The Arkansas advocate., 1835-08-21

chaffs field is open to the patrietics the bold, and the ambitious. The e--contest has commenced.
 NO.1.
 THE PRESTDENTTaL QUESTION. To the Editor of the Advocate:-
 SIR-If you can spare me the room, l should like ta address few numbers to the f people of Arkansas, on the subject of the approaching Presidential election, and the candidates presented to the people for their sufrages. Although it Is highly probable, and much to be desired, that Arkansas will have voice in the decision of this great question, do not know that should have occupied my pen on this subject, were not well aware that systematic and continued efforts are making to create all impression among our citizens in favor of one of the candidates for the highest office in the peo- ple's gift, to wit, Martin Van Brren. The space that shall occupy will be but small, and shall attempt to convey what have to say in as few words as possible.
 Conceiying that there are but two candi- sdates between whom Arkansas will be call- ed on 10 decide, shall confine myself ex- clasively to them. Webster is entirely out of the questiou--and Harrison may be talk cd of but will not be run.
 propose first to examine the claims of Van Buren to the votes of the people of the. Southwest. This will of course include d review, and hope candid and dispassion- ate one, of his course as a public man, apd his principles. so far as they can be judged of from his previous course.
 am not aware that 1 am preiudiced against Mr. Van Buren. is friend and supporter of the measures of the President, he would certainly merlt my gratitude. and the support of the Nest-unIess there should be good reason to fear that he would be hostile te our interests, or waver- ing and uncertain in the policy of his admi- nistraion.
 The strongest claim urged by his sup porters, for Mr. Van Buren, is the fact that he has been nominated by the Baltimore i Convention. Let Us then examine this ground, and see what vantage 1t gives him, and what title to our support.
 1 very well recollect, that one of my ear Iliest reflections, when was.a mere boy, on l the subject of the election of President, vas that the people had very little 10 do in the matter. This idea struck ne many years ago-when there were no grand Corven- tioHs, made for theatrical effect, 10 catch ] the people with clap-trap and stage trickery. It struck me that in the election of a Pfesi- dents t was rather few great men, than the | ,ios I didafes were picked and chosen for us, and we had just the choice of voting either for l that man or that-oue of two. There was very little of personal and individual prefer ence in the matter. But, sir, when 1t is gravely stated that every man who votes against Marlin Van Buren, or Hugh L. White, or any body else, ceases to be d re- publican, am forced to conclude that free election and independent votes are all humbUg. Had the Baltimore Convention, however, been actually the voice of the peo- pie, or even the voice of the Democratic party, 1 would have been foterabiy well re- conciied to il. So far, however, from this being the fact-so far from the Convention being in truth 6'esh from the people, it was an unauthorized and irresponsible body and the great Republican party is by no means bound by it's voice.
 1T IS plain fact, sir, which cannot and will not be denied, that fine Baltimore Con- vention was composed, in great part, of of flee holders. These are a class of citizens of course entitled 10 their votes, but of whose influence, when exerted in behalf Of one who gives them ofiee, we should af- ways be stspisinu5. | would not desire fo disltanehise them--b,l they should femem- Der that men whose motives may reasona- bly be suspected, act properly by afsempt- ing to sway and guide she. people as little as possible. Whenever there has been con- test between tyranny and liberty, the office holders have naturally been fonBd on the side of inc former. Itis too frequently the case that they compose class separate and distinct from the people.
 The New York Delegation in the Con- vention were notonousIy composed in a great measure of office holders--as also were the meetings by which they were en1- powered to act. In the New York State Convention assembled to send Delegates to the Baltimore Convention, there were eighteen Postmasfers. On the Committee appointed to select Delegates, there were taeefre Postmasters; and of the Delegates selected five were Postmasters. About thirty members of the Louisiana Leglsla- lure appointed Delegates for lhe whole State. fhe Postmasters, Custom House