Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-11-07

dent is beaten but not conquered. He newt
rallies upon the State Legislatures. If the
Senators have been refractory, he appeals to |
the State Legislatures to instruct them. and
the whole armoury of the Treasury is again
brought in aid of this appeal. ii he fails |
here, he next directs his influence against the
people III their primary assemblies. Coun-
ties are selected in which the election of MEM
bers was closely contested the sssink or
SWIM organs of the Executive in the States
are directed to get up instructions, and by
aint OF persuasion, misrepresentation and
fraud, majority OF the people are deceived
into compliance, and induced to sign instruc-
lions to their Representatives,, directly ncon-
slstent with their well considered. expressed.
and recorded opinions at the polls. The pow
or OF the Executive has thus become uniyer
sal, omnipotent, irresistible, sweeping before
1t the Senate, the House of Representatives,
the State Legis.atures-all the barriers of the
constitution-ith has seized upon the right of
instruction, heretofore deemed the most cher
lshed Safeguard of popular rights, and con-
Vefled IL into the most efficient instrument for
extending and perpetuating its dominion.
The conduct of the Executive in regard to
the Sub-Treasury Bill, is a striking illustra-
tlon OF the foregoing views. No measure ev-
represented to the consideration Of the Amer
lcan people, has been more generally con-
ueinned. III has been denounced over and
over again by the considerable of all parties,
not only as Il ruinous and visionary project,
destructive of the commercial prosperity OF
the country, but as increasing the ''patronage
oil the President, already too great for Re
public" and comforting upon him powers dam
gerous to liberty and subversive of the princi-
pies OF tree Government. 1t has been repeat
eddy considered and repeatedly rejected by
| CONGRESS-. md h1,tb
Yet Notwithstanding these solemn, deliberate
and unequlvocal indications ofthe public will,
Mr.. Van Buren, still persists, with an obsti-
| macy that has no parallel, except in the con-
duct of that infatuated Monarch, George the
Ihlrd, In urging this odious scheme upon a
reluctant people, hoping by his perseverance,
Ito fatigue them into compliance with his
measures" Already the thundcrs Of EXecu-
tive displeasure have burst upon honorable
and independent members of the Senate and
house Representatives and of the State &C.
! glslatures, who have dared to oppose this IA
vorlte measure Of the President; and persons
holding subordinate stations in the Govern
mcnt, supposed to be disinclined to its sup
port, have been denied the freedom of opin-
ION, and arbitrarily removed from their Offices
Some, In a craven spirit, have already Welded
to his influence, and avowed the slavish deter
mInatIon ''to sink or swim with the Presi-
nt'-whilst others, animated by noble
patriotism. have resolved to peril all in the
fearful contest between the People and Pre-
rogative. The result will decide the impor-
tant question whether the people and their re-
representatives., or the arbitrary will ofone man,
shall rule supreme in the government of this
great nation.
| But 1t is In our elections, State and FEEDER
al, that the influence of the Executive has been
mcst shameessly exercised, and is most ex-
tenslvely felt.-Sfdte Rights have, for years,
existed merely-in name but under the over
shadowing influence of the Federal Execu-
tive, State Individuality has been almost an
initiated. Elections for members of the Lee
glslatures of Ohio or Virginia, Maine or Geor-
gla, are conducted upon precisely the same
principles. The peculiar qualifications of the
candidates to advance the local interests OF
their constituents, are not for a moment con-
sidered. The election, on one side, is made
to turn entirely on the devotion of the candi-
dates to the powers at Washington-and the
People, III self-defence, are compelled to make
+, opposition to the Executive the test on their
part. Thus, in effect, the State Legislatures
have become mere appendages to the Federal
Government, and ceased, in great degree, to
fulfil their original design of local representa-
tlves of State sovereignty. Nor is this all.
The finger of the President, if not seen, is
felt, In the election of every member of Con-
gress throughout the Union. The candidates
OF the party are not only supported by the
whole influence of the Government, but are.
In many cases, nominated by the organs at
Washington, with the distinct understanding
that the Executive will repair the losses of
the campaign-and, ifdefeated by the people,
Will provide for the disappointed aspirants of
fees more lucrative, if not more honorable.
And In the election of the President himself,
this sinister influence is still more controlling.
SO that 1t may almost be said with truth, that
! the time has arrived when the President by
means OF patronage, intrigue and corruption,
can not only secure his own reelection at
pleasure, but dictate to a reluctant people the
appointment of his successor.
These significant indications of the procliv-
lty OF our institutions to despotism under our
present rulers, if no other causes of opposition
could be found in the disastrous measures of
this faithless and incompetent Administra-
ton, are sufficient to rally every patriot 10 the
rescue. But other causes of opposition, uu-
| fortunately for the interests of the country.
are but too abundant. We have neither time
nor patience, nor would it be compatible with
the nature of this address, to enter into the
loathSOme detail. That will be reserved for
future publications, in which facts, authenti-
| Gated by documents and evidence, will be
plainly presented before the people. 1t is
sufficient for the present to advert to the con-
dItlon ofthe Treasury, of the currency and do
nestle exchanges, of private and public cred
it, TO demonstrate the disastrous consequences
Of the reckless course of this Administration.
II was the boast of Gen. Jackson, that durinp
his Administratior,-he had entirely discharcr
ed the debt contracted during the last war in
defence of orr national charactnr. go. =; .io