Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-02-10
Hgshmrtor, Feb. s.
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

STATES, IS an occasion calculated to ava
ken all the interest of which the minds of
freemen are susceptible. It is their high
est attribute /; for on its judiclous exercise
mainly depends the Colour OF their future
political destiny. lis to them q pleasing
duty; for it All rds them the opportuni-
ty of bestowiug the highest mark of their
confidence on him, who has best desc rived
1T at their hands. we Cannot, therefore,
but expect the Presidential election 10 be
an object OF great anxiety with ali the
thinking men IN the nation Of vir,ucus
emulrtion with enlightened patriots and,
we may add, OF speculation and intrigue
with unprncipled or factious men. In
these different views has this question al
ways presented itself heretofore, when the
election was likely TO be contested. We
propose to devote few lines only to the
exposition of our views of this interesting
subject.
In opening this question, two general
principles present themselves, the correct
ness of which. all will admit. The Office
OF President OF the u. States, is one which
It is OF the highest moment to the nation
should be properly filled it ought to be
given to him, then, who is competent, from
his ability and experience in the affairs
OF government, to perform its functions
with advantage To the nation and who,
moreover, can carry with him into Office
tide OF popularity calculated n bear him
through its aruous duties. The Office is
the highest dignity in the nation-it is the
largest bounty in the gift of the people
cit ought to be bestowed on him, there
fore, who untes with ability and in,e-
gritty the highest claims on the confidence,
esteem and gratitude of his fellow-citi-
gems.
Ability, experience, tried fidelity, and
approved patriotism, then, are the quail
ficat,ons which entitle a man to emf
nence and dignity among his fe!low-citi-
zenS; which authorize the friends of him
who possesses them, TO rank him among
the candidates for the Presidency of the
United States.
There are many citizens among US, no
country ever contained within it's bosom
more, who may Justly lay claim to al
these attributes {; and far be from us the
desire to detract from their merits. One
only, however, can be selected from the
many for this elevation. One must be
preferred to the rest. Let the Office be
given to the most worthy. Our preference
is founded on knowledge of the virtues of
the man, and OF the popular opinion in his
favor; and not on any disrespect for
those who have b en- named as his co., peg
itors.
What citizen, then, has greatly merit
ed the suffrage OF his couotly by a seri
OF public services and patriotic sacrifices
from the age of adolescence to the maturi-
~ of years and wisdom Who is he, who
at the age of sixteen took up arms to assert
his country's independence in his man
hood aided in sustaining Republican prin-
ciples in the councils Of the nation. and in
ripper years bent ell the powers of his
mind 10 preserve unimpaired the indepen-
dence he had fought for in his youth p
VINO is he who feshed his maiden sword
II l776. and in 1914 displayed anew all
the energy and spirit Of his boyish days?
WHO'S he, who, from youth to age, has
been found the supporter of Republican
principles, the true and disintercstel friend
OF his country? Who is the man whose
unobtrusive merit envious jealousy has not
obs ured, nor ca!umnious detra ction depre-
ciated in popular estimation? Upon whom,
in word, have the eyes Of the people
been lcng fixed. by the mere force of
his known merit, IS the Republican can
didate for the highest Office in their
gift?
ittiL man - j y IVA IVINJNNiIE,.
But, it is said, this excellent man is
a Nirgini,n; and the two last Pre- sideDts
having been derived from that state. Vir-
ginia has no Claims to the Presidency.
THIS is the only objection we have heard
to Mr.. Monroe, from republican quar-
ter.
The argument of state claims has little
weight with us though, for the sake Of
una0Iaii'y in favor Of him whom the psop,e
have pointed!y preferred. we wish Mr..
Monroe had been native of any state
thai has a bctt cLQim ihen Virginia. -
The broad principle may be here laid
down, that the only clairU Of 4 state OH this
occasion must arise from tn superior po-
l'tical merit Of the CANDIDATE whom She
proposes; and this is the only ground OH
which such claim ought to be spnported.
There are no doubI many honest preiu-
diccs Oh this head but those who declaim
most loudly of state claims, and endeavor
to rouse into action local f. lngs for or
against a particular candidate for the
Presidency, ought most commonly to be
with dstrust. This ciargor il
too frequently the stalking horse, on which
fActious and Interested men would ride in
10 power and advance to honors, TO winch
heir own merits have not been able to ele-
gatc them.
But lowing to the argument Of State
'lains its greatest weight, What sly tn.
Republicans Of other states on this snbipctp |
.Vhat is the language Of the mass Of The
democratic party We are authorize to /
ny that the Republicans Of Mass chuseus |
Nd New Hampshire, with a noble mag |
anlmity, have unanimously determined to |
upDnrt Imes Mnnrnc fnr the prcoid..r,...