addison
did not err, when the clustering and vocif.
erous patriot Sempronius, whose voice
was ''stil for war;" had Casar's commits
sion, The reward of treason to Cato and to-
Rome in his pocket, and when the mod.
est and siigmatized Lucius, who made no
parade OF his principles and his valor,
was found in the hour of danger prepared
10 die for liberty. MIR. Leigh did not ,rem-
BILE and turn pale at the rhetorical mon.
ster, light house il the sky /; he did not
Imagine, or magnify paltry dangers, to
elevate the credit 'cf his sagacity, or to
entitle himself to the rewards Of party.
lie pursued while real danger was at a
distance, the even tenor of his way, undes
slrous OF notoliety, Of party emoluments,
and OF public employment. But, when
the danger really came, he abandoned the
tranquility ofpriyate life, at the call Of
public duty-when menaced tyranny
plainly revealed its hideous lineaments,
he was prompt and bold to defend the
rights Of the people and the integrity of
The laws and Constitution, and in the con-
filct which since December has ragged with
doubtful fortune between Liberty and Des-
polistn, Liberty has had no holder cham
pion, Tyranny no more dreaded foe.
That Mr.. Leigh recognizes, approves,
and will practice, the fundamental rule,
that the Government shall abstain from
the exercise OF every doubtful power, and
that This is more than can be predcated of
MIR. Clay, although he is gradually re-
turning 10 the doctrines of his earIv life.
is sufficient justification of our suppor,
OF The former. But we have yet other. and
as circumstances are, stronger reasons for
the preference. Mr.. Leigh's election
would more than Mr.. Clay's, be a salve
for the wounds of the country. Political
asperily, except in Virginia, where Van
Burenism has excited it for its intriguing
purposes, is not felt against MIR. Leigh
The U. States would cheerfully acquiesce