Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-11-07

hes OF this Government are founded but its delec-
tive and imperfect construction, puts it 10 their
power to psrpetfate the worst Of ~mischiefs, should
they be bad men. If your American Chief be a
man Of ambition and abilities, how easy is il for
him 10 render himself absolute" These declara-
tons, that seem 10 have been uttered in the spirit
Of prophecy, have, in these latter days, been well
nigh fulfilled. IL is true that our President still
wears the gsrb ofa Republican Chief Magistrate.
He claims, indeed, to be a Democrat; the friend
OF the people, especially of the "iaboring people,
And so gently does he impose his chains, that the
people seem scarce conscious of their letters, I'M
fortunately for the cause Of virtue and freedom, the
advocates OF power have resorled, and we fear too
successfully. to those designing arts by which the
people have in every age been deluded and induced
TO regard their oppressors as their best friends
The history ot the world will attest, that those who
have been most studious to extend their power,
have been invariably the most cxtravagant in their
adulation of the people. The Roman Emperors at
tanned and pefpetuated their power, by liberal do
nations among their followers, and BY %arreying the
Plebians against the Patricians. and the People
sgains; the Senate. Napoleon Bonapa,tc has been
justly designated. by an elegant writer, as ihe
. Demagogue Of Military Francc;n and Robes.
pierre, the most blood-thirsty Of tyranis, had ever
ON his lips the interests and happiness of the PEG.
pie" the dear people" lei the REGULAR glory
of our county, that the people here are one and
homogeneous. We have no nobility and common
ers as 10 England, no patricians aud plebians as in
ancient Rome. In this happy land. ffeemen of
every condition enjoy equal civil AMI political rights;
and wealth and distinction lie open TO all who have
virtue and intelligence TO point them TO the why,
and industry to urge them 10 the goal. There can
be no stronger evidence Of the progress of corrup.
ton, and Of the rapid advances of II . Government
towards despotism, than the strenuous efforts that
are made to destroy this happy feeling Of identity
and equality among the people. Divide and con-
quer, is a motto that has never failed to lead to
victory. And il the INSCRIPTIONS supporters of
power, shall succeed in their unhallowed ATTEMPT
to divide society into classes, AVID TO array the poor
against the rich, the unholy and unnatural allinnee
between desPoiism and a fallen democracy will be
consummsted, and our glorious Republic, no longer
sustained by the virtue and intelligence ofa united
people, must share the melancholy fate that has,
sooner or later, overtaken every Free Government
that has preceded it.
The natural increase Of The patronage of the Pre-.
sident, with the extent Of our territory and popnla-
ton, may account, in psrt, for the augmen,atio ion of
Executive influence. But the true cause Of this
ominous revolution lies deeper, in the pei sonal
character OF the men who have administered the
Government, and the means TO which they have re-
sorted 10 ,erpetuate their power. The very fouh-
tains of public virtue have been corrupted. The
odious and liceniious doctrine has been unbiushine.
ly proclaimed. that offices are no longer givsr TO
the most worthy, but that to the viciors belong
the spoils.' Nor are they content with thus appeal.
ing 70 the soidid hopes of the mefcenary legion
that is fghiing for tho .poils OF victory At the ex.
pense of their country's interest. Tae unscrupu-
lous supporters OF this corrupt Administration, dis
regarding the wholesome doctrine that The " patro-
mage ofthr Government should not be Brought into
| conflict with the freedom Of elcctions,' have lately
avo@ed, 10 On elaborate report, that il is no, only
the right hpt the duty of the officers rf the Govern
mens To sustain the Executive. Thus have they
enlisted the active services OF the Federal Office
holders. = band more numerous than a stnndine AZ.
my, and thus employed, equally dangerous to Iiber.
ty. Interested, organized. numerous aud disciple.
ned, what but the united opposition of a virtuou.
people can resist their power2 Taught by expe-
rience that he Presidency is within their gift, how
long will IL be, ere Ginning 1t as their own, like the
Pratorian Guards at Rome, they sharneiessly offer
the empire at suctionf
The overshadowing Influence Of the Exeeutive
extends not only to the two Houses Of Congress,
but il has been exercised with such iusinualing art.
as 10 become almost irresistible IN the Sta,c be.
g~islatures, and the primary assemblies OF the peo-
Pile. Such is the diversity OF human opinions, that
there can be no subject OF general interest agitated
on which there will not necessarily be II division Of
parties M opinions in Congress on a favorite mea-
sure OF The Executive are nearly balanced, and a
few factious Representatives, or refractory Soma
tors are the only obstacles in his way, ready means
are itsrally found to silence their objections, or to
remove them from their seats. Whilst the thun.
ders Of the Government press are brought 10 bear
upon the timid, the Establishment Of the Court and
the powerful armory OF the Treasury are directed
IN all their force against those, who, too firm 20 be
driven, yet by kindness aud fattety may possibly
be led. A splendid mission has perhaps been de-
signedly left vacant a seat in the Supreme Court
is TO be filed vacancies in the Cabinet ne 10 be
created, TO supply which, men of experience and
capacity must be sought; whilst hundreds of minor
Offices, less distinguished, but perhaps more lhcra-
tive. avai, the acceptance of The complying friends
Of the Executive. Can any, who have studied hui
man hoture, he surprised, that these gliitering pri-
yes, nominally the reward Of merit, bur really the
wages Of corruption. addressed as they are to the
ruling passions OF mankind, aearice and ambition,
should be sufficient to overcome the easy virtue of
many of our public men? IL however, the two Hou
SEES OF Congress should have frmness and virtue
sufficient to resist both the terrors and blandi.h.
ments Of power, and the fayorite measure Of the
Executive is defeated, the President is beaten, not
conquered. He next rallies upon the State Legis-
istures. If the Senators have been refractory, he
appeals 10 the State Legislatures 10 instruct them,
and the whole atmory OF. the Treasury is again
brought in aid Of this appeal. If he fails here, be
next directs his influence against the people in their
primary assemblies. Counties are selected In which
the election Of members was closely contested the
=" sink or swim" organs Of the Executive in the
States are directed to get up Instructions, and by
dint Of persuasion, misrepresentation and fraud, a
majority OF the people are deceived into compliance
and induced to sign instructions TO heir Represent
atives. directly inconsistent with their well consid-
cred, expressed and recorded opinions at the polls.
The power of the Executive has thus become uni
versal, omnipoten;, irresistible. Sweeping before
il the Senate, the House Of representative, the
State Legislatures-all the barriers Of the Constitu-
tom, has seized upon the Right Of Instruction,
heretofore deemed the most cherished safeguard of
popular rights, and converted it into the most eff
Gent instrument for extending and perpetuating its
dominion.