Public Leger, Volume 1, Number 25, Richmond, Wayne County, 28 August 1824 — Page 1

J

i :ir :ic c1 SO?n

-"FRIENDLY TO THE BEST PURSUITS

OP MAN.

FRIENDLY TO THOUGHT, TO FREEDOM, AND TO PEACE." CoTPpCr.

XUMBER 25.

RICHMOND, WAYNE COUNTY, INDIANA, SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 1824.

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resolved to "recommend to the U. S. ami to ;:ich state; to adopt measures for the gradual emancipation of slaves.' We only ask of a state, who has thus nobly put the stamp of disapprobation on slavery, to be consistent, and m th" choice of the first executive of the nation, pron unce that the characteristic of opposition to slavery by a candidate is with her, a sine qva non.

From the Columbus Ohio Monitor. PRESIDENCY NO. II. "Dear js freedom is, and in my heart's Ju-t estimation priz'd above all price; I much rather be myself the slave, An i wear the bond?, than fasten them on him. " As we have made it an indeispnsible requisite, in jfce character of our candidate for the next PresiJei.t,that h should be opposed to the slave holding r-j'icv, we shall proceed to state some of the rea-

jn, tr.at mnuence our ueiermmauon.

ked what a President can no to abol-

hich is recognized by the U. S. con-

hich is as tenaciously adhered to in

tvera! of the states as the preservation of their po

etical liberty, or their property We answer that the Prt cident may do much; and the prorLE more. One effectual method with the people, w ho are opposed to slave holding, is to do rxi we have recorr:-tLonfi-Let them give a. prfftrcnte in the choice cf a chief magistrate, and other functionaries of the first r ink; let them make slavery unpopular, by checking the ambitious desires of candidates, who mp flare holders, and let such fully understand, th.-.i this shall te a barrier to their promotion, and si.;ill o n see many of thoce who have s do;uentlv drchrued in (avor of the riht to held slave;,a!.d th:it it was not rtpubhean to restrict them, emancipate their slaves; and become the advocates of t -tDHTicip ttiun. The determination not to elect one ofthit character, would induce many of oura-pi-rants 1 1 wash tL ir hands of this foul ftTin, on hu iXauiitv, and the character of (Mir nuion.

I hi answer to hat a President cn do to dimini-h ; ,he exttNtof slavery ? we say just so much n hecan dr. ia ar.y legislative fcabjtct. Ilecnn,nrd thecontitutjcn'ccnjnjaruls that ho lircoairnend to their on-i deration such measures as he may deem necesfs. T, 'ind esptdieiit;1' and that coneross are Lonnd j to ii-i !er it It is not within the prerent compafs lof( ur thoughts to fctate all th sulutarjr rr.e;isurrs

h:it i.erci.-tit recommend, but it is clearly his rov-

isce to ti ci'is.iueiut to cncr s tr.e abolition o! .-in-vcr within the Di.-trift of Columbia; lie may recorjcjcnd to ; rohiLit the migration of flaves fmm or.e st ite to the other or into the territories; he maj rr-rameml to congress to pass the most etficient livtj carry into effect the suppression nf the shive t: .: :e. VVLen any of theae subjects should he reron.rc a 'ed hv thf President conrej:3 would he ncund t j refer it to a comn ittce-. hut, if offered hy an indivi.!.! il member, it might unanimously be refused. In his t xecutire station, the President rony do C'trij mere. As Pre;id( nt, he mieht eater into cot ration with foreign nations for the iuppr ssion r the d ive trade. These mirhf and no doubt worjld cor.tiin many stipulations which would depend ma, h on th favourable bias of the President. That of a qualified n's'ht of search has been conceded to Br:t:-h national vessel?, and however repuenant to our lonjr established doctrines, we believe is necc-

sarv tn an tfectua! suppreision of this trnrnck. It j ss hopn! that some, if not all the remaining nations tfPurope will a;rree to the ame, and every man stealer he treated as a capital convict of all nation. it !n executive appointments a preference to thoe who are opposed to slavery may do more than the pow1 erf d influence of example, A President opposed to slavery wonld not place in custom houses such as J connive at this abominable traffic; n it is said is Dfw done in snrac parts of the Union.

