Martinsburg Gazette

Washington Mirror

EXTRA,

Printed at the City of Washington, and supporting the election of WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, to the Presidency of the United States.

If there be one feature more characteristic of our institutions than any other, it is that which secures to the people the choice of their public servants. In providing for the contingency of a failure to elect a chief magistrate, our constitution directs that the choice shall devolve upon the House of Representatives. The circumstances charged, whether falsely or not, on the elections so made, have excited the jealousy of the people, who desire to keep the several departments of the government independent of each other; feeling, as they instinctively do, that a revolution has already been accomplished-that we are no longer a Republic when the will of the President controls the action of Congress.

We, who have closely observed the events of the last few years have seen with deep alarm the progress of despotism. In 1828 the bare suspicion that executive influence had penetrated the halls of Congress, drove the incumbent from office, and the new President came in pledged to reform all the abuses charged upon his predecessor. But what have we seen? The expenditures which, under the administration of Mr. Adams, were less than thirteen millions, have risen to upwards of forty-seven millions per annum, taking the appropriations for the current year; and the system of favoritism and executive dictation, so forcibly condemned in General Jackson's first inaugural address, has become the acknowledged basis upon which the candidate of the party rests his expectations.

In 1828, no one suspected, indeed it never had been charged, that the officers of the government had used their official station as a means of speculation. But what do we now behold? It is known that the Post Master General, who, a few years ago was the object of party charity ; who put up his principles and services for hire, who received party contributions as a gratuity; who came to this city deeply in debt, and has since paid his debts and sustained extraordinary expenses out of a salary altogether amounting to twenty one thousand dollars: is a partner and owns stock to the amount of fifty thousand dollars in one of the companies which have been using the public monies to purchase public land! The question arises, how did he get this money? The solution of the question is that the greater part of the stock was assigned to him, for the use of his name and influence. It has also been charged, and has not been denied, and we believe it to be true, that another Company gave fifty thousand dollars of stock to the Attorney General for drawing up their articles of association. and for the use of his name. Mr. Kendall's stock rose in the market so that it was selling for two dollars for one paid in. The price was affected by the distribution bill, so that it fell sixty per cent, making a loss of thirty thousand dollars.- Still, however, leaving seventy thousand dollars which the speculators in public lands have given to Amos Kendall for his influence!!

Is it not time that every man who loves his country-that all men who exercise any influence over public opinion--should exert that influence to arouse the sleeping energies of the people? Does any one doubt these facts? Is any one so blind as not to see that speculators and office-holders have leagued together; that they have abused the confidence which a generous and confiding people have reposed in Gen. Jackson ; and by using his name and popularity, organized a party which proposes to perpetuate its abuses, now in the person of Martin Van Buren, and-next in the person of Amos Kendall?- And what is the argument which these men urge upon the people! Is not their strongest argument the declaration that, unless the people support Martin Van Buren, the election must again go into Congress? We believe that the only means of defeating the election of Martin Van Buren is to unite in the support of General Harrison.

Making together 201 votes, being fifty-three votes more than a majority of the whole electoral college.

That a majority of the electors of these States prefer the election of Gen. Harrison to that of the President's nominee, we most sincerely believe ; and assured that all that is wanting to elect General Harrison by the electoral colleges is to demonstrate that it can be accomplished, we shall devote our humble efforts to harmonize the elements in conflict, by enforcing a patriotic surrender of personal preference on the altar of public duty. Indeed, how proud a contrast does General Harrison present, when compared to the corrupt speculators who are now using their official stations and the public funds, to enrich themselves at the expense of the people! He has been for nearly forty years in the public service. He has negotiated a treaty by which the government have obtained a territory of vast extent. He has disbursed millions of public money; and the breath of suspicion has never whispered that he abused his trust. He has never received large donations in land or stock for his official influence.

The official candidate is supported by a corps of pensioned presses, and a combination of office-holders, aided by the most unheard of expenditure in the public money. The President himself, and the heads of departments openly set the example of electioneering-putting up the offices, the contracts, and patronage of the government in exchange for party services. Does any one doubt these facts: Does any one deny that the expenses of the government have increased, are increasing, and ought to be diminished?- Does not every one see that the election of Mr. Van Buren will perpetuate these abuses? If there be abuses, and that there be abuses the facts proclaim trumpet-tongued, how are they to be reformed? Certainly not by electing Martin Van Buren. He and his party who live upon the spoils of office, who have grown rich upon official abuses and official speculations, are not the men to correct these abuses. If they are continued in office there will be no reform. Mr. Van Buren is pledged to administer the government as it is now administered; the people want REFORM. and they can reach reform only through new men. The present party come in. to power proclaiming the necessity of frequent changes in office. The only means by which the people can be satisfied, by which they can hold their public servants to a proper accountability, is, at proper intervals to bring in new men who have no interest in concealing abuses.

The necessity of a bold, fearless, and independent press at this place, which, aided by an active corresponding committee, shall, from time to time, make known facts and concentrate the action and sentiment of the people, is indispensable to the success of the people's candidate. It is cause of regret that such a paper had not been established at an earlier day, but, although the election is near at hand, much can be done; a little effort on the part of the people, and especially of the press friendly to our cause, is alone required; and the committees already organized can give to the Mirror a circulation that will enable it to do much service. We therefore call upon the people everywhere to arouse. The plunderers can and must be defeated.

Editors with whom we exchange, and those opposed to the official candidate, are requested to insert this prospectus.

The Mirror is now printed at Washington City, District of Columbia, twice a week, at five dollars per annum.

RUFUS DAWES.

Washington, August 6, 1836.