Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-10-27
II OLITICAL.
SECOND ADDRESS
OF THE WING CENTRAL COMMITTEE.
TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.

Feu0U-C QUEENS
Inpursuance fthe obligations which
rested upon us, as the organ of the Con.
ysntion that proposed Judge White and
Mr.. Tyler, we had the honor to address
YOU on the 23d of Aug't; and imperfect
as the task was performed, we would
deem our functions at IN end, if the
canvass presented no more thanthe usu-
al spectacle of an active and determin.
ed effort by n division of the people
TO obtain an electoral triumph over
another. If such were the character
of the impending contest, we would
console ourselves with the reflection,
that the loss of the election did not in
yolve the sacrifice of the cherished
principles Of the nation, and that, under
The adverse counsels which would at
tend the ascendancy of men, whom we
deemed both incapable and unfit, the
ancient spirit Of the republic would re-
yive. We would not permit ourselves
to apprehend, that the triumph ola por.
ton Of the people over a smaller divis-
ion of themselves, would be signalized
BY the selfish and licentious employ
ment of party advantages. 1t is not
that we distrust the motives and designs
ofthe great body of those, who dissent
from us nour opinions Of the candidates
that we regard the election as a crisis
in our national existence. For these,
as distinguished from the phalanx of
the government, which would forestall
and limit the public choice, we cherish
unfeigned respect andgood will; and tits
precisely because we conide in the dis.
position OF the whole people impartial
ly, to consider every question which
may affect their country, or their pos
.erity, that we again solicit their dis
passionate attention.
1t was the duty Of the President to
observe the most cautious neutrality in
respect to who should be his successor.
That was the course Of the illustrious
men who have preceded him. Mr..
Jefferson, to whon he has been COM
pared, but with what propriety let the
contrast in this instance, among many
others, answer, declared that he suffered
"no one to with him on the
subject" So far from avowing his
predictions to the public, he was care
ful to conceal his opinions ever from
the candidates /; and maintained undis-
,urbed his friendship for each. Yet Mr..
| loHarcnp uyo not n man IN hah0Id q
presidential election with Indifference,
or to suffer it to pass away without de-
cided opinions. No one knew better
to whom the important trust could be
confded with the greatest safety, for
he knew thoroughly and with accuracy
the qualifications of the candidates
and none could be more solicitous that a
wise and just selection should be made.
But, respecting the delicacy of his
position, the Difference he which owed
to the public, and sensible Of the great
mischiefs which would result from the
opposite example, he withheld his opin-
ions, and left his countrymen to decide
the election among themselves free from
the suspicion OF %oficia! interference.
How different, and unbecoming his sta
ton, is the course of General Jackson !
1t was to have been expected, that res
pect for the memory ofhis peedecessors
would have restrained a departure from
their example when there was no mo-
tive for it but the qualification of his
own private personal wishes and incll-
nation. If there be those who ques.
toned the force Of that consideration
upon one, whom nature and indulgence
lad made wiiful and inpatient, there
we're yet grounds for believing he would
avoid the mischievous error. In his
Inaugural address, it was remembered
he had solemnly pledged himself, in the
hearing of the whole nation, that the
patronage of the government should
not be brought in contact with the tree
dom elections, But neither the exam
pies set in much wisdom, by the foun-
ders of the republic, his own solemn
declarations to the contrary, mol the
evils of the step, have prevented his
mingling in the election with his char
acteristic freedom and boldness.
1t cannot be denied that the president
has openly and boldly attempted to
lead and control public opinion. AS
early as the spling of "a, he declared
himself in favor of national conven-
ton, and not satisfied with that, he had
the indelicacy to indicate the nominee
ofthe convention. Nor was this all.
In order to arrest the expression o.
popular feeling, which it was appre-
hended might forestall the proceedings
Of the convention, he demonstrated a.
gainst the nomination of Judge White
by the people of Tennessee ; and sucf
was the intemperance of his zeal tina
that those who opposed his will incurred
his displeasure. Trace him EDWARDS
and it will be- found, as the day o cleo
- s-~C.xanea y