Phenix Gazette

ADAMS MEETING IN PENNSYLVANIA.

From the Chambersburg Repository, April 17.

The political meeting held at the Court-house in this place last week, the proceedings of which appear in another part of this paper, was the most numerous and respectable, that has been held here for several years, and its proceedings conducted with a decorum and unanimity we have seldom witnessed. Immediately after it was organized, George Chambers, Esq. rose and addressed the meeting, in a speech of considerable length--explaining the object for which it was convened, and stating the sentiments and opinions of those who called it, with respect to the opposition raised to the present administration of the General Government--contrasted the policy of supporting domestic manufactures, with that contended for in the southern section of the Union, in which he showed in a clear and forcible manner, that the best interests of Pennsylvania required an adherence to the former--and in conclusion, expressed the fullest confidence in the ability, integrity and virtue of the President, and pronounced the opposition as having originated in disappointment.

Mr. C. was followed by Judge Bard; he expressed regret that any cause should exist to justify a geographical allusion; but facts, he said, supported the opinion, of a determination in the South to oppose any man North of the Potomac being elected President, however worthy or capable he might be--that ever since the establishment of the government, with but one exception, and for the last quarter of a century without a single exception, they had furnished the Presidents; notwithstanding, Mr. Adams was no sooner elected, than they had united, almost to a man, to oppose his administration, right or wrong; or, as some of their boldest leaders had declared, if it should be as pure as the angel at the right hand of God! He acquiesced in the view taken by Mr. Chambers, of the policy of protecting our manufactures, and the course the interest of Pennsylvania directed her to take in the approaching contest for the Presidency--expressed his confidence in Mr. Adams, and condemned in warm and pointed terms all opposition not founded upon principle.

PUBLIC MEETING.

A numerous and respectable meeting of the citizens of Franklin county, convened at the Court house in Chambersburg, the 10th of April, 1827, in pursuance of public notice. The meeting was organized by the appointment of David Fullerton, Esq. Chairman, and Captain Samuel Dunn and Jacob Oyster, Esq. Secretaries.

The meeting being addressed by several gentlemen on the objects of the meeting and our national affairs, the following Preamble and Resolutions were then submitted, and unanimously adopted:

Whereas, it is the right and duty of the Citizens of these United States to express their opinion of the measures and conduct of men entrusted with Public Offices and Trusts. To be silent, under official abuses is to sanction them; and not to sustain official fidelity and ability, by the expression of approbation, when assailed encourages the attacks of the ambitious and selfish aspirant to office. When a retrospect is taken of the measures and debates of Congress, during the last Session, we have reason to think, that we have fallen on evil times.

Whilst the Chief Magistrate of the nation, has been studious to preserve the public peace and promote the general welfare, and sought the co-operation of the Legislative branches to assist him in the adoption of measures necessary to the protection of the best interests of the country, we have seen an opposition in Congress to every measure of the Administration, by a body of men, combined, it would seem, to oppose, however necessary and beneficial, every measure that might be projected by the administration or its friends.

To thwart such measures was a subject of congratulation, and to defeat them, was a triumph to be boasted of. The Session just closed, exhibited a factious violence, passion and rancour in debate, surpassing any thing witnessed on the floor of Congress, at any period of our political history. The decorum of debate, the dignity of high official station, the decency of language, and respect for tried public servants, were all disregarded by a multitude of members, who had, it is presumed, passions to gratify and selfish objects to attain. The most important subjects of national policy and legislation, did not receive the attention they required--some remain unsettled, and others have been defeated. The time of Congress and the money of the people have been wasted upon party and frivolous objects of individual gratification, to the neglect and destruction of the great interests of the nation.

Whilst we acquit the members from this district of a participation in an opposition so factious and mischievous, we cannot but censure all who have contributed to it; and though for the reputation of our country it is desirable, that it should be forgotten, it is impressed on the public mind in a manner too strong to be effaced, and though hereafter referred to, we trust it will be as an epoch of factious violence and opposition, disgraceful to the actors and the nation, to be lamented and not renewed. If such abuses be repeated, it is hoped that the wisdom of the people, with their regard for the principles of the constitution and official duties, will, through public opinion, and the Elections, correct such abuses by dismissing from their confidence, the men who are the authors of them.

