Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-05-02

pubiiCiy anu IactfOuSly anu blaspbemOuSIy
declared in the Capitol, that "a;lhough il
was ne pure as the Angels on the right hand
at God" ii should be put down, il was then
that became Party man in which position,
l trust have never lost sight Of the true
interests and honor, and republican, princi-
pies OF my country. l was told that the ex-
ecutive power had been unconstitutionally
enlarged, and that the preservation OF our
liberties required the reforming hand of a
more republican administration. | did not
believe i'll did not believe in the corrup-
tion and had but little confidence in those
Who imputed it. | speak 81 the leaders of
the Party. | have had no cause to regret
the course then adopled.-The promised
reiorm.if required never came. On the cons
trary, ! have seen many plausible professions
shamelully repudiated in practice, and now
1 see in Mr.. Van Buren's admin istration
who processes 10 carry out the principles of
his predecessor and his party, much that de-
serves to be condemned, in my opinion, by
every Republican-by every friend of A mer,
lean liberty. Instead OF reform, there is
strong evidence before the country OF increas.
ed and increasing corruption.
am opposed 10 the great Party and finan-
Cial measure of the Sub-treasury-I believe
that il threatens to overthrow, at a stroke,
that great credit system in our country
which is the distinguishing feature of that
high degree of civilization and prosperity TO
which we have a,lvanceG-a system, with.
out which our beloved country would have
yet remained comparatively ii Wilderness
without which we should yet have beeo in
volscd in all The pecuniary embarrassment
Of the war OF the Revolution without
which We should yet have been literally
"hewers ofwood" for the people of England
without which we should have had neither
commerce nor manufactures, and our ayri.
culture would have been at The loves, state
OF depression. The Sub treasury scheme |
believe TO be hostile to The highest interests
OF our country, aud thoroughly incompati-
BILE with our national churacler-i believe
that ii " i'll effect dangerous modification OF
our Government, by unduly eniarging the
executive pOwer-l believe that il is an IN
safe, expensive and clumsy mode OF collect
ing and distributing the public revenue and
that II will cherish corruplion, and democrat
ize our People, believe that il is the le-
gilimate and practical development: of that
cdious and anti Republican principle which
was promulgated on The remova! Of the De-
posites, "that the exclusive custody and con-
troll of the Public funds belonged of RICH, TO
the Executive department, and not 10 the i'm
mediate Representatives of the People,
These hasiy remarks will enable you |
hope, TO form correct opin; ION Of my senti,
mcnis on Federal politics.
As to my opinions respecting our own
Stale policy specially in reference 10 In
ternal Improvements, in " hich you are so
much interested, might refer you again to
my course in the Legislature Of Virginia.
believe you will find me voting uniformly
with your own Delegates on lha, interesting
subject. The people of Augusta and Rock.
bridge are found here as, in truth, on most
other questions OF public policy, controlled
10y Identical! interests, and entertaining SINH.
lar views. There were never TOO people |
believe more thoroughly assimila,ed in local
pccuIiariiies and moral habils-and there.
fore ii is that they have been uniformly of
one mind in The Legislation Of the Stale. II
IS Too late indeed, for any man 10 question
the importance OF internal improvements,
an. especially such as will make our State
one OF the great commercial thorouyhfares
between the Atlantic and the valley of the
Mississippi. And it Is impossible 10 calcu-
late 10 the full extent, the advantages, pecu-
! mary and moral, which " ouid accrue 10 us
from the completion of the James River and
kanawha Improvement. Commerce has
been aptly compared in lis effects 10 a fer
tilizing shower, and coming from the
rich and eXhuberant west, through the heart
OF our Stale, we can hardly imagine The Wigs
or II would impart 10 our slumbering indus.
try-we Can hardly CONCEIVE The wealth, the
abundance and the happiness, it would pour
over our beloved Stale. have always looks
ed TO that Improvement as intimately asso,
cia,ed with the highest desiinies of the Com
onweelih-promising a degree of wealth
and power and happiness which can never
lie obtained without it,. Our interests and
our honor are deeply concerned in its CONS
pletion.
Ii is my purpose 10 be al the mex. Rock,
bridge Court, when shall have anopportu,
nIy OF seeing some OF you Fellow Citizens,
and when shall be happy to make any fur>
ther explanations of my opinions that MAJ
be desired.
Respectfully, your ob't serv't.
ROBERT S. BROOKE.