Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-07-09

from six to eight dollars, until we had don
justice to, and provided for, these soldiers
You will find my votes upon this question
among the records of Congress, and m
speech upon it, in the published debates of tn
time.
| will now, fellow-citizens, give you m,
reasons for having refused to give pledges ant
opinions more freely than | have done since
my nomination to the, Presidency. Many o
the statements published upon this subject
are by no means correct; but it is true that i
is my opinion that no pledge should be mad,
by an individual when in nomination for an,
office in the gift of the People. And why
Once adopt it, and the battle will no longer
be to the strong-to the virtuous-or to the
sincere lover of his country; but to him who
Is prepared to tell the greatest number oflies
and to proffer the largest number of pledges
which he never intends to carry out. / sup
pose that theb best guarantee which an Ameri-
can citizen could have of the correctness OF
the condnct of an individual in the future,
would be his conduct in the past, when he
had not temptation before him, to practice de-
cet.
Now, fcllow-citizens, have not altogeth-
er grown grey under the helmet of my coun-
try, although have worn it for some time.
large portion of my life has been passed
In the civil departments of government. Ex-
anime my conduct there, and the most tena-
clous democrat-l use the word in its proper
sense; mean not to confine it to parties, fof
there are good in both-may, doubtless, dis
cover faults, but he will find no single actcal-
culatcd to aerogate from the rights of the pee-
pie.
However, TO prove the reverse of this,
have been called Federalist. Here was a
loud cry of ''the charge is a lie-a base lie.
You are no fedcralist." Well what is feder-
a!ist! | recollect what the word formerly sig
niied, and there are many others present who
tecollect its former Specification also. They
know that the federal party were accused of
design to strengthen the hands Of the gen.
eral government at the expense OF the sepa-
rate States. That accusation could not or
cannot apply to me. 1 was brought up after
the strictest manner of Virginia anti-federal-
Ism. st. Paul himself was not greater de-
voice to the doctrines of the Pharisees, than
was L, by inclination and a fathers precepts
and example, to anti-federalism. was taught
to believe that, sooner or later, that fatal ca
tastrophe to human liberty would take place
that the general government would swal-
low up all the State governments, land that one
department of the government would swallow
up all the other departments. donot know
whether my friend Mr.. Van Buren, land he is
and hope ever will be, my personal friend)
has outlet that can swallow every thing
but do know, that if his measures are all
carried out, he will lay foundation for 9TH
ers to do so if he does not.
| What rejecting man, fellow citizens, carr
not see this2 The Representatives of the
People were once the source of power. Is it
so now! Nay. 1t is to the Executive man.
sion now that every eye is turned-that every
wish is directed. The men of office and par
ty, who are governed by the seven principles
OF JOHN RANDOLPH, to wit: the five loaves and
two fishes, seem to have their ears constantly
directed to the great bell at head quarters, to
indicate how the little ones shall ring.
But to return, l have but to remark that nv
antifederalism has been tempered by my long
service in the employ ofmy country-and my
frequent eaths to support her general govern
ment, but am as ready 20 resist the encroach-
ments, as am to support the legitimate au-
thorlty OF the executive, or the general gov
eminent.
Now, fellow citizens, have very little
more to say, except to eXhort you to 90 on,
peacefully if you can-and you can-to effect
that reform upon which your hearts are fixed
What calamitous consequences will ensue to
the world if you fail. 1fyou should fail, how
the tyrants Of Europe will rejoice.-If you
fail, how will the friends of freedom, scatter
ed, like the few planets of heaven, over the
world, mourn, when they see the beacon light
ofiiberty extinguished-the light, whose rays
they had hoped would yet penetrate the whole
benighted world.
you triumph, it will only be done by vi
GLANCE and attention. Our personal friends,
but political enemies, remind each other that
"Eternal vigilance is the price Of Liberty"
While journeying hitherward, observed this
motto waving at the head of procession COM
lposed of the friends of the present admins
tration.-From this / inferred, that discrimi-
nation was necessary in order 20 know who
to watch. Under jefferson, Madison and
Monroe, the eye of the People was turned tt
the right source-to the administration.-The
administration, however, now say to the PEG
pie, 'syou must not watch us, but you mus
watch the Wings! Only do that, and all is
safe!" But that, my friends, is not the way
The old fashioned republican rule is to watcl
the government See that the government
does not acquire too much power. Keep
check upon your rulers. Do this, and liber
ty is safe. And if your efforts should resul
, successfully, and should be placed in the
Presidential chair, | shall invite recurrence
to the old republican rule, to watch the ad
ministration, and to condemn all its act
which are not in accordance with the strict
est code Disqualification. Ourrulers, fellow
citizens, must be watched. Power is insinu
ating. Few men are satisfied with less pow
er than they are able to procure. If the la
dies whom | see around me, were near enoup
, to hear me, and Of sufficient age to give an ex
, perimental answer, they would tell you tina
no lover is ever satisfied with the first smile G
his mistress.
II ic pococcor-- tiero(nro To 1r-,fcb 81