Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-10-19
LETTER n.
To he EdifO.,s OfMc ,luie;jcyu


To Tie Editors ofHc .lneiican.
GENTLEMEN: Inmy FIRST lcttcrwhich YOU have
done me the favor 60 publish. & for which owe
you my thanks, il was attempted TO be shown
and II was, think, satisfactorily Shown tbo;
there was no expression ola single sentiment or
opinion, in the public writings of NJ. Adams.
prior to the year 1874, at variance with the
sonndc5t and purcst principles, of7cpubiicdnism.
That nc had, on the contrary, proved himself
not only well acquainted with the system of po-
icy best adapted TO the internal and foreign re-
lations of this country, but also an able supper
ter'of that system.
L should hardly deem il necessary 10 add ann-
Their word, on the subject of Mr.. Adams's early
political sentiments, but that great stress has
been laid, by tic friends of al Tie ofte1 ca,adi-
dnfcs, upon consistency Of pyincipkcs. No one
believe, doubts tlIat Mr. Adams nor beloDps
10 the republican party. There is, in fact, al
present, no ofher party i'll the United States.
The Executive and Legislative branches of the
government of eCe,y state in the union are at
this moment rcpuJiicun and the attempt TO re-
viyc the distinctions and animositics of martin
by insisting on the necessity of choosing a Presi-
dent who has been uniformity republican, has
been got up only as a counterpoise to the supe-
rior qualifications and professions of John o.
Adams The absurd attempt TO fix upon Mr.
Crawford the charge of .fcde,ulism, because, in
moment of patriotic enthusiasm, he forgets the
difference of pnrtics, and felt and acted ONLY as
an .7Weyicnt, whose country was threatened
with danger, was intended, not TO iniurc him.
but to excite anew the long forgotten animosi-
ties of republicans against the administration Of
Hlr. Adams's Inttcr, and illus, if possible. 10
bring ms pOIiticW sins TO bear upon the son.
This mode of discussing the question is pucrilc,
as well as iIliberal. No man ever lived who.
uniformly, and under all circumstances viewed
the same subject in tlrc same light. The facui-
ty OF reason Is given TO IT'S, that wc may think
and act 0CcOTrijR% 10 occusjGn. Opinion must
be the result Of circumstance, and, TO he cor
rect, must follow the change of circumstance.
Is it because the people Of the United States
have changed Mcij' principles that the wiolc
country IS now republican, No-but be-
cause Tic circumstance and condition of the
country have undergone chance; and ogiHions
on questions of policy, have followed dc same
course. IL is with view Of meeting the qucs-
ton upon these grounds, t,at shall be cornpcll-
cd TO trouble YOU with few additional remarks
upon the early political career Of Mr.. Adams,
before / enter upon the much more important
subject of his present. fitness for the station Of
president. | stall show, tiIat by whateyCrH4pc
he may have been, or may now be, called, hi
PriRciDies have been uniformly consistent and
that those principles have been, throughout the
whole Of his political life, essentially yepuTIiru1
1t has been seen, that John Quincy Adams
was appointed by W'ddjjagton, in 1T94, resident
Minister TO the United Netherlands. lie left
this country 10 frlG!mcaf ct hjs mission, more