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

The period is rapidly approaching when
you will be called upon again to exercise one
OF the highest attributes of afree and sovereign
people. The election of a Chief Magistrate
to preside for the term of four years over the
extensive and Diversified interests of this great
confederacy, is event that ought at all
times to excite a deep interest, among peo-
pie properly approaching their free institu-
lions, and determined to maintain them in
their purity. But in the present condition of
our country, and of public affairs, it is calcu-
lated inspire in the breast of every rejecting
patriot, more than ordinary solicitude. Our
Republic is no longer in its infancy. The
rapid increase of population and wealth over
our boundless, diversified and fertile terrific
Ty-thc vast augmentation of the power and
patronage of the Federal Covernment-the
melancholy truth which history teaches and
our own experience verifes, that nations grow
In corruption as they increase in wealth and
power-all admonish us, that five would a.
void the fate of former republics, and transmit
our tree institutions, pure and interrupted, to
our posterity, we must guard them with sleep
less vigilance. The calm and dispassionate
exercise OF the inestImabe RIGHT of suffrage,
by a virtuous and intelligent people, is the
best, indeed, the only effcctual safeguard of
republican institutions. No republic has ev-
or fallen by violence, until its foundations
have been Slapped by corruption. Deeply i'm
pressed with these truths, and with the i'm
portance of the crisis, we beg leave respectful
ly, but earnestly, to invite your attention to
some of the numerous considerations that
should influence your votes at the approach
ing presidential election.
In executing the duty assigned us, we shall
endeavour to be governed by a spirit of cam
dour and moderation. We are conscious of
no motive but an ardent desire to promote the
public good. We shall address you as bo-
dy OF enlightened freemen, capable of under
standing your true interests, and of maintain
ing your sacred and inaienable rights. We
shall appeal toyour reason, scornino an adj
dress to your prejudice as equally unbccomino
in us, and insulting to you. Animated by
such motives, and governed by such princi
pies, we think we have right to claim for the
deeply interesting views that we design to
present, the candid and dispassionate atten-
ton OF the impartial, considerate and patriot
&c of all parties.
The rejecting mind, in surveying the rise,
progress, and present state of the Federal
government, is at once arrested by the rapid
ana enormous increase ofexccutive power and
patronage. 80 remarkable has been this
change, that the Government seems 10 have
undergone revolution, whilst the written
constitution has remained unaltered. Accor
ding to the theory ofthe Federal Constitution.
as expoundedby its original advocates, it was
that the President would be re-
publican chief magistrate, with little or no
more power than the governor ola state. How
entirely has this theory been falsified by ex-
Derience, The President, following the ex-
ample Of the British Crown, ''has found the
means of substituting influence for authority. |
'r the art OF gaining majority in one or the :