The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-11-13
THE NEXT PRESIDENT

1t was thought that the early discussion Of
the subject of HE nert President. would. ere
this, have subsidized but it is now evident that
contest has commenced which will be ter
minated only by the choice of successor to
Mr.. Munroe. Appearances indicate that the
contest will be decided upon other grounds
than that personal merit. Were the people
left to the expression of their unbiased senti-
ments, we have little doubt John Quincy Adj
ans would be designated by their suffrages.-
His qualifications, if talents and publick SER
vices are qualifications, are so obviously great
er than those of the other candidates. that a
disinterested tribunal could not fail to decide,
in his favour. But then, unfortunately for
him, he is New=England man; and the poll.
iticaps OF The South can hardly be persuaded
to give him their support. So far, too, as
former party divisions may influence the cleo
ton, he is unfortunately situated for If Fed
eralists, as party, were TO look for any adj
vantage from the election, they acould not look
TO HIM; and in the DemocratiCk party. to
which he has rendered more efficient service
than almost any other individual, it is already
discussed whetherh he is to be trusted by them.
If we had any party feelings upon this cues
ton, we should not be sorry that he is SO stu
ated. But we have none and we should re-
gret to have this impor,a ant election affected
by former party dissensions.
We ho ram rlyod tl,aA
cate that personal merit will not decide the
contest. Already does Mr.. Crawford find sup
porters in New-England. The loading politi-
clans of Maine are said to be pledged to him
with the expectation, if he succeeds, that
Gen. King is to be Secretary of the Navy. In
New-liampshire, the principal democratick
journal, the N. II. Patriot, is obviously in his
interest; and is labourng, diligently, to pre-
vent any expression Of the publck sentiment,
until measures can be matured which shall Sc
cure to him the votes of that State. In Con-
necticut there are similar indications.
Now, no man in Maine, or New-H HAMPSHIRE,
or Connecticut, will venture to stand forth ahd
say to the people Of those States that MIR.
Crawford is entitled, either by talents, or pub
lick services, or principles, to their supper for
the highest Office in this Republick. He is
now Secretary Of the Treasury but so badly
managed is that Department, that little conf
dence is placed in his official statements
Every year brings to light errors of the pre-
ceding and in the mean time the finances Of
the country are becoming worse and worse.
Whether there is want Of capacity or of fdel- !
ity, the consequences are equally injurious.
At any rate, his official reputation is against
him rather than in his favour and we shall
look elsewhere in vain for any evidence Of his
character as Statesman. Indeed, but for
his notoriety as duellist. and his celebrity for
having accumulated vast amount Of SC una
valuable funds" in the Western country, the
people, without the help of his partizans,
would scarcely have learned his name.
Personal merit, therefore, does not find Mr..
Crawford partRans; and il he receives any