Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-09-29

I, Washington Mirror,
Printed at the CITY of Washington, and
supporting the election of WILLIAM
HENRY HARRISON, TO the Presi-
dency of the United States.
If there be one feature more characteristic OF
our institutions than any other, il ~ that which
secures to the people the choice OF their pubic
servants. In providing for the contingency OF a
failure to elect a chief magistrate, our constitu-
ton directs that the choice shall deyolve upon
the House OF Representatives.. The cirenns,an
ces charged, whether falsely or mot, On .ne S,uI
tions SO made, have excited the jealousy "
people, who desire 10 keep the seserai uePart
ments Of the government independent OF each o
Their; feeling, as they instinctIyely. 10, mat :
revolution has already been accomplished thatl
we are no longer a Republic whes tne VII Of
ii the President controls the action Of congress.
we. who have closely observed the events OF
, The last few years have seen with deep alarm
4 the pro4ress Of despotism. lnlozo the pare sus
r n;cian that executive influence had penetrated
the halls OF Congress, drove the incumbent from
Office, and The new President came in pledged to
: reform all the abuses charged upon his predeces
sor. But what have VIC seen! The expendi-
r lures which, under the administration of Mr..
Adams, were less than thirteen millions, have
risen to upwards Of forty-scyen millions per an
um, taking the appropriations for the current
year; and the system of fayoritism and execu
live d~ictation, so forcibly condemned ia General
Jackson's first inaugural address, has become
the acknowledged basis upon which the candi-
date Of the party rests his expectations.
In 1928, no one suspected, indeed II never bad
been charged, that the officers Of the govern
ment had used their official station as a means of
speculation. But what do we now behoidr 1t
is known that the Post Master General, who, a
few years ago was the object OF party charity /;
who put up his principles and services for hire,
who received party contributions as a gratuity 4;
who came 10 this city deeply in debt, and has
since paid his debts and sustained extraordinary
expenses out Of a salary altogether amounting
to twenty one thousand dollars is a partner
and owns stock TO the amount OF fifty thousand
= dollars in one of the companies which have been
using the public MONIES to purchase public iandl
The question arises, how did he get this money?
Tho solution Of the question is that the greater
part of the stock was assigned 10 him, for the
use Of his name aud influence. II has also been
charged, and has not been denied, and we believe
{ il TO be true, that another Company gave fifty
thousand dollars Of stock TO the Attorney Gene
! raj for drawing up their articles OF association,
I and for the use of his name. MIR. kendail's stock
rose in the market so that il was selling for two
dollars Tor one paid in. The price was affected
by the distribution bill, so that it fell sixty per
cent, making a loss Of thirty thousand dollars
Still, however, leaving seventy thousand dollars,
r which the spectators in public lands have given
r 10 Amos Kendall for his influence.
Is il not time that every man who loves his
country-ihata all men who exercise any inlu-
ence over public opinion should exert that in
fiuence to arouse the sleeping energies of the
J people? Does any one doubt these tactst Is
any one so blind as not to sec that spectators
and office holders have leagued together that
8 they have abused the confidence which a gene
/, rous and conliding people have reposed in Gen.
Jackson and by using his name and popularity.
organized a party which proposes 10 pcrpetuate
its abuses, now in the person of Martin Fan Blu
2 ren, and next in the person OF Amos Kendali?-
n And what is tho argument which these men urge
upon the people, Is not their strongest argu.
ment the declaration that, unless the people sup
port Martin Van Buren,, the election must again
5 20 into Congress? We believe that the only
means Of defeating the election Of Martin Van
Buren, is TO unite in the support Of General Har-
u risou.
T Vermont gives 7 votes. Massachusetts II
New Jersey 8 Delaware 3
Pennsylvania 80 Ohio 81
Indiana 8 Illinois b
Missouri 4 Kentucky Is
Maryland 10 Virginia 23
. South Carolina ii North Carolina 10
III Tennessee Is Georgia IL
:: Making together POI votes, being City three
votes more than a majority of the VIII ole electo-
raj college.
: That a majority Of the electors Of these States
prefer the election of Gen. Harrison to that of
the Presidents nominee, we most sincerely be :
Ilieve and assured that all that is wanting to
elect General Harrison by the electoral colleges
is to demonstrate that it can be accomplished
/. we shall devote our humble efforts to harmonic
the elements in conlict, by enforcing a patriotic
surrender of personal preference on the altar of
public duty. Indeed, how proud a contrast does
General Harrison present, when compared TO
the corrupt spectators who are now using their
2 official stations and the public funds, TO enrich
themselves at the expense OF the people! He
has been for nearly forty years in the public ser.
i vice. He has negotiated a treaty by which the
! government have obtained a territory of vast ex-
tent. lie has disbursed millions of public mo-
ney /; and the breath Of suspicion has never
whispered that he abused his trust. He has ne.
yer received large donations in land or stocks
for his official influence.
The official candidate is supported by n corps of
, pensioned presses, and q combination Of office
holders, aided by the most unheard OF expendi.
ture in the public money. The President him.
self, and the heads of departments openly set the
lexample Of lectioneering- putting up the Off.
Ices, the contracts, and patronage OF the govern
ment In exchange for party services. Does any
one doubt these facts! Does any one deny that
the expenses OF the government have increased,
are increasing, and ought to be diminished p
Does not every one see that the election of Mr..
IAN Buren, will perpetuate these abuses If
there be abuses, aud that there be abuses the
} facts proclaim trumpet, %tongued, how are they to
2 be reformed: Certainly not by elocting Martin
Van Buren,. He and his party who live upon
2 the spoils of Office, who have grown rich upon
J official abuses and official speculations, are not
the men TO correct these abuses. If they are
continued in office there will be no reform. Mr..
' N buren, Is pledged 10 administer the govern
= ment as il is now administered the people want
REFORM. and they can reach reform only
through new men. The present party come in.
I to power proclaiming the necessity of frequent
changes in office. The only means by which the
people can be satisfied, by which they can hold
their public servants to a proper accountability,
is, at proper intervals 10 bring in new men who
have no interest in ooncealing abuses.
The necessity of a bold, fearless, and indpen.
. dent press at this place, which, aided by an ac-
tive corresponding committee, shall, from time
to time, make known facts and concentrate the
; action and sentiment Of he people, is indispensi-
{ Bile to the success Of the peoples candidate. 1t
. is cause OF regretthat such a paper hal not been
established at an earlier day, but, although the
election is near at hand, much can be done A
little effort on the part OF the people, and espe-
lcially of the press friendly to our cause, is alone
required and the committees already organized
can give TO the Mirror a circulation that will ON
able 1t 10 do much service. We therefore call
upon the people every where TO arouse. The
IDlunderers can and must he defeated.