Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-03-05
From the Nashville Wing.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

hEoADGN lAL LLESl 1ON.
We have read several numbers, pub,
lished sometime since, in the Frankfort
argus, upon the subject Of the Presiden-
tial Election, which, il is to be feared,
are too much calculated to create and
int1ame geographical distinctions in the
United States. The writer endcayors to
prove, that the Hest is entitled to the
next President, on the ground of its ex-
tensive wealth and productions, its po-
pulatlon, and the circumstance of our
having enjoyed but small siare Of those
offices and appointments within the gift
and distribution of the general govern
men,. He also states, that very insig-
niicant portion Of the public money, app
propriated for internal Improvements
and the defence of the nation, has been
expended in the West. From these con-
siderations, combined with the fact, that
the south and east have furnished the
Presidents and Vice Presidents, ever
since the general government was Or
ganized, the above writer concludes, that
a western candidate should be preferred,
where he is known to possess equal Ia
Tents and integrity with his competitors.
To the cogency of these arguments
we cannot give our consent, in extenso,
inasmuch as VIC are OF the opinion, that
they would lead to pernicious conse-
quences. Although we feel every par
TALLY for the Wess, we cannot but de-
muir to the proposition, that sectional
considerations should have any control
over the transaction. II the resources
and population CT the West preponderate
over those of other sections Of the union,
aDd they are united in favor OF parsicu-
lar candidate, we have 10 doubt but that
he will be mace he President of the
Uoited States.--Should his pgetensions
be prcdlcated upon merit, we shall be
proud to witness an event, SO fatterinG
10 our countrymen. And we do not en-
terrain the least question, that individuals
may be selected in the West, whose ta-
Tents and integrity entite them to any
office in the gift of the people. Although
Young III years, we possess command
ing reputation for intellectual proves
and republican simplicity, and could, We
believe, furnish candidate, that would
vie with those from any o.her part of the
United States, in allthe qualifications ne
cessary for that station. Upon the princi-
pie OF equal or SUPERIOR pretensions, are
we in favor Of supporting a western candi-
date for the Presidency, and not up
on calculations of popular and CONNER
cial importance, sc. We agree with the
writer in the Arg-s, as 10 the act TO be
done; but differ with him, in regard 10
the reasons by which we should be inf1u-
epcet, Oh the occasionally ere the doc
trinc advocated by this writer once admit
ted, it app ears to us, that it would open
the door to the most bitter and endless
disputes, ir balancing the professions of
rival candidates. In consequence OF
more familiar acquaintance and other
sources of partially, every section Of the
republic would insist on the. superiority
Of its own fayorite. And the distribus
ton of Offices, and the appropriation Of
the public treasure, were resorted to as
rule, it would prove equally pregnant
with heat and contention.
In the disposition of the public funds,
they ought certaialy to be appropriated
where they are most wanted, and where,
consequently, they would be produc~
tive of the greatest utility. This course
is dictated by the solid interests of the
whole nation. If ships are built for the
protection OF commerce, the welfare Of
every portion of the union is promoted,
in proportion to their commercial i'm
por,ance--the West and South, as we'll
as the East. AS commerce and agricul-
ture are landmarks OF each other, the
interior states, as well as those upon the
seaboarj, are e,ninently benefited by the
protection. So far as they are employed
10 defend the seaport towns, they arc
considered the most efficient means which
can be devised, and are substituted for
those, which every part OF our common
country would be bound to contribute,
had no such expenditure been made. 1t
must also be recollected, that those
places in the United States, where such
appropriations have been most literally
made, are most exposed to the horrors
and calamities Of those wars in which VIC
may be engaged for the common defence.