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

in respect to Mr.. Van Buren,, so move
and startling, that the canvass involves
: the question whether in respect to the
elections, there is another party be.
sides the people. We shall appeal to
facts to show that deliberate and un.
disguised attempt has been made, and
IS yet IN progress, to control and di.
rect the popular vote, by means of no.
limitations, prescriptions, and rewards
on the part of the Government and
that the issue is distinctly presented,
whether the government may mingle
in elections, and employ its vast pow
sr and patronage in the elevation of a
favorite, and the overthrow Of an OBJ
noxious, because an Independent and
| popular citizen. Ii such be indeed the
character ofthe contest, and it shall so
| appear to you, we entertain no fears
as to what will be your course. A vir-
tuous and high.minded people will not
tolerate any interference, much less
dictation, in the exercise Of their suff..
rage; and the last quarter from which
they will consent to receive instruction
or direction, is their own government
or its functionaries.
The Van Buren, Corresponding Com.
mittee begin their address with refe-
renee to the evils of an election by the
lower house of Congress, and devote
a large portion of a most elaborate APP
peal to the discussion of that subject
The use which they make Of it is truly
extraordinary. With them, and accor-
ding to their argument, rather than
submit the election to the House, the
people should prefer Mr.. Van Buren,
to every other competitor. 1t seems
not to have occurred to the Commit
tee that the argument had precisely
as much force when directed against
their own favorite. An independent
voter appealed to on such grounds, to
surrender his well considered convic-
tons, would return the proposition on
its author, and put his sincerity to tri-
al by demanding to know if he would
abandon his choice to avoid the evils
he deprecated. The argument is not
original, but it is the first time it has
found it's way into paper addressed
by grave committee to the public, un.
der appearances of unusual delibera-
ton and solemnity. What should We
think of cause, which neither the in.
vention of its chosen advocates, nor
their untiring industry in collecting
and asserting materials, can rescue
from the opprobrium ofan obvious fall
lacy? What do you think Of an appeal
which seeks to drive you from your
own independent position, and commit
you to the support ofan unwelcome can
didate, upon pain of the evils ofan cleo
ton by Conrgess? 1t would seem that
the memory of the Committee, in this
particular, was as much at fault as
their logic, or that they gave you crc-
dit for neither recollection or discern
ment.
A few years ago, it was the lot OF
the gentlemen, (the greater part if not
the whole Of Them who compose it,
to advocate the claims Of a candidate
for the Presidency, who, though popu-
lar in this State, was in very small
minority in comparison with the ag-
gregate vote of the States. On that
occasion, even after it was ascertained
that his vote would be smaller than the
vote of either Mr.. Adams or General
Jackson, they continued to advocate
the election Of Mr.. Crawford down to
tho latest period of the canvass. What
voter did they counsel to abandon his
predictions, and sacrifice his convic-
| tons to attain the blessings ofunani-
nifty?
| Where, then, was this zeal for an E.
lection by the people, and terror oil
the House of representatives? AT that
time they acted upon the principle that
there was at least merit in adhering to
the objects of our own selection, and
that it would be folly to renounce the
chance of success in the House, by a
premature and ignoble surrender before
the battle was won and even now.
while they urge upon you the advanta-
ges of concord, and would brighten
you from your positions by pompous
description of their strength, they pre-
sent notable instance of diversity be-
tween their practice and precepts.-
The candidate of the party to which
which these gentlemen are attached,
for the Vice Presidency, is Richard M.
Johnson. As for Mr.. Smith, none ex
pect his election, and few if any, desire
it-and yet in a labored appeal, in
| which, with great apparent gravity
the people are admonshed to desert q
hopeless contest, that at the most car
only be attended by the consequence
oftransferring the election from them
selves, Mr.. Smith is commended to
their choice, with the absolute certain
ty that the vote of the State will be un.
, | aya;1;n, ;c;+ Lo con 60 rrad unnn him. XII.