Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-10-08

man raises his hand, or opens his mouth
F., its favor.
1t was during the progress of the late Al
ministration, and under the well known au
pices ofthe present Chief Magistrate, TIN
the declaration was made i'm the Senate, TIL
In regard to public office, the spoils of Wet
ry belonged to the conquerors; thus bold
proclaimlng, rs the creed Of the party, th;
political contests are rightfully struggles f
| office and emolumcnt. We protest again.
doctrines, which thus regard Offices as create
for the sake of incumbcnts, and stimulat
the basest passions to the pursuit. of hip
public trusts.
We protest against the repeated instance
OF disregarding judicial decisions, by officer
oil Government, and others enjoying its coun
fenance; thus setting up executive interpre
tatlon over the solemn adjudications of courts
and juries, and showing marked disrespec
for the usual and constitutional Interpretation
and execution of the laws.
This misgovernment and mal-administra
ton, would have been the more tolerable, i
they had not been committed, in most instan
ces, IN direct contradiction to the warmes
professions, and the most solemn assurances
Promises of better currency for example
have ended in the destruction of all national
and uniform currency; assurances Of the
strictest economy have been but preludes to
the most wastcful excess; even the Florida
war has been conducted under loud prctences
of severe frugality and the most open,
unblushing and notorious interference with
State elections, has been systematically
practised by the paid agents OF an adj
ministration, which in the full freshness of
Its oath of office, declared that one Gifts lead
ing objects should be 10 accomplish that task
Of reform, ,chich particularly required the cor
rection Of those abuses, achich brought the pat
ronage Of the federal government info conflict
aciM tie freedom Of elections.
In the teeth of this solemn assurance, it has
proved that the United States officers have
been assessed, in sums bearing proportion to
the whole amount they receive from the Trea..
sury, for the purpose of supporting their par
tizans even in State and municipal elections.
Whatever, in short, has been most protested,
has been least practised; and it seems to
have been taken for granted that the Amerf
can people would be satisfied with pretence,
and fulltoned assurance of patriotic purpose.
The history ofthe last twelve years has been
but the history of broken promises and disap-
pointed hopes. At every successive period
of this history an enchanting, rose-coored flu
tsEsS has hen sPreadd SR Rfafe bs ee9p
revenue, finance and currency. But these
colors have faded as the object has been ap.
preached. Prospects of abundant revenue
have resulted in the necessity of borrowing;
the brilliant hopes ola better currency end In
general arrangement, stagnation and distress;
and while the whole country is reused to an
excitement by the pressure OF
the times, every state paper from the Cabinet
at Washington comes forth fraught with con-
CALCULATIONS on that happy state of things,
which the wise policy of the administration
is alleged to have brought about Judged
by the tone of these papers, every present
of the people is quite nnreasona-
BILE; and all attempts at change, only so ma
ny ungrateful returns for the wise and Sue
cessful administration of public affairs!
There is yet another subject of complaint to
which we feel bound 10 advert, by our venera-
ton for the ilustrious dead, by our respect for
truth, by our love for the honor of our country,
and by our own wounded pride as American
citizens. We feel that the country has been
dishonorcd, and we desire to free ourselves
from all imputation OF acquiescence In the
parricidal act The late President, in com
muncation to Congress, more than intlmates,
that some of the earliest and most important
measures of Washngton's administration
were the offspring of personal motives and
private interests. His successor has repeat
ed and extended this accusation, and given tc
it, we are compelled to say, a greater degree OF
olfensiveness and grossness. No man will
an American heart in his bosom, can endure
this without feeling the deepest humiliation
as well as the utmost scorn. The fame o
Washington and his immediate associates. /:
of the richest treasures OF the country. Hi;
is that name which an American may ute
with pride in every part OF the world, ant
which, wherever uttered, is shouted TO thu
skies by the voices ofall true lovers of human
liberty. Imputations which assail his meas
ures so rudely, while they are abominable vi
olations of the truth of history, are an insul
to the country, and an offence against tn
moral sentiments Of civilized mankind. Mis-
cradle, miserable indeed, must be that caus
which cannot supportits party prcdominance
its ruinous schemes and sCnseless expert
ments, without thus attempting to poison tn
fountains of truth. and to prove the govern
ment of cur country disgracefully corrup
even in its very cradle. Our hearts woul
sink within us, we believed that such a
effort could succeed; but they must be impt
| tent. Neither the recent nor the preser
| President, was born to cast shade on til
character Of Washington or his associates
/ The destiny of both has been, rather, TO j
| lustrate by contrast, that wisdom and thos
virtues which they have not initiated, and
| hurl blows, which the aaectionatc veneratic
Of American citizens, and the general jusiiC
| of the civilized world, will render harmle:
to others, and powerful only in their recc
upon themselves. Ifths language be stron
so also is that feeling of Indignation whi'
has suggested it; and on an occasion Iii
this, we could rot leave this consccrated spt
without the consciousness of having omit
an indispensable duty, had we not thus 81
en- utterance TO the fulness Of our hearts, a
marked with our severest Tebuke, aud mC
ihnrnumh rcnrnl,nt inn and scnrn- a lalanrnl