Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-06-02
mo 49, coNsTITuENrs.

turn IrOE1 W dSuiliBlOhf " NIX 81 liSSlI |
with you, that have not found it neccssa.
nv to address you in the form of a circu-
lar; circumstances have changed, and
now find myself holding opinions opposed
to those Of the undivided newspaper press
Of the State. Ii Is due to myself and TO
YOU that | should not conceal these opin-
ions from you, nor withhold the reasons
which have led to them. ] have not made
Up my mind hastily, as TO the course " hich
il was proper for those occupying the pc
culiar position which do, 10 take in the
coming Presidential election. | have done
so with the utmost delberation, and after
the fullest inquiry. Not that | have ever
once thought Of supporting Mr.. Van Bu-
rem: you sent me here opposed to him;
oil that have since seen Of the principles
and character Of his Administration has
only tended to confirm aud add energy to
that opposition. But had doubts whelh-
er there were not grounds of opposition
10 the other candidate, though not equally
strong, yet strong enough to forbid my
supporting him. There are differences Of
opinions on Important subjects between
(icn. Harrison and myself, but there is no
prospect for the present, and see but little
for the future, Of the elevation 10 the Pres
idency Of any one holding my peculiar
principles. have, therefore, to choose
between the two, and having decided
preference, | cannot consent TO withhold
the expression Of that preference | do
not intend 10 90 into the canvass; but be.
tween that and voting at the election there
is a wide difference. ] do not intend to
be forced into any position which will in
any way interfere with my placing myself
in opposition, if Gen. Harrison shall be
electe4, to any measures which he may
propose, or generally to his Administra-
lion, if duty shall demand it Of me. Not
10 vote is mere child's play, and unbe-
coming the State. If il had pleased the
leaders Of the old notification party to
have abstaned from any participation
whatever in the contest, l should have
been gratifed but it has not. The most
strenuous advocates Of Mr.. Van Buren,
that know are politicians and leaders of
the notification party. That party has
ton in our own State are aow distinctly
mustered under the banner Of Mr.. Van
Buren,. | cannot enlist in that service,
and for the following among many other
reasons: have always looked with the
greatest fears to the introduction into the
politics Of the Union Of the system Of the
Albany Regency system commenced
Immediately after the close Of the Revolu-
ton, by Aaron Burr, and of which Mr..
Van Buren, is the acknowledged head
The great characteristic Of that system is
10 govern men by addressing the lowest
of their selfish passions, the love OF money
and of office. The same system upon
which Sir Robert Walpole practised with
such corruptng influence upon English
morals, and with such fatal effects upon
English liberty. If for no other reason, |
would not sanction, by a reelection, the
influences which brought Mr.. Van Buren,
into power; no fair man will deny that he
was brought into Office by the oyerpow.
ering influence OF General Jackson. The
first step in the decline Of all free repub.
lies has been the nomination by the exec.
utiye head Of the Government OF his sue
cessor. It's q curious fact, and will be so
regarded hereafter, that man should
have attained the Presidency without hav.
ing associated his name with one single
important period or measure in the history
OF his country. If the most prolix and
minute historian were to write the history
Of this country previous to Mr.. Van Bu-
ren's election there is no single point in
that history with which he would find &C.
cason or excuse for connecting his name.
] regard as the very greatest danger Of the
times in which we live, greater even than
tho enctoachnents Of the Federal on the
State Governments, the alarming tendency
10 the accumulation in the Federal Execu-
tive Of all the powers Of the coordinate
department Of the Federal Government.
We have seen Mr.. Van Buren, persisting
upon the country his financial schemes,
after repeated decisions Of the People
against them, in defiance Of their remon-
strances, and in disregard Of their great
and universal suferings. We have seen
him urging these schemes by all the vast
patronage and power with which he is in.
vested, and receiving the aid of those who
have denounced these measures as de-
structive Of the best interests of the coun-
try. What difference is there between an
acknowledged despotlsm, where the Exec
utive makes the laws, and such state oI
things as this, where he makes the laws
through the agency Of others, many Of
whom are themselves opposed to these
laws?
There is one ground Of objection to Mr..
Van Buren, which would forbid me tc
vote for him if approved ofhis measures
which do not; and if had confidence
in his professions, which | have not; al
Jude TO the ferocious war which he ha,
been waging, and which, if re elected, he
will carry on with increased energy, upor
the currency, commerce, and credit of the
country. Never has the world known Q
people as prosperous and a. happy as our.
when he came into power; never has any
people suffered more severe trials since
II has been one unbroken series Of suffer
ing, disaster, and misery. / do most sin
cerely believe that nothing can restore
prosperity TO the country but taking power
from bis hands; nothing else will restore
public confidence, and confidence is al
that is now wanting. 1t is true that many
Of the causes Of embarrassment existed
before the last election; we should have
suffered somewhat, but that the trouble;
and embarrassments Of the country have
been infinitely aggravated by his meas