Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1815-01-21

~ nat 1ufs StUVN - "a. 3
.ea,iv II these States, Is amply sllii !.
e;ent i, reuder this nation e d,'e
.;a.e sn:ficiestly great and powerful
\ not !, ccnlrovertihle question:
sNo- xiIl It be seriously pretended,
hat the national deficiency IN Wis.
s..o,n. arts, science. arms. or virtue,
needs to he replenis!icd from foreign
countries. Sill, il is agreed, tl,ata
liberal policy should offer The rights
Of hospitality, and the choice Of set
tlement, to those whoarc disposed 70
visit tho ,ry.-But Why admit to
participation in the government,
:,l;epsswl.o were no parties to tie
con, t,aet-wl,o are ignorant OF the
nature Of our institutions. anil have
no stake I'M the welfare ef.the conn-
try. but what is recentand traRs!sa-
~ 1t is surely a privilege suit :
Gent, to admit them after due proha
ton 10 become citizens. Tor all but
political purposes 10 extend i be-
yond these limits, is to encourage 10
rei..ners to genre 10 these states as
candidates Tor prcierRicnt. The
Convention for!sear 80 ~xarcss their
oeiaion upon the inaaspicions effects
which have already resulted TO the
honor and peace oi'tllis nation. from
this misplaced and inaiscrininate IL
beraiity.
The last amendment respects the
limitation ofthe Office Of President.
to a constitutional term, and his eli
gibili.y from the same state two
terms in succession.
Upon this topic it is superiluons to
dila,e. The love Of poweris prin
ciple in the human heart which too
often impels 10 the use efali praeti
cable meaas to prolong itsdnratioa.
The office of President has charms
and attractions which operate as
powerful incentives 10 this passion.
The first and most natural cxertion
Of vast patronage is directed to-
wards the security, ola new election.
Tbs interest Of the country. the well
fare Of the people. even honest fame
and respect for the opinion OF poste
rity are secondary considerations.
All the engines OF intrigue : all the
means Of eorrup'ion. are likely to b.
employed for this Object. A Presi-
dent whose poiiticalcareer is limited
to single election may iiad no other
interest than will be promoted hy
making il glorious TO himse!f& hene-
fetal 10 his country. But tue hope
Of re, eleetiea is prolific Of tempta
tions. under which these magaani
nous motives are deprived OF their
prineipsl force. The repeated cleo.
ton Of the President of the United
States from any one state. affords in
placements and means for intrigue
which tend TO create an undue local
influence. and toestab,ish the domi
nation ofparticuIar states. The jus
tice therefore Of securing to every
state a air aad equal chance for the
election Of this officer from its own
citizens is apparent, and this object
will he essentially promoted by pre-
venting an election from the saue
state twice in succession.
Such is the general view which
this convention has thought proper
! to submit Of the, situation OF
these states, Of their dangers and
their duties. Most of the Subjects
whiph il embraces have separately
received an ample and luminous m
yestigatioa, by the great and able
asserters of the rights of their coun.
/ try. in the National Legislature; and
nothing more could be attempted OF
| this occasion, than digest OF gene
raj principles, and of recommends
lions, suited to the present state Of
puhIic affairs. The peculiar Difficult
~ and delicacy Of performing. even
this undertaking will he appreciated
by all who thisk seriously upon the
crisis. Negotiations for Peace. are
at this hour supposed to be pending,
the issue Of which must be deeply in
teresting TO all. No measures should
be adapted. which might unfavora
hIv afH3;..tp that iSSue none which