Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-10-15

the 5M Ocfo6er, 1910, To- tie PeopLe of
Virginia.
The Wings of Virginia, now assemble in
Convention at Richmond, conscious them
selves of no motive but love Of country, and
of no object but the public good, believe, most
sincerely, that the great body Of their polit-
cal opponents, In the contest which now agi-
, tates the Union, are actuated by the same
motive, and aim at the same end that, what
ever sinister or selfish views may be Justly
imputable to few factious leaders and inter
ested politicians. vast majority of the PEG
pie, of all parties, have equally at heart the
Union and the Constitution Of the United
States, the sovereignty and just rights of the
several States, and the principles Of Civil Lii
berty and Republican Government that the
People of all parties honestly design, by the
measures they advocate, and by their votes,
TO preserve and to perpetuate our institutions
in purity and vigor to themselves and their
prosperity, and to promote the happiness of
our common country. Embracing the op-
posterity which SO general an assembly as
the present affords, to set forth some Of the
leading motives of our opposition to the cleo
ton OF MIR. Van Buren, to the Presidency for
second term, and of our preference for Gen.
Harrison, and a few of the prominent reas-
'ons which, In our opinion, should dictate to
every lover ofhis country and its institutions.
W III IL
change Ill the administration of the Federal
Government. we address ourselves To cur fell
low-cltZens without distinction OF parties
IL is Impossible TO state our objections to
\ President Van Buren's Administration with
sout adverting to that OF his immediate prede-
cessor, whose principles of government and
policy he has proclaimed his entire approba-
ton OF, and declared his design to work out
and consummate. Yet we shall advert to
. nd for
not for the vain purpose Of unavailing COM
plant or censure, but only to exhibit more
clearly the history and nature of existing e.
Wis, which II Is III the power of the people,
by a change of the administration, to correct.
One of the strongest objections to the Con-
sti,ution of the United States, at the time of
ats adoption, was grounded On the frame of
the Executive; the vast and preponderating
power which it vested in that Department
and the facility with which that power was
capable of being abused to the acquisition of
more and overwhelming and absorbing influ-
ence In the system. Hence, from the first,
and until within few years past, jealousy of
the executive, vigilant to detect and prompt
TO counteract encroachment, was the prevail
ing sentiment of the nation, and especially of
Virginia. 1t manifested itself constantly e.
ven during the Administration of Washing
ton, though the known Justice and modera-
suspicion of wilfully extending his official
power beyond its due bounds. 1t was kind
led into flame during the Administration Of
the elder Adams-it was allayed indeed, vet
continued always alive, throughout the hd-
manifestations of Jefferson, Madison and Mon
roe-it was again excited to intensity against
the younger Adams, with what justice it is
not our purpose to discuss,) and mainly con-
tTibuted to his fall from power. Suddenly,
md Urt. nm fitar
seemed to provoke and defy it, this whole
some jealousy was extinguished in the
breasts of many Republicans by whom ithad
been before most Observation-Disclosures
sincere Republicans. in heart and principle,
we believe they were-and so believing, we
cannot doubt that their former sentiments
have already resumed, or must sooner or Id
ter resume, their just influence in their minds
and over their conduct.
Among the grievances of which we COM
plain, the chief, and in our apprehension most
alarming, is the stupendous increase, far be-
You'd what the just balance of the constitu-
ton can bear, and beyond what our fathers
ever feared, of the power and influence of the
executive department in all the practical op-
eratlons OF the Government, and the abuse of
the power and patronage, which the consttu-
tton and laws have really vested in the Pres
.dent. This increase, and this abuse, of the
Executive influence and power, we know,
denied; but the acknowledge of them
would prevent the contamination; nor is il
material, with view to the consequences.
whether the mischief is intended or not, if it
really exist. 1t is our solemn and coDscien
nous conviction, that unless the present ten
aency TO the concentration of all power i'm
the executive, shall be timely corrected, UNI
less 1t be noao corrected, the government must
soon degenerate into simple elective mon
archy.
for the fact of tho increase of the Execu-
i've influence and power in the practice of
The government, we need only advert to the
use which has been made Of the qualified ne
gatiVe upon the acts of Congress, given by
me constitution to the President. 1t was de.
signed according to the opinion of Mr.. lief.
ierson, Ill his advice TO President WASHING
ton on the occasion of the first charter of the
Bank OF the United Statcs,) as a shield to
protect the other departments of the federal
government, and the rights of the States and
State governments, against invasions of the
federal Legislature; as check upon hasty,
ambitious corrupt, and 'cleariy" unconstitr-
tonal Legislation. Washington interposed
his negative only on one occasion that we
remember; namely, on the first act for ap-
Forthcoming representatives in Congress.
whereby the population of the States was a.
malgamated into one mass Madison eyer-
cised the Executive veto but twice, in cases
which, involving no material consequence.
need not be partcularized. The use. or "a.
taeT The abuse, OF which this power was capa-
Die, was never understood, until President
JACKSON exeTted 1t Is SO frequently, on such
uiVers occasions, and in such variety OF
To =.