Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-02-01

! it seem necessary. -
A REPUBLICAN VOTER.
| PROM rnI RICHMOND Enquirer.
sTArE OF PARTIES AT WASH
INGTON.
WASHINGTON, Jan. &c, 1898 You
ask me for sketch OF the present state
Of parties in Washington, that is, OF those
, particular circumstances which can only
be known by actual observation, but oil
which neither the newspapers nor the pub
| lie proceeding afford any certain iDforma-
! ton.
The secret springs which move those
who appear to move every thing else. are
not only often unknown to the public, but
are sometimes concealed from The very
witnesses OF the scene Of action. The or,
din,ry ;roops-tbe gems d. armer,e, of po-
litical warfare obey orders and perform
their pert in the evolutions of the day,
! wiihou' knowing the deliberations 81 the
council OF war which directed the plan OF
operations: and even those who sit al the
| board. are often totally ignorant how much
the opinions there given, are dictated by
personal Jealousy, by the vanity OF being
first mover or suggester. by the pride OF
consistency-to say nothing Of that hume.
rous class who ia the political camp, still
more than 10 the military, are always Cal
culatisg the profits OF treaehery, and rea
dy 10 change sides Whenever victory
seems TO smile on their sdver. aries.-
With these inherent difficulties and my
limited means ofof observation, ! can OF.
fer you little more than conjectures =; con-
lectures too, which, however correct at
the time they are made. are rot likely 10
continue so for month together. Refined
specU.ations ON the character and move.
nents Of parties are little TO be relied OH
IN this stage OF their formation. Affected
somev hat by the position # the observer,
they sp, ear to no two men The same; and,
like the light clouds OF summer sky, ere
Won can trace their outline, they assume a
new shape. | cannot therefore, add much
to your stock OF accurate know'edg-. br',
as il may afford you some amusement, and
I am in VEN for scribb!ing. will esdea-
vor to give you what appear Ia be the pre-
vailing Opinions and feelings here,oH what
is the Chief and almost only ground OF par
~ divisions at present, the next pIesiden-
tial election.
The most prominent candidates are Mr..
Crawford, Mr.. Adams and MIR. Clay. all OF
whom will probably receive the suifera-
ges OF their own, and OF the contiguous
state. Mr.. Clay those Of Kentucky, Mis-
souri,, illinois, Indiana, Ohio anc part OF
Tennessee. Mr.. Crawford of Delaw are
and he states south. Mr. Adams the six
New England states. But these great sec
tons are far from being unanimous. In
| Maine, Mr. Crawford has many friends OIL
great influence. and little Jealousy Ut the
maternal influence Of Massa ehuselts iRcrea
ses this disafection. The same thing !.
true, in les degree, of Vermont But
as the contest WAKES warmer. local synpa'
thies and pride will overcome mere per
sonal preferences, and these little r'l''
will lutte with, and be borne away in one
great torrent (Io use vile new laughed
word) OF sectional feeling. la like man
ner, Mr.. Crawford has many active and
bitter enemies in the state of Georgis, and
by reason of the rival candidate tom 5
Carolina, it would seem as il be would
DOT obtain The vote of that stale. But ,
| Carolina will not he viking TO lose her
weight in the election, and probably in the
cad, will coalesce with her neighbOrs anc
friends, aud vote for Mr.. Crawford. 2or
may think that Mr.. Clay is not SO likely
TO unite all The votes ct the west. But /
be has the warm support OF msjar'tles !:
those western states which appear'o be no"
in his favor.i, will give bin great adyan age
either in caucus, or IN the event OF the e.
, lection dev0lviny on the house OF Repre-
! s.ntatives. We know that the gen,IeEet
from that section Of our coGatrS, have
great energy ana declsion OF character
and tina, he is himself expert in the arts o.
winning personal favor: bn, il must aiSs
be remembered, that there will be severa
| individuals in the next congress from thos'
| very states, which are favorable to him
who have preference ter some OF the o.
ther candidates.
| Mr. Adam. IS supported by the close
phalans OF New England He has also "
bis favor men OF talents aud influence die
persed throughout the whole Union, who
wish bis election, either aec ause they have
been ,nsensibiy won over by those wri
tings in winch he has ingenlously and a.
| bly, indicated the nations rights. or hl'
own repu,ation---or for the sake OF har'
nony and cancellation thinking ! pre-.
sumo that it is cow time for The Sun him.
self 10 revisit those regions which tor
long interval have been illuminated only
by the northern lights of ministers, secre
taries and cbairnen Of committees. There
I are many of this description both in Virgi,
/ MIA anil North Carolina, but like the gold
| in the latter state, tho you may here anc