Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-02-23

Cacy.- we have every thing Ia loSe-noth.
| ing to gain. degree of prosperity beyond
| that which, as a nation, We are now enjoy
ing, is but The dream oi fancy. Il has tie, or
| been, and believe never will he, realized.
Truly our country presents nothing like the
splendor and pomp OF Rome, in the days al
her prosperity and Notwithstanding like
the splendor and pomp of many Of the irans>
atlantic countries of the present day; hut le,
il not he forgotten, fellow citizens, that these
are but deceilful indications of The happiness
! u! the people. They are ,ofiencr the evidence
oi expressions, ro3beries, and spo;iaiions
! committed by a privileged few upon the
| many. Tojudge correctly Of The happiness
oil nation, you must not elevate your vision
Ia tie gorgeous domes of the great--tos spires
or ohelisks. You must, in the spirit OF a
Howard, penetrate the thick ranks Of the
many-,he farm house and the cottages !;
and IL there you find misery springing,
not from natural, hut political, causes, you
may decide that the Government IS wrong,
and a corrective is needed. But il among
these You find nothing TO complain Of hut
impoverished fields, and the effects oI want
OF industry and enterprise, the fault is not
with the Government, il is with the people
themselves, and they should not look to POI
iitical reform as corrective, hut 10 change
Of their pursuits and habits. Government
cannot, without the grossest injustice, make
UP 10 the farmer, the mechanic, merchant,
or other, the Deficiencies vi his profits. To
acquire the means Of doing so, il would be
necessary TO rob olber classes and who n
mong you would quietly submit 10 have the
eatningso of his industry wrestcd from him,
and given 10 another. have made these
latter remarks, TO slow that we ought moi =,
In1l Iuiin nat ai ~ TN, all
ces 10 the supposed faults of The Government -,
aud make them greater, by mislaking their
source. hold il 10 he The true and legiti>
mate Object of Government TO protect the
citizen IN every station of life, and leave him
free 10 employ his powers Of mind and body +,
not impinging against the ri htS of others,
in his own way, Tor his own happiness and
prosperity. Ii is political quaCkery to al
tempt Ia regulate the interests OF the commu-
nifty ny my other general rule.
regard the election OF Mr.. Van Buren, to
the Presidency as an auspiCious result TO our
Federal Union. I beIive il will have the
effect, more than any other Cause, to put
down the unha!low Ell attempts of the blind
hIgots Of the north 10 dissolve the cement
which holds together this glorious fabric, by
their impairment intermedtiing With slave
ry. Notwithstanding the mast Jealous et>
| iorts were made, during the late canvass !oT
| the Presidency, to make the impression up
| on the people of the south nat MIR. Van Blu
rem was an abolitionist, and therefore entire
~ unsulted 10 the interests of that section of
the country, il is well established fac, that
his friends go almost in body agans; these
visionary schemes, whilst his opponents 60,
with even greater unanimity, in favor of
| them.-l speak of his opponents in the north.
Compare the late message Of Governor Rit-
ner. o! Pennsylvania, 10 the Legislature OF
that Stale, with that of Governor Marcy, e
New York and how striking is the contrast!
Governor Ritner presses the eXpedency q
tue abolition cause, Governor Marcy oppOs-
! es The interference OF The MISUNDERSTANDING
: States with the subject, as one which cXciu
siseiy belongs To the people within whose
borders slavery exists. Governor Rincr i.
the opponent, Governor Marcy the friend &
supporter Of Mr.. Van Buren,. III have not
greatly mistaken the signs OF The times, the
misguided phlanlbropst is not the only
character concerned in this matter. Amhi-
. .ion that unholy passion Of mans nature
that is dead 10 the sufferings Of others, and IL
every consideration saveils own qualification,
( ambition that Pounds its hopes of success
/ upon the storm that wrecks the happiness oil
! the people, | fear, is the promp,er behind
{ VIZ SNSHS' SPDJ tuS iUteltISeDCS
and patriotism Of the people we must rest our
hopes OF security against such machinatiOn
! Should The people accord to Mr.. Van Blu
rem, while their president, II generous sup
port, the responsibilities Of his adminis.ra.
! ton will be on himself; but n refusal Of the
| people 10 sustain him in his patriotic exer-
lions for the public good, can have no other
effect than 10 phralyZe his administration
and produce results for which they, not he
must be answerable for, much as has been
SAID OF The dangerous power Of The President
he is impoeLt without the mid Of the people
rendered through their representatives. in
Congress. He cannot even draw the sslary
allowed him by law, but by The permission
I OF Congress. How important then is il &c
the interests Of us all that Congress should he
constituted Of members, alike ready 10 sus-
! tain the administration in its constitutions al
and wholesome operations, and 10 oppose lis
abuses, if any should be attempted ? So far
rs Intention is concerned, am prepared &c
| the fullest eXtentto act this part or my
capacity 10 come up 10 my intentions, ! an
not egotistic enough 10 decide leave tha,
for others. Should il be your pleasure 10 e.
! !ecl me again, will enter upon the duties d
! the trust with favorable anticipa,;ol.s Of hi,
administration, and will, if not disappointed
give il cordial support. But If, conirar,
10 our jus, expectations, il shall assume 6
character incompatible with the welfare o
! the country, none will be reader, though i
will be done in sorrow, than will be TO OPP
pose it. Cberishing no wish for honors be
yond those which your generosity has alrea
day accorded TO me, and which hope vii
he continued for another term, can have M
motive that stands in hostility 10 the grea
| interests Of The nenple al iarpe NV inter.