Phenix Gazette

[COMMUNICATED.]
ANTI-JACKSON MEETING IN WESTMORELAND.

A meeting of the Citizens of Westmoreland, opposed to the re-election of Andrew Jackson to the Presidency, took place at the Court House on the 3d day of October, during the term of the Superior Court, for the purpose of adopting measures to be represented in the National Republican Convention in Baltimore. Lawrence Washington, Esq. was unanimously called to the Chair, and Milton A. Harvey appointed Secretary. The object of the Meeting being briefly explained, on motion, a Committee of eight gentlemen, viz.: William F. Taliaferro, Robert Baily, Henry E. Storke, Robert Beale, sen., Richard T. Brown, James Jett, Robert Beale, jun., and George W. Lewis, were chosen to prepare a preamble and resolutions expressive of the views of the meeting. Whereupon the Committee retired, and in a short time returned and reported the following preamble and resolutions, which were adopted nemine contradicente.

Many are the occasions when the People, in their primary, sovereign capacity, have felt themselves called upon to deliberate upon public affairs and to adopt measures for their protection and safety. The history of our country, though short, has not been uneventful in highly important and interesting occurrences. We have passed through some momentous crisis, honorably, nobly, victoriously. Our country has ever been rescued from all danger, whether menaced from without or engendered within, by the wisdom and moderation of the People, acting in the soberness of discreet intelligence, and with that decision and promptness becoming those relying upon their competence for self-government. We have seen our country emerged from the effect of two wars, her vigor renovated, her resources enlarged, her stability confirmed, and her prosperity placed upon a surer basis. We have seen a civil revolution effected by the forcible and operative energy of the popular intelligence, and treason and internal commotion quelled by the saving vigilance of the people, and the effective application of the laws.

But notwithstanding our good fortune heretofore, in guarding our country from all evils, in sustaining her honor, and preserving her integrity, it is becoming the people, with unrelaxed vigilance and exertions, to perpetuate the triumphs of their wisdom and firmness, and to transmit them unimpaired, to their latest posterity. Another crisis has arisen, equal, if not surpassing in magnitude and importance, any that we have yet experienced. The least discerning patriot must recognize in the present distracted state of parties, and fever of political excitement, all that demands the highest energies of effort, and the deliberate exercise of popular interference, to arrest the progress of misrule, and to stay the onward course of our government to destruction. We declare our firm belief in the necessity of their interference, and we appeal to, and invite its active and instant exercise. Unless a timely corrective is applied, unless the tide of corruption is intercepted, and the mismanagement of our affairs is checked, by teaching our rulers to respect the opinion and the rights of the people, and to appreciate the proper measure of their responsibility, we may yet live to deplore our inactivity and supineness, and to expend unavailing regret, for the lost liberties of our country.

We, the citizens of Westmoreland, opposed to the re-election of Gen. Jackson, are deeply impressed with those opinions. We view the situation of our country, produced by the mal-administration of our affairs, as highly critical and important, if not dangerous and threatening—we believe that contemporaneous with the inauguration of General Jackson, have been introduced and fostered political heresies, tending to disunion, and menacing civil war; and we believe, though now disclaimed by some of his supporters, they date their origin with his election to the Presidency.

We believe that he has established a precedent in the arbitrary removal of men from office, dangerous to the liberties of the citizen. We believe that he came into office without a just conception of the nature of his responsibilities, and extent of his constitutional powers. That consequently he has contemptuously disregarded the authority of the Senate as a branch of the federal Executive, and has made appointments without their advice or consent. That he has almost in every instance made his patronage subservient to his passions, and personal devotion the only guide to his choice of government agents. That he has been active in bringing the patronage of the government in conflict with the purity of elections, and has had his emissaries in this State and in Kentucky with money at their disposal to influence the people and purchase their votes. We believe that he has violated every pledge that he ever gave to his country. We believe that he is alternately governed by his indomitable passions and misguided judgment, and influenced by the persuasions of favorites and flatterers.

