Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-07-24
The PRESIDENTIAL QUESTION.

s'i'he suffrage of the wise.
The praise that's worth ambition,i is attain'd
Bysense alone, and dignity of mind
1t is matter of regret. that those writer:
who seem ambitious of breaking lance
ia the field OF politics, should indulge IN
loose and unsupported assertion. Pro.
Tossing partiality for one OF the candi'
dates, and respecting bis virtues and &C.
qnirements. they take it for granted, thai
every other public man who does mol
stand on the same foundation is corrupt
and unworthy of confidence. What with
an earnest style Of writing, with express
siors bearing strong emphasis, and
sundry other Sc offs, they seem resolnts'
~ determined TO advance their own favo'
rite 10 the destruction of all others; not by
iair and open reasoning from facts, bur by
abuse and false accusation.
e. The people Of this country are redect'
ing people; il is seldom that passion or in
trigue gains the victory over them:who ever
shall be made President by their sufrages,
! have little doubt but what they can JUS
tify The preference. OF the candidates
now before the people, MIR. Adams Is my
preference--nvt preference founded up
on geographical distinctions, or personal
knowledge; tor care no. from what quar-
FER of the Union a President is taken,
whether from the "UniOersai Yankee Va
hon" or any southern or western state
buta preference founded upon his public
life, upon his merits; for cannot believe
tha, HE who enjoyed the friendship OF
Washington, and every succeeding Presl.
dent, is wanting either in virtue or talents.
II is true. and with pleasure bear the
testimony, that DIR. Crawford is an able
and an upright man; that be is supported
BY much OF the talent and influence OF the
nation. and that some late affairs are cal
culated to interest the people in his be-
bait. If asked, thes, why not support
him, answer, have my preference and
every honest heart should be satisfied with
the response; bu, If it were worth while,
many objections might be urged against
Mr.. Crawford's being President, not to The
man, but to the principles OF The parry
who suppor, him. Of General Jackson
il is needless 10 speak, the time has Dot
arrived for America to be governed By so
martial spirit Mr.. Calhoun not now
being candidate, will barely remark,
tina ne has done his country some service,
and no doubt many hard things are said Of
him devoid of truth. Mr., Clay is popa-
lar man. and much in the affections OF the
people: but his chances for the Presiden.
ry are no: a: this time fattering.
consider it, then, as clear, that the two
individuals who ultimately will share the
votes of the nation, are John Quincy A.
Hams and William II Crawford. What
then are the objections TO these gentle
men! will not repeat what is suid tor
or against the latter, but conhne myself
e,rictly to the former, and in doing that,
I will not fatigue by going over old
grounds OF accusation; such as the embsr-
20 question, the Louisiana bill, sc. for |
consider the debate as run down on those
points, and the people of this country as
a grand inquest ready TO pass upon the
honesty or dishonesty of the accused.
MY object is to notice, not reply, 10
a few strange charges which have been Ie-
yelled against Dir. Adams latterly, with
malice, a bitterness efhostiiity uueaualled'
and, upon reflection, itdoes seem TO my
mind, that il the friends OF Mr.. Adams sa'o
nothing. and suffered bis opponents to talk
themselves out, that, like some pbe0ome-
ma in the physical world, their conclu'
s;ons. after so much violence. would he
peaceabIe. and quite remote from The
premises. But cannot be silent while a.
bsse like Peiion piled upon Ossa, is
thrown upon an honest mans shoulders: ]
canno. refrain from speaking, when men
strive to put on him poisoned garment,
when they much more justly deserve it
themselves. Il is the fate Of genius, OF
modest merit, to lay dropping and Gold
IN the obscurities OF society, I'LL reused to
animation by the refreshing beams OF a
patronising sun. II is the fate of virtue
TO be prosecuted for acts done in honest
intention. and branded with principles