Resolved, That we have full confidence in the ability and integrity of John Q. Adams, President of these United States: that we believe he is devoted to the welfare of the nation: that his policy and views are favorable to the best interests of the State of Pennsylvania--that we will sustain him in the discharge of his constitutional duties, and that we will use all fair and honorable means to promote his re-election to a station for which he is so well qualified by his superior talents and experience.

Resolved, That we approve of the lawful, firm and humane measures of President Adams to protect the Creek Indians in their lands and homes against violence and expulsion, by the governor of the State of Georgia and his Agents, and that we disapprove of the menaces and violence of that Governor and the Georgia Delegation in Congress, as unbecoming the Constitutional authorities of a State in its negotiations and relations with the Government of the United States, and as tending to collision and disunion of these States by war and bloodshed, to be deprecated by all good citizens as the greatest calamity that can befall this happy country.

Resolved, That we consider it as the interest of the nation to encourage and protect domestic manufactures, and that the State of Pennsylvania is peculiarly interested in such manufactures as will create a demand for our iron, encourage the increased growth of wool, and convert a part of our grain by distillation into domestic spirits, as well as every other manufacture that will supply us and make us independent of Foreign Nations, and improve the home market for the demand and consumption of our breadstuffs.

With these opinions we cannot but lament that the Opposition in Congress should, during the last session, have succeeded in defeating the bill before Congress for the protection of our Woolen Manufactures against British frauds and competition; and which would have restored to activity numerous factories that are now idle, given employment to thousands of our people, and enhanced the price of American Wool. When Southern politicians again boast of having defeated this Bill as a measure of the Administration, if brought into Congress next session, it is to be hoped that they will not be aided in it by any of the Pennsylvania Delegation.

Resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting, the last Congress, by neglecting and refusing to pass the Colonial Trade Bill, have declined to co-operate with the Executive in a measure of national policy necessary for the protection of our trade and reciprocal rights, and that we are apprehensive that such omission will have a tendency to encourage the British Government in the exclusion of our shipping from their Colonies, and increase the obstacles to negotiation and treaty, which have been so diligently and faithfully pursued by the President.

Resolved, That though the members of our National and State Legislatures, have the right to entertain and express their opinions as individuals about suitable persons to be supported at a future time for the Presidency, yet we cannot agree that members delegated by the people to Legislate, and when receiving the pay and compensation of the people out of the Treasury for Legislation, should be occupied with the business of selecting a candidate for the future Presidency; and with writing speeches and letters, and forming caucuses on the subject, to the neglect of the proper business of Legislation, which is left on their tables unfinished; and that it was with pain and mortification we observed, the attention of our present State Legislature, occupied for a considerable time, in the discussion of Resolutions to nominate a candidate for the Presidency, under the form and sanction of Legislative enactment--transcending their constitutional powers--taking from the People the right of nomination--presuming to express the sentiments of the people, on a subject on which they had not been instructed by their constituents, and neglecting the ordinary and proper business which required their attention, and much of which, even for a protracted session, will it is believed, remain unsettled.

Resolved, That in the selection of Henry Clay Esq. for the office of Secretary of State, President Adams acted wisely in bringing into the Cabinet, the most distinguished Statesman of the West, whose abilities were familiar to the nation, who had been the great advocate of Domestic Manufactures and the best interests of this country, and who has exhibited in the Department of State, since his appointment, an industry, fidelity and ability not surpassed at any period since the formation of our Government.

And, that in our opinion, the charges of corruption and bargain imputed to Mr. Adams & Mr. Clay, were the base and unfounded calumnies of malicious and ungenerous enemies, who when investigation has been demanded, have declined it.

Resolved, That there be a Committee of Correspondence, viz: Geo. Chambers, Esq. Wm. Heyser, P. Berlin, J. Findlay, Jr. J. King, S. D. Culbertson, J M'Allen, A. Robison, A. Bard. J. Burns, B. Reynolds, T. G. M'Culloh, Bernhart Wolff, Andw. Snively and Benjamin Keyser--and that it shall be the duty of said committee, to correspond with the friends of the Administration and Constitutional Government and to adopt measures to promote the re-election of Mr. Adams to the Presidency.

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the Chairman and Secretaries and published.

DAVID FULLERTON, Chairman.

Samuel Dunn,

Jacob Oyster, Secretaries.