Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-10-23
THE NEXT PRESIDENT.

we assure the rcaderwe have no intentions
to broacll this subject. Some of the northern
prints have indeed skrmished about tin
consequence ofthc struggle in Georgia. Some
have said, that that contest was really between
Clark and Crawford that Clark had some
time since declared war against Crawford's
pretensions TO the presidency; and that it was
| to promote Crawfords views, Clark was to be
run out, and Troup TO be run in. "On this
hint" some of the papers have spoken and
| among others the Aurora, (of course, i'm direct
opposition to Crawford and to Adams, and in
favor of Clinton.) The Alexandria Gazette
has also had one or two communications on
the subject. The National intelligencer de
precates this early stirring of the question and
the Franklin Gazette, in pursuing the same
strain, has made some very sensible remarks
upon TIT seems indeed, much too early 10
take the field. Mr.. Monroe is scarcely warm
IN his seat ; and we must go about TO ill il a
gam why tins eaSerness for strife and con
tention The election will not take place be-
Tore the autumn of1824. Why prematurclv
throw the ocean into tempest - VVhy cut
up the nation again into contendmg parties ?
why waste the public thought upon men.
when public measures demand it WHY con
NIT the nation ~ favor of particular individu-
ais, when others may start up more worthy
OF the trust nay the very men, who might
now enter the lists. may disqualfy themselves
III the three next years for so high a trust a.? In
the life of some statesmen, three years consti-
-tute most important, and trying proportion.
But the strangest of all the ideas which
nave hitherto been put FORTH is the proposition
OF the Baltimore Federal Gazette, 60 Te-eIecf
.lir Monroe. The editor of that paper regrets
the precedent which was set by =" orr revered
Washington" OF retiring mt the end of eight
years-he contends it is % a rule not authoriz-
ed by the constitution, aud certainly not i'm ac-
cordance with the spirit of IFS other provis-
ions and suggests that as Mr.. Ms 50 re- clcc-
tIon would contribute most essentially to- pro-
mote the general welfare, by preserving the
existing harmony, which n contest between
new candidates would inevitably DESTROY and
1t is universally admitted, that the executive
duties would not be better performed by any
oil those who are named as candidates TO sue
coed him" whether it is not the best course
OF the people of the u. S. 10 rc-elect the pre-
sent President"
This is not the first time so odious propo-
sltion has been made. The same idea was
thrown out in relation to Thomas Jefferson
and urged upon the same grounds viz the
excellent way in which he would administer
the government, the necessity of preserving
the existing harmony" sc. &c.-We opposed
That proposition, even in relation 10 Mr.. JrTcr-
son and we see no reason TO change our con
yictions.-In fact. where will the advocates of
reelection stop Elect James Monroe for
eight years more and the same difficulty viii
again occur: pay, with greater force because
competitors may spring up, in greater mum
bers, and more eager in the cIace. One Of the
best expedlents for abating Che struggle would
he to reduce the term OF Office. Instead OF
eight years, it is best to cut down the officer
to four. Four years are sufficient 10 trust
most men with such rxorbitant powers
Such limitation ought TO have been engraft-
ed into the constitution. Let us not at all g.
vents resclnd the precedent which has been
sanctioned by Washington, and Jefferson, and
! Madison. 1--we cannot conGne the term Ia
years, LET US not extend it beyond eight
We would meet the risl, Of any public agita-
tlon we would put in man, OF less worth
than Cal. Monroe, sooner than OK a principle
which may substantially 80 TO elect Presi-
dent Jor NE.
CASE IN POINT.