Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-03-23
From the .qia5umn Reou5,;oo.

Presidential Electon-The great era of M.
hdcai discussion begins to dawn. We have al.
ready seen the splendid names of adams. C,o,,-
ford, Calhoun, Jackson, and Clay, put in motion
10 rharch forward to the ~stupendous contest.
whose issue will exalt the successful candidates
to the highest Office in the gift of fee peonle,
Notwithstanding the great admiration which 7
feel Tor the abilities of Crawford, Calhoun. Jack.
son, and Clay, / am warranted in sayins- tb.t
ADAMS IS In the possession of talents sunerior ~
them all. The splendour of his genius the
coruscations OF his wit his profound and diplo.
matic SIKH, richly cntitie him to the independent
sntfraees OF great and respectable nation. Mr.
Adams has been prosecuted with all tho dotes,.
bic rancour OF envy and malice. The accura.
cy Oh his knowledge; the perspicuity ofhis STYLE.
the moderation of his temper; 6 the irrey;sf;bla
energy OF his reasoning powers, render him ,be
aniest advocate that ever appeared in the cause
ct truth and liberty. Patient and perseycr;nr
tclhPefa'e ana hrm, no error escapes his vinii-
ance; no calumny provokes his passions. r,
expose the ISLANDERS and absurdities of bic 81
yersarles, is the only revenge which he will con-
descend to take for their insolent inycctives c.
rene IN the midst of clamours, he exbib;ts -.
arguments OF his opponents in their reuuine 90.
lours; he dIsests them of the tinsel of declama.
uon, and the cobwe5s of sophistry; he detects
tue host Piansioie errors; he exposes the most
latent absurdities; he holds the "mirror unp In
folly, and reasons upon every subject With ,he
readiness OF intuition, and the certainty of dc.
monstrabon. Elevated above the passions. be
Is never transported into any excess by The
zeal OF his friends, or the yirulence of his ono
mics. His object is the happiness of the peonlc
ms means economy, liberty, and peace; l.a
guide the constitution. The sympalilics which,
iascmate the heart and mislead the understand
'ng' have never allured him from the arIpons
pursuits of truth, throughout her most in,ric,te
mazes. Never animated by the impet,oi,s and
turbulent feelings which agi;ate popular asser,.
oiles, he preserves in the midst of contcnii,,n nan.
ties, tpat GOODNESS of temper, and that accuracy
OF thought, which philosophy has hitherto claim.
ed as the peculiar attribute of her closet ,ncn;-
tatlons. lie unites to the energy of cleoauence
aad the confidence of integrity, the precision Of
mathematics, the method of logic, and the
treasure of experience. His opponents SANDER
HIM, and admire him-they assaiI him with irno-
rant ImPertinence, and pitiiess ma lice, and vet
they feel that he is the darling of philosophy.
the apostle of truth, and the farourite yo;ary oe
liberty. Their hatred, like the rebejIien rs
satan; proceeds from the Impotence of any s,,
perioI1ty. There is a daily beauty in bds life
which makes them look ugly instead of imi.
tatlng his excellence, they attempt to conceal n
by a mass of ~obloquy; instead of reyerenc;nr
his unparalleled wisdom and virtue. tbev sb.rn,
en- the dagger of falsehood, and prepare the uoi-
soned arrows of envy. But they NAV sav what
they will about him, the enlightened and nat-
r1o'Ic citizens of this fourishing Republic viii
ere long have the extreme qualification of seeing
him raised bya splendid s~rajority to The A;eAess
o9gcs Of state