Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-05-24
FIX osition.

IOf motives for opposing the nomination
of Mr.. Monroe, for the Office OF Presl-
dent of the United States.
Circumstances have arisen which make
lit proper to explain to the nation, and to
the republican party IN particular, some
of the leading motives which induced
the representatives Of the people, in the
late caucus at Washington, to oppose the
nomination of Mr.. Monroe for the office
of president Of the United States. The
exposition vii! be brief, it is hoped it will
be clear and 10 every impartial mind
it must be satisfactory.
The objection TO Col. Monroe as can
didate for the presidency. was twofeld ;
First, AS it regarded the policy which
presented him for adoption to that high
|station Secondly, AS it respected his
particular qualifications tor the chief na'
Igistracy.
On the irst point, the following ccnsl'
.,lerations, founded upon facts universal
Ily known, seemed irresistibly to pre-
scribe his exclusion. The present con
lstitution has been in operation about q
years during the whole OF which tern
| axcepting four years) the president mas
been from she state of Virginia. his
monopoly of the first post in the govern
,uent. So far from being considered by ths
IVirgimans as an encroaehment on ths
flair claims of the other sections OF tht
Union, has by dexterous sophistry, beer
converted ihto an argument to prove
THAT those who question the proPriety o
Icontinuing power for so long time II
the same hands, are only guided by am
Ibtion, or impelled BY factious motives
as ii the tenacity with which few men
| in that state, cling 10 the presidential
succession, were not in itself an admonl
tory ms ication 10 them of the most ar.
dent and unquenchable thirst for power
Bat thS feature OF local policy, odiou'
las tits, would nave awakened a spirit o
jineignant resistance, had it not eeen ap
parent that IN order to ensure its success:
the whole weight OF the republican party
tfor fifteen, years past, had been a.tfully
wielded to cut OF from popular respec
land estimation, the most distinguished
characters in orher parts of the u. States
10 support this assertion it's only ne
lcessary to recur to few facts within III;
Erecolleetion ard observation Of every
politician who has been on the publ,
istage.
| First, With the view of securing ,h'
presidency 60 YirginiaB, vice presl
|dent for Mr.. Jelferson's second term o
lofice was selected from N. York, Of al
Iage too advanced to render il probabi,
That he w0uld be chosen to the chief ma
Isistraey; but by rendering him the mos
Iprominent character, it formed an insu
lperable barrier to the pretensions of othe
DISTINGUISHED men in that state. Tn,
lclaims Of The older Clinton were accor
ldingly superseded by those Of Mr.. Mad
lson--sare was taken that this circuB
lstabce should not be overlooked at Ii,
leritiCal moment, and Mir. Jefferson, a
Ibout to retire from oaice. in answer f
an address from tie legislature .
maryland. aslu Ell to it in terms too la
'iiag TO be mistaken. The same polic,
WAS asala adopted in the selection Of NJ
! Jerry from Mas chusetts.
he vice president Of the U. State
should be possessed of every qualifca
Ition 80 discharge the important dutie
(which would deyolse on him, in the e
yent OF the death OF the president-an,
lwhen il is taken into consideration tina
lmereiy 10 secure tie Virginian succession
tine best iRtelests OF the country are ieo
Ipardized, by calling men to that offic
whO are supernuauated, and past the dis
! Icharse of important functions. it cannc
4 TOUT be viewed by the people it dis
isust If net With indignation.
Secondly, about the same period I'll
Estate Of New York brought Gen. Arm
: lstrong into public notice. He had bee
Ia senator in congress from that common
wealth. His genius was feared. H
was taken offby foreign embassy. Fl
diplomatic career in France was marke
10y spirit and abiiity--snd at his retur
ae became popular in the United State
lie accepted seat in the cabinet, at
thine Of great difficulty y responsible
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