South Branch Intelligencer

For the Intelligencer.
To the "Jackson" yeomanry of Hampshire.
Gentlemen: Your support of Gen. Jackson, in preference to John Q. Adams, when the latter was a candidate for re-election, was doubtless prompted by patriotic motives. A plain, republican, and economical people yourselves, you naturally objected to the re-election of Mr. Adams on the very feasible ground of his expensive administration of the general government. And, being induced to believe, from the loud promises of Gen. Jackson, then a candidate, that, if elected to the Presidency, he would immediately introduce, into the government, of our national affairs, the most rigid economy; reform existing abuses; and do a thousand other good things too tedious here to particularize, you, without hesitation, as before intimated, patriotically gave him your undivided suffrages. Well, the Old Hero then succeeded, as he did four years subsequently, and still sits at the helm of our national ship. And, judging from the warm support which you have all along given his administration, I am induced to believe that his official acts have met your entire approbation. Well, this is all very right, if you sincerely believe he has redeemed all the high sounding promises made during his candidacy in reference to reform, economy, &c. But as his second constitutional term will soon expire, and you are not desirous of electing him for a third term; let me beseech you, as a plain, economical people, not to support, as his immediate successor, Martin Van Buren. For, Gentlemen, the very same motives of economy, which prompted you to oppose the re-election of Mr. Adams, speak trumpet-tongued in opposition to the rationality of your bestowing your suffrages, in November next, on the purse proud aristocrat of Kinderhook: A man, so destitute of American feeling, and holding the skill of her artizans in such utter contempt, as to import from Europe, a three thousand dollar carriage, horses, and servants, in which he rolls about our country in all the pomp and magnificence of an oriental monarch. I say, Gentlemen, a man of this description is not fit to preside, as President, over a plain, republican people; nor can I believe that you, the sturdy yeomanry of Hampshire, will ever, after mature reflection, contribute your mite in bringing about this much to be regretted state of things. It is true, you have been commanded by Gen. Jackson to support him, as his immediate successor. But this, you may refuse to do, notwithstanding your friendship for him, and not act improperly. A child, when offered the inebriating bowl by its bacchanalian father, and commanded to sip, may commendably refuse, and yet not forfeit parental affection. And what right has General Jackson to command you to vote for Van Buren as his successor? None in the world. Then, Gentlemen, let me again beseech you not to aid in the elevation to the presidency of the purse-proud Martin, seeing his total unfitness from his monarchical habits to rule over, a free and independent people. But for the plain, old, democratic, farmer of North Bend, who has spent forty years in the most arduous service of his country, and whose talents, as well as habits, eminently qualify him for the station, I say, "go ahead" on Monday. Gentlemen, the films of party prejudice and you will see, as clearly as the midday sun in the heavens, the propriety of the step I recommend. You will see that the claims of the "Little Dutchman" are as imponderable, in comparison to those of Gen. Harrison, as the smallest visible particle of matter is to one of those tremendous mountains with which you are encompassed.

A plain old Farmer who twice voted for Jackson but who never will for Van Buren.
22nd Aug., 1836.