The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-11-04


Europe since our last
CANDIDATES FOR'THE PRESIDENCY.
In pursuing the course Of examination of the
characters and pretensions of candidates for this
office, commenced in our last, we now proceed
with
WILLIAM III. CRAWFORD.
From an account of this gentleman, lately
published in the Virginia Inquirer one of the pa
pers devoted 10 his cause, we gather that he was
born in the State of Virginia, on the 24th Of Feb
ruary, 1872, Of poor and obscure, but honest and
respectable parents that his father emigrated
TO Georgia, when Mr. Crawford was twelve
years old, and after giving him complete En-
glish education, left him to make his own way in
the world After leaving the roof Of his father
he bent himself to the acquiring OF all the essen
tial elements Of solid and liberal education.
His first occupation was that of a common
schoolmaster in the English language; and after
this he commenced the general study Of the Ian
guages under DIR. Waddc, an instructor OF con-
siderable celebrity at the southwark, for his lit
erarv attainments, and Of high toned political
principles At the end of one year under this
gentleman's tuition, he became connected with
him as an assistant teacher in which situation
he remained till April 1896, having acquired
verv respectabIc acquaintance with the classics
and sciences On leaving DR. Waddle, he went
to Augusts the capital of Georgia, where he OBJ
tanned another situation, an instructor in an
Academy, and at the same time pursued the stu
DIV OF law. which be finished, and entered the
practice in 179S or 1899.
TO this account may be added, from the same
and other sources, that while he was at Angus
ia, he was chairman of committee appointed
TO draft an address to President Adams in I7os.
in which they expressed the most unlimited
confidence in the frmsess, justice, and wisdom
of his administration"
He commenced the practice of the law in the
county of OglethOrpe, and soon acquired very
respectable eminence in bis profession. He was
Immediately returned member of the Iegisla-
ture Of that State and voted for Gen. James
Jackson as Senator to Congress. Soon after this,
originated dispute between him and the pres
ent Governor Clarke, which has since divided
the State of Georgia into parties and be was
engaged in duel with Mr. Van Allen, the soil
citor general of that State, in which his antago-
mist had the misfortune to fall.
He was elected Senator from the State oil
Georgia, and gave his vote against the embargo.
and afterwards in 1911, in favour of the Nation
al Bank. In vindication Of the latter vote, he
made speech of very considerable severity up
on some OF the " democratic editors" who had
censured his conduct on the occasion. He was
elected President of the Senate pro tempore in |
1912 was afterwards appointed by Mr.. Madi-
son, Minister to France, and was a. Paris at the
abdication of Bonaparte in 1915. On his return |
to this country, he was appointed Secretary att
War, and when a successor was TO be selected
to MIR. Madison, he was strongly supported by a |
party IN Congress opposed to MIR Monroe, aud Il
came very near having majority in the caucus.
Il was very certain, however, that be would not
have been elected, If he had been agreed upon
and il was stated by his friends that he declined
tA,oa ~ Al Il
roe he was translated TO the Treasury Since
that circumstance il has been stated without
contradiction, that he had declared to Mr.. Dag
gett, one of the Senators from Connecticut, that
the political distinction between parties in this |
country was extnguished, and that the disorim- /
inaton ought to be abolished.
1t must certainly be concluded from the fore i
going particulars, that Mr.. Crawford possesses.
IN no inconsiderabie degree, the power as we'll
a. disposition TO overcome obstacles" Unaid- /
cd by the sdgenttious advantages Of birth, pat I
ronage Or wealth, he has carved his course from /
q humble condition in private life, to some oil
the most important and elevated Offices Of hon
our and confidence in the country As to the
talents, ability or industry he has manifested in
the discharge Of his political trusts, diversity of
opinion undoubtedly has been entertained and
probably still exists. His Treasury reports have
been animadyerted upon with some severity, 4 \
his financial skill has been considerably ques-
toned. His opinions upon some constitutional
points are said 10 remain in the dark, and bis
scheme Of civilizing the Indians and ameliora-
ting their condition by an intermixture with the
whites, are the only indications he has exhibited
Of his views concerning internal improvement
But, il may be said, after 81 reasonable de-
auctions his deficiencies compel us 10 make, he
Fill yet be found to possess a sufficient share OIL
lifts and attainments 10 enable him 70 discharge
be duties Of chief magistrate with usefulness 10
be people over whom he may be called to pre- 4
de, and advantage 10 his own reputation. II isl
loi iadispensibly necessary in these quiet times,
then our republic Is in the z full tide of success
M experiment" that our executive functiOna-
=, even the highest, should be possessed Of the
Ost exalted endowments The time, when /,
there were giants in our land /" has indeed gone :
ist and our next President cannot be seleced
ON such eminent and 0verawing characters,
Washington, and those whom he called a.
und ham as his cOlnsellors, III the original
imposition Of his administration Yet we are
u permitted 10 doubt that our extensive en-
fe still furnishes an ample number, from whom
selection may be made Of some distinguished i,
iividuai in whose hands we may commit this +
| shly responsible trust. Mr. Crawford i one {
ahe most prominent candidates, and i is IN
cstood that he 5 20 be nominated BY the eau 8,
c which Is expected viii be held al Washing b
is before the conclusion Of the next session OF
Ggsss. u