! The example ot'the President would hardly belrss important. Instead of being surrounded with filthy, t'irly naked ignorant domesticks, if he should have i w utr r of the appearance, and demeanor f intelli- , rp"t freemen, the eximple would floubtle'ss haven etrikin? effect, to uch as wouhl visit them from distant parts of the Union, and from foreijn nations. Foreigners, who nt present vi-it our country, and discover our principal oflkeri of stale in this land of equality, holding men and women in the most degrading servitude, may with propriety conclude . that our liberty is like that of the ancient dernocra- ; eyof Laeedemon, where their liberty was valuable I in proportion as their helots, or slaves were increased; and as the free owners tvrannized over thrm

The distinction between a slave holding candidate, and one, who is not, appears of some importance to u although many of our mealy mouthed i tors, who even profess to oppose the former, con8,d!r it censurable ami even criminal to apply it to this case. Fr our p;irt we think it a duty to warn he reor leef the error into which thev have fallen

idvertantlv, perhaps generously, in not giving the

I

acrited reference; though all the state should cry 'Jt STp.iFE, scintM or even tiieaso.v. But we ii"M')w full before whom we pronounce these senwnu. h i-, before the people of Ohio, whoso Le- !", ure !" 18,9 and '20' solved unanimou'h that rivery is a rvnt moral, and political evil", and i!i'it our re- rrnfnfirrX'c ho ;.-. ,1 n r

t-nsion to the territory of the U. S. west of

'!i,sisuppi;' whose Legislature in 1823; '24

its exf

I the

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gentleman who reside near this place, informr"' mt? a short time ago, that he took passage in n "el at Now Orleans fur Europe in the jcar 1021; r-" i that off the Bailee a lar-e slave thin had sev-

'r '1 fcmall vebels employed in landing its cargo of ''imrri nltir T V, r,

1 :':e apprehension of detection by the officers of go-

.TPmcrtt stationed in that quarter. There can be doubt that the waste of Imman life by tho cow iii, starvation, and exposure of different kinds in

ver it wae. Gtratu of tiiJnianfiG'gri. " t""?1'

(From the National Republican.)

THE PRESIDENCY. "lie that vralketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his way shall be known." A few weeks since, our city was honoured with a visit from Mr. Clay: or rather, (in the language of his adherents, who are well aware that they are among a people who cannot admire the indelicacy of ele ctioneering,) "he passed through here, on his way to Columbus." 'Tis possible that may have been his primitive object; for the gentleman may have learned sir.ee hi journey to Columbus, which was pursued thro' Maysville, (the shortest and accustomed route) the truth of the old adage, "that the nearest way is not always the best." Or 'tis probable it may be urged, 'twas business with the agent of the U. S. Bank: 'Tis possible: However, perhaps 'tis immeterial' let them have it: uHe

passed thro1 here on his way to Columbus." And as the question will naturally arise, what took him there? I will endeavour to answer it, but in so doing my readers must bear with me, "for I am a plain bluntman and speak straight on what I do know." Perhaps the admirers of Mr. Clay, are not acquainted with the close alliance which

subsists between him and the U. S. Bank:

Perhaps they do r.ot know the fact, that lie did not oppose the chartering of the pre-; sent Bank, ultno' every reason, every ob

jection which he urged against the old,

should have impelled and excited him to oppose the new and why did he not? Because there exi.t in poor human nature the instinctive faculty of locking to iivlizidual I'cmjiti antecedent to indulging in any of those ger.ercus, patriotic, and ennobling feelings wh h alone give happiness to so-

CJCtV, ti 1 tT r i f V to our tur'. iilopeii-

i detice tu a nation. In muividuals not gov

erned by the strictest integrity, and firmly established principles, thi habit, or rather weaki.r?s, of our nature, becomes a vice formidable and dangerous to virtue, to a nation's welfare, or to any tiling that may cc iii? in contact with it. Mr. Clay was at the time the ouestion relative to the Bank arose, looking forward to the presidential chair. He knew that veclthiras pozzcr. He foresaw with a discerning eye the influence which such an institution would have, and the instrument it might

become, of effecting that which talents and political weight would not.

