Richmond Enquirer

POLITICAL.

PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS
Adopted at the Harrison meeting in Wheeling on the 3d of October.

Whereas the existence of our republic and the liberties of our fellow-citizens depend upon the energetic interposition of the people to prevent the evil of a President nominating his successor to office; to effect which, the corrupting patronage of office is brought directly to bear through the agency of federal power and influence.

That we view all attempts on the part of federal office-holders, to control, or to influence the free and fair expression of popular sentiments, as contrary to the spirit of a free government, and subversive of those principles of liberty bequeathed by our forefathers.

That any attempt on the part of the President of the United States, either by himself or through his dependants and party, to designate his successor, or in any manner by his personal popularity, to influence the free exercise of a constitutional right, as an arbitrary exercise of an illegitimate power, not known to the Constitution, is dangerous to liberty, and ought to be resisted.

That the dogmas avowed by the partisans of Van Buren, that "the spoils of office are the rewards of the victors," and the no less abominable doctrines promulgated by them, that "the Chief Magistrate knows how, and will reward his friends and punish his opponents," are principles alike unknown to our Constitution, and are but the beginnings of those principles that will finally overlook all barriers to their ambition.

The evidences of this unauthorized attempt at influence in our constitutional rights, is the repeated attempts of federal officers (pending elections,) to influence the elective franchise; rights which once usurped, will render the triumphs of our forefathers of but little avail in averting our rapid strides to despotic power. "We may, indeed, like Rome, in the days of her Marius, her Sylla, and her Cinna, be still governed through the forms of her constitution, but the spirit of freedom, with all her quickening and life-giving impulses, will have fled forever."

In the discharge of our duty as freemen, the period is fast approaching for us, in common with our fellow-citizens, to give our suffrages in the election of a President of the United States.

The Baltimore Convention, the engine of despotic power, have nominated Martin Van Buren for President; and our chief aim should be to defeat that nomination, and that all our partialities should be surrendered for the public good.

The "father of his country" has warned us against local divisions; let us cherish that warning in proportion as we love our country, and while we proclaim to the world our choice, let us be ready and willing to sacrifice that choice for our country's good.

In selecting a candidate for that high and important post, let us select one least objectionable to sectional and party prejudice, one free from the contamination of office, unaided by place or patronage, whom power, whenever and wherever obtained, come through the legitimate source of all power, the will of the people.

One, the tenor of whose life has been guided by the strictest principles of our Government, whose capacity for civil rule cannot be questioned Such a man we find in William Henry Harrison, of Ohio, the son of a patriot signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Therefore, be it

1. Resolved, That we deem our fellow citizen Wm Henry Harrison, of Ohio, from his long and distinguished public service, a suitable candidate, having the qualifications, and as such recommend him to the support of our fellow-citizens.

2. Resolved, That we view the proceedings of the Baltimore Convention as an attempt by a party, sanctioned by the influence of the President of the United States, to impose upon a free people a time-serving partisan candidate, upon principles inimical to self-government.

3. Resolved, That to restore the violated Constitution and broken laws to their original spirit and integrity, we deem it of the first importance to defeat the election of Martin Van Buren. And although we have recommended William Henry Harrison as our choice as the candidate most likely to unite the various conflicting partialities and prejudices; yet, if circumstances require, we are ever ready to surrender that choice for our country's good, and to enable us to take advantage of any future developments--Be it

4. Resolved, That we recommend to the friends in Virginia, opposed to Martin Van Buren, a convention to be held at the city of Richmond, on the second Monday in January, 1836, for the purpose of nominating a candidate for President and Vice President of the U. States.

5. Resolved, That the citizens of Virginia opposed to the election of Martin Van Buren and R. M Johnson, be earnestly recommended to hold meetings in their respective counties, for the purpose of electing delegates to the said convention to be held on the 2d Monday in January, 1836.

6. Resolved, That Gen. M. W. Chapline, Col. George Dulty, Col. C. D. Knox, Major J. Good, sen., and John L. Newby, Esq be a committee of correspondence for the county of Ohio, and that the said committee have power, in case of the failure of the proposed convention, in conjunction with committees from the other counties of this Congressional district, to nominate an Elector for President and Vice President

7. Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the papers of this town, and that Editors throughout the Union, opposed to Martin Van Buren and Richard M. Johnson, be requested to publish the same.

Z. JACOB, Chairman.
James Gwinn, Secretary