Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-07-28


on its solution, the desiinies OF the repub.
lie, in great measure depend. Whisi
we are sensible Of the difficulties which
encompass the subject, we would venture
to suggest as the most effectual means oil
accomplishing our great object, a radical
| change IN the administration of the go.
vernment. This can only be effected by
means OF the presidential election for un
der the present state Of things, and the ex
aggerated and oyershadowIng Importance
which that officer has acquired ia the go
vernment, the whole complexion oil the
/ administration depends materially on the
| qualifications Of the president. He is not
| only regarded as the chief executive off
| Ger, and the dispenser Of patronage, but
by strange perverson OF the principles
Of our government, the president, and not
! the people, IS the source OF all executive
power; and upon this notion Of his prero
! gatives, he exercises unlimited sway over
all subordinate officers. This fact is OF
itself sufficient TO render him almost omni
potent, and all attempts TO reform The go
vernment, which do not begin at the loun
tain head, must necessarily prove nugatory
These considerations lead us naturally
to view OF the principles involved in the
approaching presidential election, and oil
the character ofthe prominent candidates
for that exalted station. The candidates
are three in number, viz: Martin Van Blu
rem Of n. York, Hugh l.. White Of Ten
nessee, and William IL Harrison OF Ohio
1t IS not our purpose TO 60 into any de
tailed view oil the relative merits Of these
individuals. nor eau we permit ourselves
for moment 10 descend into the arena OF
OF controversy for the purpose Of discuss
ing alleged personal dement's. We have
nothing TO do with them. except in their
relation TO the presidency of the United
States, and in that relation we shall endca
vor 10 discuss their pretenslons family, for
respect 10 ourselves no less than due
regard for the high station TO which they
aspire, would forbid that they should be
treated with Indlgnity.
The pretensions oil the first named can
dIda'e, Mr. Van Buren,, are in our opin
ION, obnoxious TO many lnsurmOuntable
objections. To say nothing of the very
rqnvocal attitude IN which be stands TO
The subject Of abolition, a subject Of the
deepest interest TO Virginia, aud fraught
with the most momentous consequences 10
the Union, we regard the simple fact that
he is nominated to tie succession by the
President as constituting in itself, most
serious objection TO his election
The principle Of hereditary succession
has been most carefully guarded against
by our constitution, its trainers doubtless
supposing that merit should constitute the
only claim 10 promotion, and that the PEG
pie were the best judges Of that merit.
and hence they have left the election of
public officers in the hands Of the people
But what would this principle avail, ii in
practice II Is TO be dIsregarded, and the
substantial power OF electlng his successor.
exercised by the president, whilst the mere
empty Formally Of ratlfying his nomina-
ton is reserved TO the people
In addition 10 these objections, we re-
gard Mr.. Van Buren, as identified with, if
not the author of most of the obnoxious
measures Of the present administration.
We regard him as the father of that obi
Gus system Of prescription, and rewards.
and punishments. and party vassaage,
which is known as the New York system
Of tactics. We have looked loo into his
political course for more than twenty
years, during which fine he has been a
prominent actor IN political scenes, and
we can recognize no enlarged and states
manlike system OF policy which owes its
origin to him, and we are at loss 10 as
certain even the cardinal principles by
which his political course has been govern
ed for we fad him alternately advocating
and opposing almost every prominent
measure of public policy, as in the fluctu
atoms OF public sentiment it was popular
or otherwise. That he possesses "a sutH.
Gent degree of talent and political infar
nation to administer the government with
ability we readily admit, but whilst we
accord TO him these qualities, we look in
VAN TO discover, IN the character of the
man who could declare 10 the world that
1t was glory enough for him TO have SER
we'd under such a chief" as General Jack
son, Tor that elevation of sentiment and
dignity tconduct which should character
lze President Of the United States!
From the election Of MIR '. Buren, there
fore, we could have nothing to hope. but
every thing TO fear. Even If he were dis
posed 10 reform the abuses of the govern
ment his party connexions and obligations
are such as destroy his ability TO accom-
pllsh 1t. But he has solemnly declared if
10 be his purpose in case he is elected, 10
continue the abuses which have been in
troduced by his agency, under the pre-
text oil carrying out the principles of the
present administration. 1t therefore be-
comes all who deprccatc the existing con
diilon OF public affairs as :" curse TO the
county" to unite in strong effort TO de-
ieat ms election. For ourselves, we so
lemnly declare our conviction that IN,
election of MIR. Van Buren, would nrove
in high degree dangerous, if not fatal 70
The Liberties OF onr country, by sanclionlng
the very abuses Of which we have COM
planned and we regard the approaching
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 OF
the United States have expressed their
liked determination TO resist to the utmost
oil Their power the attempt now being made
TO DerDetuate the prasart sys.o.,.