Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1840-07-30
MR. PnESroN,s LETTER

MIR. f0ESION'S LETTER
The following eloquent and Impressive letter
from Mr. PsEsroS TO the Wings OF Msndon.
Massachusetts, viii be read with interest bY his
many "bro'hers OF The great Wing family
IL defines the " position" or ,he parties that now
divide the country. with great felicity and pre-
eisien;
WAsHINcToS CRY, June Is. lS40.
Dear Sir-With an high estimate Of
the compliment implied in your note 10
me. ] beg you IN my behalf. 10 assure the
Wing Republican, Association Of Mendon.
vi my earnest wishes for the successful
aitlinmen, Of their purposes. The eondi-
ton OF public affairs iDperiously demands.
from every patriot. his uiuost excriions
10 effect change OF men aud measures.
Things have come TO that pass, when
/, would seem superiluous to speculate
upon the political principles Of The party
IN power, or To argue concerning them
whether they be right or wrong-orc
thing - certain. the country has been
ruined under as administration. TIC the
question how has the counlfy been go.
verned. let the condition OF the country
answer Has ITS commerce been extend
ed' Have ITS manufactures been incress-
cd Is ITS agriculture prosperous--i,s
/ currency soundf Is its credit hImi GTea a,
and disastrous changes have occurred IN
regard TO these important Interests. dur
/ ing the domination Of our present rulers /:
and, although they may vsinly endeavor
to exoneTaie themselves from the charge
| OF having produced them--they canno,
deny they have failed 10 avert them
Bot there are other questions Of a
searching nature, which when pu, 10
them, they stand mute. We have asked
hem whether they have not so managed
/ the-iinanoes tha, the income Il :he Go
sernment Is diminished by iwo.ihirds.
| and the expenditures increased three fold;
Whether they have no, so managed our
/ Indian affairs as 10 embroil Us IN war, and
! whether they have not so conducted that
war as TO occasion The expenditure Of 80
/ millions OF do!lafs-as 10 expose our oiti
zens TO continued bu,ohery and massacre,
and as 10 have portion Of our territory
conquered and retained by savages? Yet
notwithstanding the general deso.a,ion Of
the couatry, and the failure Of every de-.
pariment of the Government, they have
the hardihood 10 claim our confidence.
How such an administration came in D.,
aud the means by which IL proposes 90
retain power are worthy of inquiry. The
President, without reputation for ability,
or any proteuce Of public services. was
appointed by his predecessor. He did
] not enjoy vIcsrious popularity, hut was
! put into Office by the mere power of Gen.
Jackson. IL was in this way that he came
10, and the means employed to re-elect
hirn are not less dangerous in our free in .
situations.
He is supported by party organization
and an army Of office holders-the Co
vernment has taken the field against the
people, and this is the contest in which
we are now engaged. The mercenariss
oil The President are stationed throughout
The whole country, 10 ravage and subiu
| gate it-an organized and disciplined
corps, ever vigilant. ever active and ever
obedient 20 the command of its officers.
1t is because, WE THE PEOPLE
are thus engaged in such a contest against
the Government power, that we are Whigs
wings IN the true and full meaning Of
The ierm-Whigs as our ancestors were
when they struck for liberty at your Bun.
ker Hill and our Kings Mountain.
When the daring usurpa,ions of the
Executive were exhibited, by his seiziue.
without authority. upon the pablo mo-
ney, and holding it without the sanction
OF Law, the Wing party was formed and
us name assumed. II rested upon the
broad sentiment which breaihes through
all our history and Pervades all our insti.
tuiIons-of love Of law and hostility 10
| Prerogs,ive. BY this sentiment and all
The sympathies and associations which be.
long to IT, the Wings are bound together.
and wherever one is found within the
vide border Of our country, hail him as
a brother
II success awaits its efforts as believe
1t does, 1t will come into power upon the
pledge Of circumscribing Executive influ.
ence, Of reins,atIng the Constitution and
with healing and conservative spirit. 10
preserve aud cherish all the institutions
and great interests Of the country.
am, dear Sir, with great respect
Your obedient servant.
WA. c. PRESTON.
joins 6. MErcALT. Mendnn.
STS7S