Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-09-28
THE NEXT PRESIDENT

Qe0t Is now dSltateu by Tue PooSs ~ 80
uurh earnsstness as il the election were
speedily approaching. Never before could
a conjecture as to the result have been form
.Jwith so little probability; never before
have so many candidates been announced;
and never before perhaps was the mass OF
sbiity among them less. The only enc oil
the present competitors who has served
long apprenticeship in politicks. and passed
regularly through subordinate othces. before
be aimed al the highest is Mr.. Adams, the
Secretary Of State. This circumstance ad-
ded to bis literary reputation, (which though
mol altogether undeserved certainly exceeds
mis- merits) and to his nativity in northern
state, gives him many advantages over his
rivals.
Mr.. Crawford, who at present seems TO be
Mr.. Atams's NEST formidable rival, has not
like him the advantages Of a regular political
education; although he has filled some
important stations in publiCk life: but to
compensate this inferiority, he has the re-
great probity and candour. His habits OF
business are equally assiduous with those OF
Mr. Adams; his capacity OF doing much in a
ilt!se time is far more remarkable; and in the
respects of consistency y disinterestedness
bis character furnishes matter not Of compa-
rison but OF contrast with that of the other.
The claims OF Mr.. Adams have on the
whole been injured by his address,,
which, to borrow vulgar phrase, was too
obvious "{un.6ug" TO gain sredence with
rejecting men. Its late in the south IS pre-
cisely what we expected, but we confess
our prophetical spirit TO be a, fault, when
we observe the structures OF ii IN the north.
.ern papers: Whether the CRITICISMS OF the
Boston Daily Advertiser express the unblas-
sed opinions OF their authors, or proceed
from the heart burhings with which Messrs
Quincy. Lowell, {. Co. regard every deser.
Ter from orthodoxy, is entirely immaterial.
The substance OF them is just what it should
be. and Mr.. WaIsb's remarks IN them are
Perfectly consistent with his selhshness,
segoti.n and political vsnaihy.
Shouts The 6eid be abandoned TO the two
81 .retaries, Mr. Adams, 1t we judge from
present Appearances, nay obtain large
.m.jority OF votes IN the Eastern States, very
few IN those South Of Delaware, and hot
many in the West; Maine would probably
be nearly unanimous against him; Pennsyl-
yania would be divided. as also would be
Teuueeses. in both these latter states a
msjoriiy may be expected for MIR Craw-
ford.
In Georgis, Mr.. Crawfor2s own state, lie
would meet with more opposition than.in
any other Southern State; aud there seems
every reason TO suppose that in this section
of the county, the latter would obtain ma.
iorisY more han snfsc,enf TO ceuoserbalance
that of his rival to the norlh. Blu, suppose
that be, de these gentlemen, Messrs King,
Clinton, Calhoun and Clay should urge their
respective professions and succeed so tar as
10 preclude either of the Secretaries OF any
OF themselves from a Constitutional majority
OF sutfra ages; would it be improbable that
when the House OF Representatives came TO
de, ide { as in such case the constitution re-
aIres them to do parties, unable 10 re-
cunc,le their conflicting claims, should COM
pr,mise by taking Mr.. K,"g for four years?
Like The Roman Cardinals, they might Sc
lect chief. whose age might open speedy
Prospect OF another vacancy. Dnies- some
such crisis should occur, or unless Mr.. King
with he aid OF tSe BuCktails should be elect
Ell Governor of New York his success seems
no:..very probable II indeed the conlingen.
cy which we have just suggested should
happen, and Mr King thus uni:e New York
iB his favor, the other northern states would
perhaps deem his claims stronger than those
of Nr Adams, and support hin against the
heid.
In this state of things, we cannot help
foretelling 10 Mr. King more respectable
interest in the south ami Hest than, under
any circumstances, Mr., Adams could pro-
cue. The slave holding states will not per-
haps be very earnest 10 support Of the great
defender OF restriction, and consistent men
every where would disapprove his Bucktail
experiments But when the parallel in
these particulars comes to be drawn between
Mr. King aud Mr.. Adams, there would be
found in The latter far more absolute de-
sertion OF principles aud disregard of ap-