South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1836-07-30

tAOiucutouo Consequences W tfc " HUI
we regard the simple fact that be i
nominated to the succession, by tn,
president, as constituting ia itself,
most serious objection 10 his election
The principle Of hereditary success
sion has been most carefully guardet
against by our constitution, its framer
doubtless surprising that merit should
constitute the only claim to promotion
and that the people were the bes, judg
es of that merit, and hence they hav,
left the election Of public officers in tn,
hands Of the people. But what would
this principle avail if in practice it is t,
be disregarded, and the substantial
power of electing his successor, exer
cised by the president, whilst the mer.
empty formali.y of ratifying his nomi.
nation is reserved to the people |
In addition TO these objections, We
regard Mr.. Van Buren, as identified
with, if not the author Of most of the
obnoxious measures ofthe present ad-
ministration. We regard him as the
father Of that odi6us system of pro-
scription, aud rewards & punishments,
and party vassalage, which is known
as the system OF New York tactics.
We have looked too into his political
! course for more than twenty years,
during which time he has been prom
inent actor in political scenes, and We
can recognise no enlarged and states
man like system Of policy which owes
its origin to him, and we are at loss
to ascertain even the cardinal princi-
Piles by which his political course has
been governed ; for we fad him alter.
nately advocating and opposing almost
every prominent measure of public
policy, as in the fluctuations Of public
sentiment it was popular or other wise.
That he possesses sufficient degree
Of talent and political information to
administer the government with ability
we readily admit. but whilst we accord
to him these qualities, we look in vain
TO discover, in the character of the
man, who could declare to the world
that it vas "glory enough for him to
General Jackson, for that elevation Of
sentiment, and dignity Of conduct which
should characterize President OF the
United States
From the election Of Mr.. Van Bu-
ron therefore. we could have nothing
10 hope, but every thing to fear. Even
if he were disposed TO reform the aou-
ses Of the Government his party con.
nexions, and obligations, are such as
destroy his ability to accomplish ii.
But he has soIemnly declared it TO be
his purpose, in case he is elected, to
continue the abuses which have been
introduced by hia agency, under the
pretex. Of carrying out the principles
Of the present administration. Il there
fore becomes all who deprecate the
existing condition of public affairs as
"a curse to the country" to unite in o
strong effort TO defeat his election. For
ourselves, we solemnly declare our
conviction that the election OF MIR.
Van Buren, would prove 10 high de-
gree dangerous, If not fatal TO the lib
critics of our country, by sanctioning
the very abuses OF which we have COM
planned and we regard the approach
ing election as presenting distinctly,
for the decision OF the people, the issue
whether they shall be continued or not
A very large portion Of the people o
the u. States have expressed their fix
ed determination to resist To the utmos
of their power the attempt now being
made to perpetua,e the present system
Of extravaganza, profligacy and cor
| ruplion. Already they have arranged
themselves under the banners Of differ
ent leaders, and with confidence be-
coming the sacsed cause in which they
are engaged, are awaiting the contest
10 the South, the friends Of liberty anc
the constitution have selected as theil
leader, the Hon. Hugh l.. White o.
Tennessee, man whose inilexible
firmness, unsullied integrity & Roman
simplicity OF character appear to them
to furnish the strongest guaranty OF his
efficiency in promoting the great civil
revolution which we contemplate. In
the North and West, the advocates OF
reform have selected as the champion
Of their principles, Gen. William IL.
Harrison Of Ohio--a man whose mann
is associated with the proudest recol-
lections of the American patriot, and
whose firm support OF the principles OF
the South, distinguished ability, spot-
less purity Of character, and illustflous
public services, civil and military, ioi
more than forty years, would seem to
| indicate him as the man best calcula