Turn your eyes over our country and

see whether his calculations were notjust,

whether his suppositions have not been

verified. Already within the short space of 8 years, has its influence extended to almost every corner of our wide spread re

public, and is still rapidly advancing with

a "steady tho' silent step" to the subjuga

tion of our liberties. Does it not at this moment sit like an incubus upon many in

dividuals who otherwise would be opposed to Mr. Clay, and paralyze every energy that could by them be directed against him? In this place, its power is and has been severely felt. Some may be surprised at the assertion, that many of those who are now deeply indebted to the Bank, but

"one nod of this great Caesar" would pros

trate them to a level with the dust, and deprive them of all that power and influence which is so freely exercised for Mr. Clay: for he is the advocate and counsellor of this

pozverful corporation, which is composed ii r !.! - i.i

principally oi weaitny loreigners, ana me influence of which, if its strides to dominion are as rapid as they have been, will soon efface in its career every vestige of Liberty. rTis to advance the interests of this institution, that Mr. Clay went to Columbus. I am as much opposed as any man can be, to exposing in public prints the little foibles of imperfections of those whom ambition, fcelf interest, or any more worthy motive may have induced to offer themselves for public patronage; but in a question of 6o much importance as the present I think every thing should be exposed to the public eye. 'Tis a question which may threaten our very existence as a republic: and shall we pause; shall we be 6ilent when so much is at stake? Because we mav prostrate the schemes of intrigueing

ambition, or offend the delicate feelings of

its supporters? No; where I apprehend

ilsuch danger, I would speak, tho' my words

were lightning and every utterance should J blast the prosperity of the most aspiring mortal. I have seen it blazoned forth in the public papers, and even echoed by ephemeral declaimers, that "there is danger in elevating a military chieftain to the presidential chair." But lean see more danger in the manceuvers of intrigue, and in the combinations of wealth and talents, than in Ml the p!umed hosts" which the world n array against us. As for myself, r shall chuse a man who disdains to ask the aid cf any influence, but that which

his own glorious actions and genuine worth j has given him who stands upon his mer

its; and whose "Solid virtue, "The shot of accident or dart of chance, Can neither craze or pierce."

From the Baltimore Patriot. LAWYERS AND OFFICERS.

W ith many of my fellow citizens. I have

for some years observed and regretted the vast influence which the Lawyers have

obtained in every department of this government. This influence has been gradually increasing, and will continue to increase until it shall obtain the complete control of the EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATURE, and MILLITARY Departments, unless the voice of the teofxe be proclaimed in tones that can, neither be misunderstood nor resisted, 4,thus rAIt SHALT THOU GO, BUT NO FARTHER." Under the Washington administration a proper proportion cf Lawyers were appointed to office; and the number has been increased under every subsequent administration. But the increase has been 60 great under the present government is now monopolised by the profession. The President, all the heads of departments, the Post Master General, the Comptroller of the Treasury, some of the Auditors, many of the accounting officers, the President of the Bank cf the United States, all the Commissioners under Treaties, even to vain slaves, and tn run lines, are Lawyers. The iniioritv of each brancti

of the National Legislature and of each branch of the tate Legislature are Lawyers. So that ours may be emphatically t ailed LAWYER GOVERNMENT. As there is a majority of Lawyers in each branch of the several legislatures, and as it is now that the Lawyers are to ti i 1 all the important oflices, docs it not present a strong temptation unnecessarily to increase the number of officers. The judicial officers, and those connect

ed with the judiciary, and which lawyers only are qualified to fill, would amount to the full share in their administration of the government. The duties of the heads of departments, accounting officers, commissioners &c. are all defined by statutes and treaties and their import may be easily undentood by other than professional men, and who may in other respects be better qualified to serve the public. And if their import can only he understood by lawyers must we attribute their ambiguity to the circumstance of their being made by lawyers. Thus lawyer legislatures may render laws ambiguous, so that none but lawyers shall be able to understand them. This somewhat resembles Cesar's maxim that soldiers were necessary to get money and money was necessary to procure soldiers. The circumstances of one profession having monopolised the oflices, must partly 3rise from the President being of that

profession; and actuated by the spirit of

the corps. I he citizens engaged in other

pursuits, and who from a large majority of

the nation, will not, nor ought not to submit much longer to this monopoly. The lawyers arc to the whole mass of the population as one to one thousand yet this small

j corps is in possesion of nine tenths of all j the profitable oflices! Physicians are more : modest and retireing. Liberally educated

