Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1838-09-08
From the Columbus Enquirer.
THE PRESIDENCY.

from respected friends in Alabama, the
Editors Of this paper are called upon to
give the people information in reference
10 their course in the approaching Presi.
dental canvass. We are complained of
for not having taken stand in favor of
one or the other candidate, now promin-
emily before the people for that high office,
and urged to decided avowal of our opin-
ions in relation to their respective claims.
Perhaps il is due to these valued friends,
and equally so to ourselves to say, that
our silence thus far in relation to this con-
test has not resulted from an indisposition
on our part to hoist our colors, and we be-
lieve we may also say, it has not been from
a want of courage to meet those who would
attempt TO tear them from their place.
We have said nothing with reference to
the Presidential contest, because, in the
first place, we have had little or no choice
between the contending parties;-in the
second place, because we have not esteem
ed the contest as fairly begun, but have
hoped, and believed, that before this time,
the name Of some man moro worthy our
support than either Of the aspirants now
before us would have been suggested by
this paper-lo long since, but for the convic-
ton that our journal was comparatively
young, and that such suggestion from us,
would neither deserve nor receive the con-
slderation would be given to it, if made by
our brethren of the quill older in the
cause than ourselves, or by the people in
their primary assemblies.
We are called upon, however, to lay a.
side the feelings which have operated to
prevent an open, public exposition Of our
views in relation to this great ma tier, and
. with due respect to all whom it may con-
Germ, we have determined here to avow.
LIST. That under no circumstances shall
this paper advocate the election of MAR
TIN VAN buren, or HENRY CLAY. For we
believe them both hostile to the South, and
wanting in those elements of high charac-
ter which should distinguish the favorite,
of free, an independent, and virtuous
people. While we are constrained to adj
nit the almost Unreasonable disparity be-
tween the two men, for talents, virtue, and
principle; while we cannot but esteem Mr..
Clay man of mighty intellect, OF digni-
fled character, and commanding talents,
and Mr.. Van Buren, as the least of all pre-
tended great men--the mere reflected
ghost OF lstyranical predecessor,-ye we
can make no allowance for the corruption |
ofthe one, nor contemplate with pride the
talents Of the other, whilst both are alike
the enemies Of the South--the destroyers
OF our Institutions
2. That we do not see the least neces-
Slty in the present hour for choosing be-
tween these parties, and that so long as
there remains an alternative, we will not
do it. tits not the policy of this journal,
TO surrender our country into the hands OF
such men 80 long as there is single hope
of saving it from their grasp.
The President of the Republic, who fol-
lows in the footsteps of Andrew Jackson
must ruin il.
The permanent adoption of the great
American system, Of which Mr.. Clay is the
father, and the consistent advocate
ruin it.
Let him who can do it, consistently with
his own honor and safety, choose between
these modes Of overthrowing happy and
people;-as for our humble
journal, it shall GO down to the ground
"unscept, unhonired, and unSung," before it
shall share in either mode.
The South has men who can never be
implicated in either Of these infamous at
tempts to destroy the nation. She has
men whose talents, whose patriotism,
whose honesty, whose popularity-whose
chance for success will compare with Ell
Their of the candidates. We believe that
we venture not too much, when we say,
she has men that can succeed over them
both:-Where are Tyler, and Hayne, and
Leigh, and Tazewell, and Calhoun, and
Troup, and Hamilton, and Preston. Where
are these noblemen of the earth, that the
South should be called upon to cast the
votes of her unworthy sons on such men
as Henry Clay, or Andrew Jackson's shad-
ow. 1t is an insult to the South to ask her
to lend helping hand in such a scheme.
1t is unholy TO insinuate that she would |
drown herself in such infamy-she can
not, she will not do it.
Sd. Believing that it is time for the
South to unite on Ticket, that she may
be able properly to present the claims Of
her candidates before the States, we would
respectfully suggest the name OF
ROBERT Y. HAYNE,
of South Carolina, for the Presidency, and
JOHN TYLER,
Of Virninin for the Nirn pnnr;Lo..