Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-01-18

ways choice; and though the making of ,ha,
choice, may sometimes be embarrassed by con-
hictinS considerations, arising out of Il want of
entire coincidence Of opinion with either of the
opposing candidates, it is only the more incum-
bent on as TO determine our preference with care
ana elaboration, according 10 tire best ichts of
our understandings; and when once conscien-
nousiy formed, iearlessly and unhesi,atinply TO
act it out.
In the approaching Presidential contest, then,
we Ought not and cannot be neutral; and it, as
every thing now indicates is To be .he case. ,ha,
contest shall be between MIR. Van Buren, and Mr.
Ciay, nave as lntle hesitation in sayinu tina,
'here Is but one line OF action by which we can
acqult ourselves of the full measure Of our duty
10 me conntry~-and that is, waving all minor
considerations, TO give a manly and determined
support to MIR. Clay in preference to MIR. Van Bu-
rem. For myself, l can conceive OF no greater
calamity to the nation, deeper discredi to the
cause and very name OF popular government, than
the recollection of MIR. Van Buren, would be, after
the signal and overwhelming majority by which
he was so recently deposel from power, npon the
fullest canvass of his measures, policy and COR
duct.
The host OF Sindcivo passions which follow
IN The tram OF restored governments-ihe crowds
OF hungry retainers, pleading the merit of pas,
services, wlro press forward 10 claim the reward
OF their fidelity, indemnity for sacrifices and
aled and pernacious attachment 10 ancient abu-
seS--the arbitrary and seli-willcd habits nurtured
IN The iofmer possession of power-lhe commit
Inent TO avorlle but perncious schemes of policy
have all concurred to give a sort of proverbial
currency 10 the remark of u celebrated English
statesman and historian, that the worst and most
dang' rous Of all revolutions is Il Restoration -
That all these evils would be realized to the wi
uest extent, and IN their most unmtiTated ,iru-
tence In The restoration of Mr.. Van Buren,, none
can doubt who have been attentive observers Of
me selfish ana vicious system of party policy en-
emplihcd In the creed and conduc, of himself and
ms friends, or who have not forgotten that mcmora-
Die motto oil party raPacity, so boldly cmblazoned
on the shields Of his chosen followers which, i'm
proclainng'to The vctors belong the spoils of VIC
tory shamelessly pointed to the offices and pub
TIC trusts oil The country, as the nghtful plumber of
political warlaret
But 10 return to The remark l have already
made Could any thing nfct deeper wound
on the Cause OF Republican Institutions than such
spectacle Of levity and instability on the par,
OF Tie constituent body, as would be exhibited i'm
the restoration of Mr.. Van Buren,, after the over
"heiWlng condemnation Of his administration,
pronounced by the almost unanimous voice of The
country, but three short years agol Would /,
not render popular government itself d "hye-word
ana tannt among the naiousl I'm 1910, the A.
mer'can people, upon the fullest and most delibe-
rate hearing o! both sides of the political contro-
/ 10y 'hc dis wei as oil me opponents
OF MT. van Buren-recorded their votes agains,
him by such a majority as never before signaized
me retreat OF any minister from power, and was
till then utterly unparalleled, and even unap-
preached, in the history Of our Presidential con-
tests. vi the &c States composing the Union, he
reserved the votes OF but seven, and all Of these
except one) the smallest of the con(ederacy--of
me 29l votes of the Ee toral Colleges, he OBJ
tained but slXty-and of the popular suilrares, a
majority oil l45, 900 out Of the free and enlighten-
ed cltsens OF America, who voted in the election,
gave In their accumulated verdict against him.
Ana yet IN the face of this solemn finding of the
great Inquest of the body of the nalion-while
the echo OF the general voice which pronounced
III mas not yet died upon the ear-a bold attempt is
maue 10 Induce the people 10 take back their own
settled and well considered Judgment, and in ele-
waiting again TO the highest Office of the Republic
u, tne individual whom they had recently and de-
'icerateiy deposed, pronounce a fragrant sentence
OF stuinhcauon and incompetence upon them
selves. know not in what light other minds NAV
view such proceeding; but to me it seems a
coh'emptu AS sporting with the sovereign constit.
uency of the country-a sheer mockery and insult
to the public intelligence.
And by what means is Mr.. Van Buren, to be a.
gain presented as The legitimate and annoin,ed
cahuidaie oil The Democratic party! Not certain
| ~ by The Will OF the great body Of the party,
"ho' we nave every reason to believe, deprecate
and deplore the madness and folly of the act. but
tuted conc6aCcs and CAUCUssEs controlled with ab-
! soiute sway, by few bold and adroit political
managers. run no risk in saying that if the in
d!viduals composing the party throughout the u
mon could be interrogated, upon the voR DIRE, 10
say whom they would prefer as the Presidential
nominee oil The party, three-fourlIs of them at
the least, and probably far larger proportion,
would, unhestatlngly, declare their preference for
some new candidate. And yet in utter contempt
OF The popular sentiment of the party, and dis.
da'nuliy rejecting the only equitable, as well as
practicable mode of arriving at the will of the ma
lority thro The medium OF a fair, equal and uni
form popular representation in the nominating
convention, the friends of Mr.. Van Buren,, (hold.
ing on to that old machinery Of party discipline
and snbordination, derived 10 them from the cum
ming order oil the Jesuits through the bloody JAG
! ooinical Clubs OF Revolutonary France, by which
one or two active spirits are enabled to suppress
the will and control the movements of vast and
entire bodies OF menu imperiously declare that
ne and he only, shall be the candidate of the par
w. Is IL not time that honorable and patriotic
men, as they respect the dignity of their own
character, the privileges of reemen, and the sa-
! cred principles OF Republican Government should
unite In one generous and vrtuous struggle TO o.
verthrow, etiectuaIly and forever, the tyranny of
system, which, If now submitted to, must final
" convert our noble popular Institutions into the
worst OF all dominations-that of an unscrupu-
lous and sordid party oligarchy.
And what are the wise and beniunant measures
OF administrative policy which are promised us
as the fruits of MIR. Van Buren's restorationl A
return to the gories and blessings of the Sub
treasury system-a renewed war upon the cur
rency, commerce and business of the country -
Just at the moment when, by the mere fact Of the
withdrawal of the hostility Of the government,
ana mat c's mcdicatrir nature which is inherent
IN the energies Of free, enterprsing and indus
tIious people, all The business pursuits Of the ma
ion are regalnlng their prosperity and activity
and the currency and exchanges of the country