Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1812-11-02
Ma. SHIRLEY,

GaZettes, we have read with much sat
isfaction and political improvement, the
columns Of the Boston Weekly Mes
senger"--a paper conducted with such
cahdor and intelligence, as has rarely
been exceeded an this or any other
Country-Notwithstanding the general
character of this paper we are persuad'
ed, that some OF its managers, of excel
lent genius and fine fancy, have not ar
rived at that maturity of political sagac.
ity-which renders it safe to station
them at the wheel, unadvt8edty to steer
their trick. Especially at tims too,
when the aspectao of the political horizon
Portends tempest and. destruction.
A strong evidence, not OF incapacity,
but of indiscretion and want of nudge
nent, and we may add correct knowl-
edge of character appeared in four col
umns OF this paper under the editorial
head the 23d Of last month, on the mo-
meutous question OF " The Presidential
Election"
Whether Mr.. Clinton is the most
suitable parsonage in all respects and
qualifications TO govern these United
States, is not the question. But it is
this, whether he is not the most proper
and suitable person who can or may be
Elected to that high Office in opposition
to the inert and feeble Madison-who
is fast declining with all political par
ties-those only excepted who are the
peculiar objects OF his care and favor
1t is executive patronage only which
can secure to him for the coming four
years the chair of State, and Q 900 dol
lars to move its pordrous wheels--not
the signal and meretorious services he
has rendered his Country.-On the 9TH
er hand it is the voice of people conf
ned to no particular party-but disaffec-
ted with their present chief, which
must and will eXalt Clinton Be il so
and let all genuine Republicans say,
Amen For the common good, have
the FederalistS in degree given up the
field, and demanded cessation of hos
tililics--By the friends of honorable
peace, or vigorous war among the Gin
tonian Democrats they have been net
nearly half way-Those united will
presently compose a large majority,
sufficient unlike Madison's Generals
to look down all opposition. I'm
moment of candor, the author Of the
essay acknowledged, that no imputa.
ton against the friUate character Of
Mr.. Clinton could be urged"-and yet
he considers" the personal character"
Of the Presidenta circumstance of great,
but as he apprehends Of minor iSHlor.
lance. Really, can this be so--does our
young friend mean this in gravity p
Can he make Washington ola man
Gfloo5e character I'm our humble APP
prehension of the subject he will be
more likely to produce Nero, or
Bonaparte. Since we have men of
great talents and good personal charac.
ters--why not according to old fashion
ed moral usage, rank goodness, before
greatness. The very essence of good
ruler is always to be found in his private
character But we are willing 10 go
much further in praise Of Mr.. Clinton,
and not merely affirm that he is gen
tleman OF excellent private character
but that his integrity s ability in public
life, have secured TO him the approba-
ton Of a whole state, and in many in.
stances the applause even of his Politi
cal opponents Granting his political
integrity, he stands pledged to his more
immediate constituents in the state of
New-York, if elected to the Presiden-
tial chair To obtain an honorable peace