The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-09-17

mise that the friends Of Mr. Adams ca
never consent to the full that he ever was
federalist of the legitimate Boston
stamp. He was a man Of more liberal
views; more nearly resembling Mr.. Dex-
ter and Mr.. ]. Lloyd, than MIR. Otis or
the late Mr.. Cabot. He never was vio-
lent partizan, neither was he so intimate
with the great leaders of the federal par
ty as some have intimated. The flimsy
and childish charge, rake6 from the pro-
ceedings Of town meetings, OF his having
presided at nomination of II. g. Otis
Tor congress, so far from shelving the con.
| trary of what assert, bears me out, if
1t be worth any thing: for the moderator
OF public meeting is generally one no,
so much distinguished for warm politics
as responsibility Of character and talents,
as presiding officer OF a popular assembly.
1t he was so heart and hand devoted to
the federal party, why have we no speech
oil his, rousiDg them to active opposition !?
Let it be remembered too, that MIR. Ad.
ans, when elected senator of the u. s.
was opposed by one of the Essex Junto,
& was by no means agreeable to the lead
ing feds of the day. Was Mr.. Adams
the first man in the United States who
had left one party and joined another un-
der the circumstances of the case | should
not wonder at the opposition to him Blu,
is 1t so! Have there not been repeated
instances And were not some of the
most distinguished democrats Of the pre-
sent, once warm federalists? 1t is need,
less 10 mention names; but there is one
spoken OF by certain party for vice
president, whose vulgar and abusive op.
position of Mr.. Jefferson and his mea.
sures is well known. How is it then,
that what is pardona5lc in so many, is
made offensive in Mr.. Adams? Why, il
we are 10 believe his opponents, his ac-
ceptjRg the mission to Russia is trina
taeia evidence of his being bribed, and
that he is corrupt man. Now what
proof have we Of this Does MIR.
Jefferson say so? Does any of those
who composed his cabinet at that
day say so /? Have any of the republican
senators who passed upon his nomination,
said So? No. We are to take the ina.
ginatlons and dreams Of few partisans
OF the federal ranks TO make out the case;
men every way disposed to cast a shade
OF suspicion over his character. But
that great man, who yet lives to see hi>
immortal declaration read with ardor.
saw clearly through these designs; and
satisfied OF the honest conduct of MIR.
Adams, availed himself of his enlighten-
ed mind, and employed him abroad. 1t
is true that the real motive, the deep and
awful secret, if it be one, is locked up in
the bosom Of Mr.. A. and can be known
only to Him who seeth all things. Bu,
IN the name Of common justice let us
| presume man to be guiltless till he is
found otherwise. If we are to question
the purity Of heart in ~ hich men act.
what individual is there that would be
safe from charges IL this is to be the
text, where is he that can say he is safe
from its censures. II is easy to build up
theories; and ii is quite as easy to pull
them down again. But, to pretend to
enter the human heart, and ascertain
what is passing there, is not only absurd
in men, but wicked. I take it then for
granted that we should consider Mr.. Adj
ans as having changed his opinion on
our restrictive measures from consci
entious belief of their expectancy and
their necessity. And, il so, that he stands
equally fair and unimpeachable as any
other candidate for the executive chair
that he is as deserving on the point Of
public services will not be denied and
that he is competent, cannot be uues.
| toned.
Taking dispassionate view of this