The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-10-10
For the Alexandria Herald.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

the land marks and guide posts of
nation. AS the prosperity of individuals
is connected with the integrity of their
rulers, and the welfare of people is
deeply involved 10 their conduct, right
to examine the pretensiens Of solicitors |
for publick favour has been granted by |
universal consent. A rigid examination
of their qualifications forros the surest
touchstone Of merit, and the voter when
he is about To use his elective franchise
Is at liberty to scrutinize the Claims Of
the person who demands his vote. The
press is the medium through which this
scrutiny, with proper management, msy
be undertaken. From conflicts of opi-
mon truth must inevitably emanate. Va
rious charges have been made against the
competitors for the chief msgis;racy Of
the union. With what earnestness they
have been asserted or with what success
maintained, will be settled by the trial of
that important issue which fixes the
next incumbent in the presidential chair.
That tranquility may pervade the bosoms
of the electors, and that their choice may
rebound 10 the gloIy, honor and perma-
nence OF this republic, is wish conso-
pant with every generous and virtuous
feeling. II the views which are pre-
scented on this great subject should prove
to be false, the deception will be discover
ed, and clouds of error viii be scattered
BY the all piercing and overpowering
beams Of reason. Independent Of the
manifold weigh,y arguments which
have been adduced, against the northern
candidate, | shall, at this time, content
myself with urging one, which deem
essentially destructive to all his claims to
the high office after which he aspires.
ipthe controversy regarding the pre-.
tensions ofthe several candidates 10 the
chief magistrscy, an allegation has been
slightly touched, yet not examined with
any degree oil satisfaction. allude to
the abandonment of his party by Mr.
Adams. The secretary was at that time
esentH'iVe nf one of the first COM
'ierciai states of the union, in the senate
Vi 'he United States. He had been do
leea'ed thiiher by peonIo had always
'oaerdl prtReir navigating and shipping
interests with the utmost jealousy aud
care. Till this period he had been lore
most in the federal ranks, and was re-
marked for the same adroitness and pro
found intellect which he has lately exhi-
bited. That his native state had select.
CD him (with particular reference 10 pc
liticks,) as one of her most conspicuous
citizens to represent her in the councils |
OF the nation, cannot be denied. Fede
raj influence at that time was feeble, and
1t was obvious that the highest talenis,and
the most unspotted integrity would be !
enlisted in espousing stale interests
Probably no person bore more distin- |
sulshed station in the eyes of The people
at large than Mr.. A. and Mr.. Pickering.
They were considered the dauntless
champions OF federalism, and most stre-
nuous advocate of commerce. AT this
period, too, the world had been convuls
ed BY long and bloody war among the
powers OF Europe. The United States
had the principal carrying trade and re
mole from scenes Of devastation, were
resPlog The fruits Of hazardous, though
profitable, enterprise. Ii could not
have been loresecD by any state whose
pnDcipai support was Commerce, that it
was III the contemplation OF the execu-
tive 10 propose any plan hostile to its vel.
fare. such step was uDquestionably
injurious to the rights and interests of
the great state of Massachusetts. Watch.
fUl as she had always been in this re.
;pects she felt confident that her agents
were men of acknowledged talents and
undoubtedly federal doctrines. With (
such seniinels at their posts she might I
1age slept souDdiy, satisfied that she had /
rusted her protection to able and pa,rio- ,