Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-10-27
[FOr the sMa,,aehuset,s Spy.1

\ 10 De ueCIued; ana while one faction and an
other are rising up, and proclaiming their Ea-
rOurlte, and expressing their partialitles and
resolutions, it is to be feared we manifest too
much apathy and inactivity OH this very in
'teresting subject. Direful portents appear in
many quarters, and there arc not wanting
restless and ambitious spirits 10 bring on uni
versal discord and distraction. Some in their
incorporate zeal against means lose sight Of
the end, while others cloak their real designs,
and would have US imagine, for the present,
that all their hustle and commotion, indefati-
gable efforts, and flaming srdour, were pro-
duced by their hostility to General Ticket or
pledged Electors. No dispasslonate man, how
ever, will believe that these are the causes OF
such mighty stir and ceaseless opposition.
1t is granted there is something Objectionable
and to be regretted in the mode Of designating
the Candidates for Electors; but as the act to
be performed is ministerial, we ought as disin-
terested patriots, to be satisfied, Gin the Pc
culiar state Of aAairs( if the desired result can
be secured. We may"b be too fastidious and
infammabIe, and shewa disproportionate con-
Germ about the instrument Of the execution Of
our ill,and eventually lose the gift by hyper
cTatacat objections to the medium of convey
ance. If We love our country, will not these
peccadilos be venialand forgotten, when we
are called on to exercise our highest and most
precious prerogative in electing Chief Mag
istrate for our Nation? Little patriotism and
sense OF moral obligation would he possess,
who, on account of trivial fault, and when.
it was too late to find remedy, would volun-
tariy stand in the way of the promotion of the
most worthy and iiiustrious candidate, when
this Candidate had no agency IN, or control
over, the adopted methods and movements of
his friends. In the performance of imperious
and momentous duties, how often must we
make some sacrifice Of private opinion and con-
venience IN order to accommodate ourselves
to the unyielding predictions and biasies of
our associates, who, by numbers or SUPERIOR
discernment, claim the right of determining
the mode in which our &C ions shall be exhib-
tied. There is self-denial to be exercised in
the discharge of ciril and political duties as
well as in moral and religious obligations.
We have solemn and indispensable duty to
perform, and little displeasure at some pro-
ceedinsS, and petty dslikes TO the proposed
candidate will not justify us, as freemen or
Christians, in foregoing our privilege, and
looking as mere spectators on this lament
able struggle and competition for the highest
ofilce in your power 10 bestow. You must all
to the polls and cote, and uole for that Candi-
date most deserving your esteem and conf
dence. lfthere is no perfect man presented
for your suffrases, there is one more perfect
and trustworthy than the others, and for him
| 1t is your duty to use your influence. That
man, III our sober Judgment. is John Quincy
.ddanes. His talents and requirements as a
civilian and diplomatist are unquestionably
oil an exalted grade. No doubt his moral
character, his habits of official business-his
PRACTICAL experience-his knowledge of our
domestic interests and foreign relations, and
the politics of European Courts, and his gen.
eral qualifications for the Presidency are far
] suPerlour to Mr.. Crawford's, or any other
mentioned Candidate. What are the mighty
allegations against Mr.. Adams that do not ex-
isl equally, or in ten.fold degree, against his
Rardis tits said Mr.. Adams was once fed
eralist SO were they. II is said Mr.. Adams
is ambitious. lfby doing all his official du-
ties with almost unprecedented ability and
fidelity-being living example of all the
constituent virtues of genuine Republican
ISM, and actually fitting himself for any and
erery post OF honour, and by hispersonal worth
and finished accomplishments eminently de-
serving the highest; if this be other than
laudable ambition and praiseworthy love of
excellence, we admit the charge. On what
very different services and conduct do the
pretensions of the other Candidates rest One
Is debauched, insinuating courtier, without
moral or political rnciple-defying both the
laws OF God and man, having, for his satel-
liies vile apostates and intriguers, and should
he be promoted, we shall soon know that
" the wicked walk on every side when the
vilest men are exalted" Another affects the
the simplicity OF republicanism by riding into
the City of Washington on an old horse with
ddle-bags, and shews his qualifications and
aim.by frequent, long, and vehement speech
es. third has inflicted summary death on
an Arbuthnot and Ambrister, and, had he
been favouredwith an opportunity, would in
his compendious manner have struck off the
heads of three distinguished American Cit;-
zens. Yet these three last have come out
competitors of .Mr. Adams, and the arrogant
ospirGnts for the Presidential Office! Are
these modest claimants, or are they gLaringlg
and dangerously ambitious? The question
needs no answer. 1t is said Mr.. Adams is ir-
ritable and passionate, and that he speaks and
writes of his enemies with severity. We
know Mr.. Adams is of warm temperament,
and what he feels and thinks, he alters. Con-
scious Of his own rectitude and that he is act
Ing on the defensive, he Is jTanE, independent,
and bold. a.
" He would not fatter Neptune for his trident,
Or Jove for his power to thunder. Hi, hearts
has mouth;
What his breast FORCES, that his tongue must
vent;
And Being angry, doth sometimes forget to
stop within the bounds'
of prudence and sound discretion. But this
blunt sincerity, in speaking ones mind,''
and showing in acOrdS more hostility than is fell
or acted out, and all this in self Vindicalion,
though impolitic, cannot be very injurious to
any, unless TO the unadvised speaker or writ
er himself. An open enemy is less to be dread
ed than secret one; and if we must receive
blow or a wound undeservedly, is it more
acceptable to receive the injury from JrOsen
IbJooH n r,ro tbo,