Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1840-07-02


pledges and opinions more freely than 4
have done since my nomination 10 the
Presidency. Many of the staiemea ts pub
iished upon this subjec:. are by no means
correct, but II IS true that II is my opinion
that no pledge should be made by an in
dividual when in nomination for any Of.
nee 10 the gi't Of the people. And why,
Once adopt Il, aud the battle will no longer
be TO the sircng-to the yirtUous-or 10
the sincere lover Of his country, but TO
him who Is prepared 20 tell the greatest
number Of lies. and 10 prefer the largest
number ofpledges which he never intends
10 carry out. Isuppose that the best guar
aniee which an American citizen could
have Of the correctness OF the conduct { {
an individual in the future. would be his
conduct IN the past, when he bad no
temptation before him, 10 practice deceit.
Now, iellow-ciIizens. have not alto.
gether grown grey under the helmet OF
my country, although have worn il for
some time. A large portion OF my life
has been passed in the civil departments OF
government. Examine my conduct there
and the most tenacious democra.-I use
The word IN its proper sense I mean not
10 conhne At 10 parties, for there are good
IN both may doubtless, discover faults
but he will find 40 single act calculated
10 derogaie from the rights OF The people.
However 10 prove the reverse OF this,
have been called Federalisi. Here was
loud cry OF 1.-The charge is a lie-a base
lie. You are no federalist"l Well
what Is iederalisE recollect what
the word formerly signifed, and there are
many others present who recollect it's for.
mer Specification also. They know that
The federal party were accused OF a design
TO strengthen the hands Of the general
government al the expense OF the sepa-
rate States. The accusation could not or
cannot apply TO me. was brought up
alter the Sirictest manner Of Virgiuian
anti-tederalism. ST. Paul himself was
not greater devolee 10 the doctrines of
the Pharisees than was |, by inclination
and ia;her's precepts and example, TO
antI-ledeTalIsm. ! was taught 10 believe
that, sooner or later. that isia! catastrophe
10 human liberty would take place-that
the general government would swallow
up all the State governments. and that
one department would swallow up al. the
other departments. do not know whether
my friend Mr.. Van Buren, AND he is and
hope ever will be my personal liiend) has
outlet that can swallow every thing; but
! do know. that if has measures are all
carried out. be will lay foundation for
others TO do so il he does not.
What rejecting man. fellow citizens,
cannot see this' The Representatives OF
the People were once the source OF pow.
er. Is it so nowi Nay. Its 10 the Ex-
ecutive mansion now tina, every eye is
iufned-that every wish Is directed. The
men OF Office and party. who are govern
ed BY the seven principles Of JoHN RAN
DoLPH, 10 viii the FIVE IOsyes and two
fishes, seem TO have their ears con.
stanily directed to the great bell at head
quarters, 10 indicate how the little ones
shall ring.
But 10 return. have but 10 remark
that my an,i.ledersIisn has been temper.
ed by my long service in the employ Of
my couniry-and my frequent oaths 10
support her general government but am
as ready TO resist the encroachmenis, as
an to support the legitimate authority Of
the Executive, or the general government.
Now, fellow citizens, ] have very little
peacefully II you can--and YOU can-to
effect that reform upon which your hearts
are fixed. What calamitous consequences
will ensue TO the worldif you fall II you
should fail, how the lyranls OF Europe will
rejoIce.-lf you fail. how will the friends
Of Freedom, scattered like the few planets
OF heaven. over the world, mourn. when
they see the beacon light Of liberty exiin.
| guished--lhe light whose rays We hoped
would yet penetrate the whole berighted
world.
II you triumph. il will only be done by
! vigilance and attention. Our personaI
| friends but political enemies, remind each
otherihat Eternal vigilance is The price OF
| Liberty" While journeying hitherward
J observed this motto wavirg al the head
OF procession composed Of the friends
! Of The present Administration From this
inferred. thai discrimination was necss-
sary 10 order 10 know who 10 watch
Under Jefferson. Madison and Monroe
( the eye OF the People was turned 10 the
right source--to the administration The
standardization, however nov say 20 the
Peop'e you must not watch Us. bat you
muft watch tho wings Only do That
and al Is safe % But that. my friends.
Isnoi The way. The old fashioned repub.
lican rule - 70 watch the government.
See that The government does not acquire
too much power. Keep a check upon
your rulers. DO this and liberty is safe
And u your efforts should rcsult success.
fully. aud should be placed in ihr
Presidential ehair. I shall invite q recuf.
renee 20 the Old republican rule. 10 vaich
Tie sdmiuisiraiion. and 70 condemn EN- Us
acts whlsh afs'Aot 10 accordance With the
siucicst code Of rspublicanism. Our
rulers, fellow citizens, must be watched.
I Power is insinualing. Few men are
satisfied wiit less power than they are
/ able 20 procure. II the ladies', whom J
see around me. acre near enough 70 hear
me, aad u suficient age 20 give me az
experimental answer. they would tel
I YOU that no lover Is ever sautded With
ihe 6fst snils o. hes misifess
III is necesaarv Therefore a. rgnfrh e,f