The Arkansas advocate., 1836-07-08

.sWc have said that the State of New York has entered its protest against con- gressional nominations. In so dolng It has acted wisely. The nomiaation of c candi- dale for fte presidency of ths United States bq a,, associations e members Qt congress, c9aueaed at the seat of gorerament, IS hostile 10 Me spirit of fke federal constitution, dan- gerous 10 ihe aights of Hse people and 10 the freedom of election. D :.
 -----"The measure, if 1t shall grow into usage, will also be dangerous to the rights of the people, and to the purity and freedom of elections. lift shall grow into usage;' aid has t ;io. already gresa into usagel Is 1t mol engrafting itself upon our constitution, and acquiring strength at- ter the manner of all other successful usur- pationsl Even now, acquiescenee in fhe reeular nomination at Washington, is by many considered as the touchstone of re- pu5licanism. The individuals or the states that dare to exercise the right of independ- ent choice, are denounced as schismatics and factionists; and ii already an innovation so recent, and so fragrant, be called the re- gulai' nomination, what will be its influence should time and repetition give 1t additional sanction! Let the encroachments of con stituted authorities upon every free govern ment that has been undermined, furnish the answer. Should the practice become in- veterate we do not hesitate to say, that to promuIgate nominations aeitt be to decree tte election. The congress will appoint the president, and the constitutional elect ors will be mere officers, to register its edicis.''
 "If the heads of departments, with their clerks, and the other persons holding offices of trust or profit under the United States, were to assemble in their indiUiduat capa- cities, at the capitol at Washington, and nominate presidential candidate, would you not be disgusted and shocked2 and yet do you believe that they are passive specta- tors of a regular caNeas nominaiion2 Mark the danger at least, that on some future oc- casions, men whose stations and standing, nay, whose very bread may depend upon the continuance Of the same administration, will cultivate the opportunities of private friendship, of official intercourse, of familiar hospitality, of public magnificence; will bi- as the understanding, engage the hearts, work upon the weakness, and perhaps tam- per with the purity of your representatives, collected as they will be in the very focus of executive influence; and having made them fitting instruments, will remain in the back ground. but in fact Promulgate the no- imitation of their own peculiar patron and protector. or perpetuate the succession, if not in the same family, at least in the same dynasty!"
 We have made these extracts for the pur- pose of showing you the principles in which Mir. Van Buren acquiesced, aud on which he acted, qcten he thought it for his interest 10 do SO. Had the sacred mantle of inspiration, accompanied with the gift of prophecy, fallen upon the signers of that address, they could not more clearly have f;oretold the existing state of things at this day. Their doctrines are those of the soundest patriotism, and ap- ply with double force to the system of eau cussing by office holders. Now 1t Is indeed the case that the measure has ''grown into usage-that acquiescence In the regular mo- ninatioa is considered the touchstone of re- publicansm'-an 1t is zealously antcipa- ted by the party, that "to promulgafe the ao- 1aiaation scds to decree the election" If Van Buren be elected, will not ssthe constitutions al electors be mere officers to register the edicts'' of the Convention! Upon the latter clause of the extracts we will make no com ment. 1t speaks for itself in voice of so- lemn, emphatic and melancholy warning.
 Consider then that with these opinions still ringing in his memory, Martin Van Bu- ren became in 1923, a member of the Con- gresslonal Caucus which nominated Wm. II. Crawford--and is now the "fegutarty nomi- nated' candidate of the Baltimore Conven- ton Comment upon such facts is needless.
 Look with us calmly now at the state of the country. On one side we behold the people, unorganised, undisciplined, indirect ed--great in their strength-great in their honesty and uprightness of purpose--strug- gling to maintain their liberties. On the other is man not distinguished by any pub lie act-not known on the pages of our coun try's history as statesman, an orator, or a patriot-a cunning, intriguing, maneuvring man--ssa political grimalkin," Jas was truly said of him by the same Clinton whom he once supported, and then abandoned and be- trayed,) "pttr'iag over petty schemes of in triguea--heading great army of office hold CTS, drilled into perfect obedience, and acting as with one purpose and one soul--alded by the public treasury-the patronage and infu- ence of q hundred banks--a majority in both Houses of Congress--the immense patronage of the Post Office Department-and corrupt and venal press. Immense appropriations are made to aid him in his schemes-and thousands of falsehoods are daily dissemina- ted to aid bis cause. Ifthese things are suf- fered to continue--if he be elected President, 1t will be proof positive that the men in pow CT and the office holders are able to elect