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Fellow citizens,
As we deem it the duty of those who present themselves as candidates for office, to reveal to the public their sentiments on important subjects; and as our occupation will necessarily deprive us of the opportunity of verbal communication with you all, we have thought proper to give you, through the medium of a hand bill, a brief and explicit detail of our sentiments, on several subjects, in which we conceive, the interest and the welfare of the community, to be deeply involved.
The occupying claimant law stands prominent on the list of subjects, which have agitated our unfortunate state for several years past. This law, fellow citizens, which has justice for its foundation, being intended to secure to the industrious occupant, a suitable reward for the Labor he has bestowed, on land, which he conceived to be his own, has, as you all know, been declared unconstitutional, and invalid, by the Supreme Court of the United States. By this erroneous and degrading decision, (which, if submitted to, will at once deprive us of the last vestige of our boasted sovereignty), thousands of the citizens of our state, and amongst them many of the early settlers who emigrated in times of difficulty and danger, and who are worn down with toil and exertion for the support of their families, will be robbed, if we may use so harsh an expression, of that to which they are so justly entitled. It is well known to many, that we have long been feeble, but zealous advocates for the most efficient, energetic measures, to counteract this alarming decision, and our great solicitude for the success of the remonstrance and resolutions of the last legislature, which we believed to be of that character, together with the satisfaction, we have so often and so earnestly expressed at their favorable reception in the Congress of the United States, to which honorable body they were addressed, will be ample evidence of our determination to leave nothing undone to sustain this just and equitable law.
The next subject on which we respectfully present to you our sentiments, is the struggle between the judicial and legislative departments of our state government, for power-- the former, as we conceive, grasping at all, and the latter contending for its due proportion. On this subject, fellow citizens,
we will remark, that we are not prepared to
June 28, 1824.
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bow with submission, to any judicial nod-- we cannot consent to prostrate ourselves before the shrine of judicial omnipotence, and humbly inquire what laws shall be enacted, and which shall be repealed-- we claim for the majority of the free and enlightened citizens of this commonwealth, the right to establish any rule for their government, which they believe will promote their prosperity and happiness, and which in their opinion does not conflict with the fundamental laws of the land-- of this we contend that the sovereign people are the exclusive and only judges. We will further remark, that we view the decisions of our courts, declaring some of the long established laws of our country, unconstitutional and void, and reviving, (as they term it, which is but another name for re-enacting,) others which have been repealed, as an encroachment on the prerogative of the Legislature, and a direct blow at the liberty of the people.
The depreciated state of our paper currency is to be regretted by all, and there seems to be no difference of opinion as to the mode of enhancing its value, to continue the present calls, and make no further emissions, we hope, cannot fail to restore confidence in the bank, and to increase the value of the paper; indeed this seems to be all that can be done; to withdraw from circulation immediately, the whole amount of our paper currency, would be attended with the most serious consequences-- our commerce would languish, the surplus productions of our farms would remain on our hands, and the laborer and mechanic, if we may make the distinction, would go without employment; this must be of the inevitable consequence of an inadequate circulating medium.
We cannot help hoping, that with proper management, the Bank of the Commonwealth may be of great utility, but if, on experiment, our anticipations should not be realized, we should be the last to wish its continuance. We have no interest distinct from that of the community, and, acknowledging as we do, the right of instruction in its greatest latitude, we should fill it our duty as representatives, to speak the sentiments of our constituents, & not our own, on all subjects. Should we be honored, fellow citizens, with a majority of your suffrages, we pledge ourselves in the most solemn manner, to guard with parental care, the rights, the interest, and above all, the liberty of the people.
With great respect, &c. &c.
James M. Clarkson,
William Thomas Buckner.
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