Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-07-20

patcd sheet of BL1ctioood's .Mugczine for juno,
giving Sketches ofFive Americans, called "Prc-
sidcntial Candidates" butincluding Mr.. Monroe
| who by tho by is not now q candidatc.--The ar
ticlc IS written in the usual flowing style of the
modern English periodical press, and mixes much
truth with some erroneous ingredients.
Confined!
AMERICAN PRESIDENTS.
Mr.. MONROE is a remarkably plain, sensi-
bic man-very honest, and, but for this last
Message of his which is wholly unlike any thing
that he has ever written, or said, or DONE before.
should be inclined TO think of a very prudent,
cold, and phlcgmatic temperament. Yet what
is his administration, but history of the man
! himself-or rathcra biography.
! He is an old fashioned looking man. whose
manner is compound of natural, strong SIM
plicity, and artificial courtesy. He is very
| awkward, and very affable; with a counte-
nance and address SO distinguished for substan-
tial good sense, and downright honesty like
that which we oftentimes meet with in humble
life among the nnejucated, that if YOU should
encounter him accidentally in the company of
! men of the world, without knowing him, YOU
would take him for sensible man, quite unac-
licustomed to snch society, and altogether above
] thefolly and afcctation of initiating them. But
let some one tell you that this sensible uneii1-
Gated man, is no less parsonage than the Pre-
sident Of the United States, and you would be
| likely To discover something almost awful in his
plaInness of manner; something, before whose
quiet rcbui1e the grandeur and beauty of court
ly bearing would fall away, like a.fectation
| Yet it is not so?-Mr. MoyaoE is really
an awkward man, and SO are most of the can
dlJates, at this moment call all awkwa r,i men,
| And yet his acquired courtesy, and sort of
farmer like, or republican cordially, which. be.
ing tempered with much gravity and reserve,
induces you to think that more is meant than
SAID, operate upon those who see him, very like
that insncere, graceful, and fattering manner
which we look for III the European Courtier
and have made it common remark throurbout
| the United States, and particularly in the city
OF w ashington, that an unsuccessful applicant
will come away better satisfied with Mr.. Mon
ROE, than successful one will from MIR. A.
DAMS, the present Secretary of State
Mr.. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, the pre-
sent Secretary of State (premer,) son of the
former President ADAMS, and the third candi-
date, is one of the ablest Statesmen, and most
profound scholars of the age.
Mr.. ADAMS has represented his country at
several European Courts, and it is known that
his influence has been felt and acknowledged in
the most unequivocal manner by that of Rus
sia.
He Is fine bclIcslettres scholar; was lee
turer on Judicial and popular eoauence in
Harvard University New England y and has
published very valuable work on the subject
of Rhetoric and Elocuton.
The writer here states some of The obicc-
tons urged against Mr.. Adams, such as his being
| the son of a former President, having been once
fedcralist, &c.--and censures, with severity
some of the sentiments of AS 4th of july Ora
| ton, while he compliments it as literary pro-
| duction.1
| In ti!nc of peace, Mr.. ApAMs-.yould he
f,aIc l,t0 fS, Al r
his country abroad, than any other of the five
candidates. Literature, aud literary men.
would be more respectable under his admins
tration than they ever have been; and the poll
II Cal negotiation of the country would continue
to be, what it has been, during his occupation
of the Office which he now holds in the Cabinet
--profJnnl, clear, and comprehensive.
Let any one imagine the effect of his pre-
sence and manner upon some foreign Ainbassa-
dor (no matter from what country of Europe he
may have Gomez who should see him for the
FIRST tine as have often seen him. Tie gen.
ticnan from abroad, familiar with the poInp and
circumstance OF Royalty at home, and through
all the courts OF Europe, it may be, and full of
strange misapprchepsion OF republican simpli-
city-iinaginIng it to be what it generally is
either rude and afected--worn for the rratifi-
cation OF the mob--or the natural manner oil
uneddcated people, who are not so much spez
e.,
yet prone TO imitation ncvcrthcIcss-lias pre-
pared, we will suppose, for an introduction TO
the President Of the United States A single
attendant announces him he is usrercd into
the presence chamber, without any ceremony.
into very plain room, furnished not so hand
someiy as IT Is common to see that of a respcc-
table tradesrnan in England.
lie secs little man writing at table, near |
~ bald, with 81 face quite formal and destitute |
of expression; his eyes r0nninr with wafer: |
fingers stained with ink; in warm weather. |
wearing striped seersuclscr coat, and white |
trowscrs; his whole dress, altogether, not
worth a couple Of pounds; or, in colder sea- !
sou, bahitcd in plain blue coat, much tho
worse fnr wear, and other garments in proror- |
ton. This man, whom the Ambassador mis-
takes for clerk Of the department, and only
wonders, in looking at bifn, that thc President
should permit man TO appear before him in
such dress, proves to be the President Of the II
States himself The Strangers pcrplexeI ard
confounded; he hardly knows how 10 behave Ia
ward such parsonage. Bat Others arrive.
one after the otlc-, natives Of different conn
tries, speaking diGercn; 'aaguages. Conyersa-
lion begins.-T'he LITTLE man awakes. His
cCunteJSncC Is orr, .l.r,iIv ;fE.,.,,:.,,,oi -