and more numerous than the lawyers, they hold but a small portion of the public offices and but rarely seek appointments save those which more particularly appertain to their profession. It may be deemed an objection to ail the candidates for the Presidency, that they ore, or have been lawyer?, and manifest their favoritism to the same extent the present executive has done. But from the short time that Mr. Adams was at the bar, from his enlarged views, and his practical knowledge of the principles on which a popular government should be administered this objection presses with less force against him than against any of tiie other

candidates ; and I felt persuaded that ivbca elected, his question as to the applicant fc

olhce will not be "is he a lawyer, but is he honest, patriotic, and competant to discharge the duties of the situation whicb he seeks or which friends desjre for himt It may also be remarked that in distribu ting the offices, it is highly probable he will notice the middle states tnore than Mr. Monroe has done. Shall there not be something done, my countryman, to correct "the procedure, in relation to Lawyers? Look at the Na

uonai Legislature and you behold a majority of lawyers. Look at the State Leg- . .... . - o

isiature and you behold a majority of young lawyers. Look through the State or thro' the city, and how few officers will you find of profit or honor, civil or military, that are not filled by this profession! Is it that they are really superior in natural talents and acquirements to the rest of the community, that they are so successful in obtaining appointments, or is it owing to their happy knack of pushing themselves forward? Be this as it may, the law in this country seems to be the great avenue that leads to fame and to office. Unless matters change, he who would wish his son to wear either the laurel or the civid

crown, must have him initiated into all the mysteries and barbarous technicaltieO BLACK LETTER LAW. Let it not be supposed that I ain prcju. diced against the profession far from it: I consider it both useful and honorable, and among its members are some of the firmest pillars that support society. Nor would I wish to exclude them from the Legislature; a few gentlemen of the profession would always be useful there hut I do not wish at any time to see the Legislature composed of a majority of lawyers. I throw out these crude hints for your consideration, my countrymen "I speali as to wise men judge ef what I say. ' BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

a --r-iiti win ura w me eattir conclusion coorcffl ing Mr. Clay's appointment? Lawyer Burnet, Lawyer Hammond, Lawyer Este, Lawyer Wright Lawyer Brush, Lawyer Creighton, Lawyer Swan, Lawyer Paxtcn tmrioubtly do no!, cr we should not see them nil presinpon to tie who can be foromost in doing court to Henry Clay. Indeed, it was a few months ago boasted that all the Lawyers in the state, were for Clay. However some of the second hand, begin to faH'off. no doubt considering their case like" tt at of Jack-tar, whom I once otwried induleinghis waggery in the presence of an in Tni crowd apst-iubieri at the drawing, and enunciation of a Prize ticket of $20,000 While the trentf art were motionless, with breathless anxiety to hear the lucky number, which wn to confirm their wealth for life, break from the eilent lips of the teller, the numerous tar, endeavored to rally their spirit hj chattering "Faith, and I thought there wa soma chance for me, till i come and ee o many aft r it.' Ohio Monitor.

From the Philadelphia Post. Peace Society. Tuesday the 29th ult. being the annual meeting of the Rhode Island Peace Society, the Directors prefented an interesting and luminous Report, referring to a correspondence with the London Society, for the promotion of permanent and Universal Peace, .and to Annual Reports of the different Societies in the U. States. It appears from the communication received from the London Society that the Friends of Peace are rapidly increasing in Europe. Societies auxiliary to the parent Society in London have been formed in England, Scotland and Ireland, and their publications have been translated into dif ferent languages and circulated on the Continent, where they have been received It seems to be a singular fact that many Christians have but recently discovered "that Peace on earth and good will totnen, comprises one of the most essential doctrines of the gospel, and many politicians begin to appreciate the sentiment cf tho poet: War is a game, Which, were the people wise, Kings eould cot play at. We understand that the Baptist Meeting House, in Sansom street, (Staughton's) was sold at SherifTs sale on Monday evening last for three thousand five hundred and fifty dollars, subject to a lien of eight thousand five hundred dollars. The purchaser was John Welsh, Esq. The cost of building this church was from 20 to 40,000 dollars. It is thought a number cf other churches in this city will have topa:3 through the hands of the Sheriff. M :s's Mills, near Frankford, rrcrc sold ai ihc same time for 9,500 dollars.--Vic understand that twenty-eight thousand dollars were a short time ago offered XCJ the property.

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