Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-04-16
Mr.. McDUFFIE's SPEECH,

Mr.. McDUFFIE'S SPEECH,
Continued from the Alexandria Gazette April IL.
What rejecting patriot can contemplate this
mighty host of executive janizaries, more terri
BILE than an army of Northern barDarlanS SUNNI
lated by the hopes of plumber, without pro-
found sense of alarm and apprehension Tor the
fate of our institutions? They are in the midst
of US: they insinuate themselves into our sane
tuaries, amongst our domestic affairs ana mousse
hold gods. and, under artfu DISCUSSES and by
incessant and untiring efforts, obtain a control
over public opinion, by communicating its very
sources and elements. We have seen how in
other countries similar means have been en-
ployed to effect the purposes of ambitions when
Oliver Cromwell was preparing TO Subvert the
liberties of England, it was his custom to say,
at each successive advance in his progress
"This power is not of my seeking. 1t came to
me from God, by the choice of the aFmg, the
usual channel through which the divine mercles
are dispersed to the nation, in these latter
daysr And how long will it be before some
American Cromwell, elevated to the throne of
Empire by this army of political saints shall
say to us this is not of my seeking, 1t came
to me from the people, by the choice of those
disnterested patriots who hold offices and serve
the country purely for the sake of conscience,
and who are the usual channels through which
the favor of the people is dispensed in these lat
= ter days.
Have we not already seen the ominous signs
of this approaching catastrophe, in our own
heavens2 NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Apprehension
if you can-the spectacle recently exhibited in
the State of Ohio; read the proceedings and
anayze the composition and character of that
extraordinary and selfconstituted convention
which assembled together for the purpose of no
minating successor to the present Chief Ma
pistrate And although this administration
came into power under solemn pledge to re-
deem the popular elections from the tampering
influence of ofice-holders yet this convention,
wothrds of which consisted of office holders,
notoriously proceeded under the banner OF the
ChiefMagistrate to nominate his successor; and
the voice of this mercenary assembly has been
hailed, throughout the ranks of the faithful, as
the voice of the people, or what seems TO be of
still higher authority, the voice of the party"
will now advert to another sign, which
have deeply regretted to perceive. and which |
cannot but regard as one of the most fearful in
dications of these inauspicious times. What
have we seen in the great State of Pennsylva-
mia, heretofore standing proudly pre- eminent
among the States of this Union, and justly re-
garded as the keystone of the Federal arch?
Do you recollect the political history of that
State for the last twelve months? Little more
than that period has elapsed since her legisla
ture resolved, by an almost unanimous vote,
that it was both constitutional and expedient to
recharter the Bank of the United States, and in
structed their Senators and requested the Rep
>reSentatives here to use their efforts to effect
that measure
And yet we have seen that legislature, with no
earthly reason to justify the change but that
which was given by the French granadier who
dispersed the Chamber of Deputies" the Ge-
neral has given orderS"-entrely change its po-
sition in regard to the great question so deeply
involving the vital interests of the State can
not believe that the legislature is true expo
nent of the sentiments ofthe people.
But however that may be, is it at all surpris-
inc that the President should be delirious with
ho 10 m oic nj
huence Illustrated by such extraordinary eff
fectS2 He has almost literally realized the vi
sion of the mailman, who assembled a lofty
mountain, surveyed from his proud pre-emi-
nence the almost boundless horizon, and swell
ing with the conception that he swayed the
sceptre of universal empire exclaimed in
voice Of authority, kingdoms, to the right
about facet" Yes, sir, "the General has given
orders and they have been obeyed; but trust
in God that the sovereign people Of the ancient
and venerable Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
will not be as subServent as those who have be-
trayed her interests, and proved recreant to her
principles.
Let us no longer delude ourselves with the vi
sion of freedom, if such be the power of one
man Is it the crown that makes the king, Mr.
Speaker, or the sceptre2 Is it the mere pomp
and circumstance of power, or the substance of
power, unlimited, uncomfortable power, that
makes the despot?
say unto you, sir, and to the gentleman from
AcHHcSSte, WHOSc iutcSAlty vi pupOSC OOHl-
mands my respect, that, let him firmly establish
this theory of executive omnipotence and Off
cial dependence, and connect it, as it is doom
ed to be connected, by all the laws of political
affinity with that system of party discipline
which is so admirably exemplified in certain
political school, which holds its deliberations
under the auspices of saint not known, / be-
lieve, to the Christian Calendar*-once esta-
blish that theory and this practice, and you arm
the President of the United States with power
toto fOE r
the vastly deep, to do his errands,' and they
qcW come
s'-As when the potent rod
OF Abrams son in Egypts evil day,
Waved round the coast, up called pitchy
cloud
Of locusts Wrapping on the Eastern wind,
That DER the realm of impious Pharaoh
hung
Like night, and darkened all the land of
Nile.n