We have implicit confidence in the statements of Mr. Berrien, Mr. Branch and Mr. Ingham, and we believe that he has exercised 'malign influence' in the regulation of the social relations of his late Cabinet—officious and disgusting in itself, and disgraceful and degrading to the character of the country. We believe his natural imbecility of mind and violence of temper, make him the dupe of his own passions, and prompt all his acts without pure or patriotic motives; and for the honor and happiness of our country, we regret to say we believe that he is destitute of any adequate notion of what becomes the dignity of his station, the duties of his office, and the limits of his authority, and that his views are solely directed to the aggrandizement of himself and his minions that surround him, and that all his ends are selfish and all his means tyrannical. Convinced as we are of these facts, we feel bound by the strictest ties of duty to our country to oppose the re-election of a man thus incompetent and unqualified for the Office of President.

In the contemplated Convention in Baltimore we have the probable means of concentrating public opinion upon a man as the successor to Gen. Jackson, who will be the choice of his country. We highly approve the proposed Convention and the principles upon which it is to meet. We confidently look to its results as of the greatest possible importance to the welfare of our Union, and we most ardently invoke the attention of the other counties of this District to the subject, and entreat their co-operation. We have every reason to conclude that there is a majority of people in the Northern Neck, opposed to the re-election of Gen. Jackson; nay, if the strength of the opposition were properly measured in this State, the Old Dominion would be found to array a powerful and respectable portion of its population against the present Administration. Although we may be of the minority, we can find no well-grounded reason in the fact why we should not take part in the deliberations that are to assert the rights and promote the interest of our common country. Although we are aware of the neutral character of a Convention in Baltimore, so far as the situation of a successor to Gen. Jackson is concerned, and we concur in the principles of the meeting, —yet we cannot withhold a tribute of our respect and admiration for the illustrious statesman of the West, Henry Clay. His character we delight to contemplate. In these days of corruption and party strife, when the minds of men are grovelling in the narrow and devious paths of intrigue and chicanery, and their hearts are frozen by self-interest, it is grateful to behold that eminent, distinguished man, through all the vicissitudes of party animosity and political conflict, bearing himself alone and aloft—his mind directed to the perfection of those measures which are fraught with benefit to his country.— His opinions remaining consistent and firm, amid the fitful changes of the times, and the lustre of his character unblemished by all the assaults of ribaldry and detraction. He it is whom we admire. He it is upon whom we repose our hopes, and we sanguinely expect to see him enjoying that confidence and honor from his country, which his brilliant virtues and transcendent talents so justly merit.

Resolved, That this meeting cordially approve of the proposed Convention of Republicans in Baltimore, and that it is expedient for us to be represented there.

Resolved, That our friends in all the counties in this district, be requested to hold meetings and choose delegates to assemble at some central point, to elect one or more representatives to the National Republican Convention to be held in Baltimore, in December next.

Resolved, That we feel ourselves called upon by the highest consideration of duty to our country, to oppose the re-election of Gen. Jackson.

Resolved, That [William F. Taliaferro and Lawrence Washington] be chosen Delegates, on the part of this meeting, to confer with such others as the other counties of the district may appoint, to elect one or more representatives to the Baltimore Convention.

Resolved, That we approve the choice of R. Stanard and Chapman Johnson, Esqs. as representatives on the part of the State at large, to the Convention in Baltimore.

Resolved, That in the event of no meeting taking place of Delegates, from the other counties of the District, that [William F. Taliaferro and Lawrence Washington] be requested and authorized to proceed to Baltimore, as delegates from this county.

Resolved, That in the exalted talents, eminent experience, uncompromising integrity and incorruptible principles of Henry Clay, we have the highest confidence, that for his distinguished services and devotion to his country, and his friendliness and uniform support of human liberty, the rights of man throughout the world, he merits our profound admiration and gratitude.

On motion, the blanks in the second resolution were filled by the names of Wm. F. Taliaferro, Lawrence Washington, Richard T. Brown and Robert Beale, Sen'r, Esqs. and on further motion, the blanks in the 3d resolution were filled by the names of Wm. F. Taliaferro and L. Washington, Esqs.

On motion, the meeting adjourned.

LAW. WASHINGTON, President.
MILTON A. HARVEY, Secretary.