Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-03-31
no. So


I proceeded to examine the other con-
siderations which belonged to the ques-
ton. For Mr.. Crawford, who barely
entered the House, with only four votes
more than one candidate not returned,
and upon whose case, therefore, the ar
gument derived from the fact of plura-
lily, operated with strong, though not
decisive force, / have ever felt much
personal regard. But was called up.
on to perform a solemn public duty, in
which my private feelings, whether of
| affection or aversion, were not to be in
dulged, but the good of my country
only consulted. Itappeared to me that
the precarious state of that gentleman's
health, although I participated with
his best friends, in all their regrets and
sympathies, on account Of it, was con-
elusive against him, to say nothing OF
other considerations Of a public nature
which would have deserved examina-
ton, if, happily, in that respect, he
had been differently circumstanced.-
He had been ill near eighteen months;
and although / am aware that his ac-
tual condition was a fact depending up.
OH evidence, and that the evidence in
regard to it, which had been presented
to the public, was not perfectly harmo-
pious, l Judged for myself upon what
I saw and heard. He may, and l aP-
IDENTITY hope, will, recover; but | did
not think it became me to assist in COM
hitting the Executive Administration
Of this great Republic on the doubtful
contingency of the restoration to health
of gentleman who had been so long
and so seriously afflicted. Moreover,
if, under all the circumstances Of his
situation, his election had been desira-
BILE, / did not think it practicable.
believed, and yet believe, that if the
votes Of the Western States, given to
MIR. Adams, had been conferred on Mr..
Crawford, the effect would have been
to protract in the House the decision
of the contest, to the great agitation
and distraction Of the country, and,
possibly to defeat an election altoge-
ther-the very worst result, thought,
that could happen. 1t appeared to me
then, that sooner or later We must ar.
rive at the only practical issue OF the
contest before US, and that was between
Mr.. Adams and General Jackson, and
l thought that the earlier we got there,
the better for the country and for the
House.
In considering this only alternative,
] was not unaware of your strong de-
sire to have Western President; butt
thought that ! knew enough OF your
patriotism, and magnanimity, display
ed on so many occasions, to believe that
you could rise above the mere gratif-
cation Of sectional pride, if the COM
mon good Of the whole required you to
make the sacrifice Of local Partially.
solemnly believed it did, and this
brings me to the most important con-
sideration which belonged to the whole
subject-that arising out Of the respec-
tive fitness of the only two real compe-
titors, as it appeared to my best Judg-
ment. In speaking of Gen. Jackson,
l am aware Of the delicacy and respect
which are Justly due to that distin-
guished citizen. 1t is far from my pur-
pose to attempt to disparage him.
could not do it if were capable OF ma
king the attempt; but I shall never
theless speak of him as becomes me,
with truth. l did not believe him so
competent to discharge the various
intricate, and complex duties of the
office of Chief Magistrate, as his COM
petitor. He has displayed great skill
and bravery as military commander;
and his renown will endure as long as
the means exist Of preserving recol-
lection of human transactions. But
to be qualified to discharge the duties
of President Of the United States, the
incumbent must have more than mere
military attainments-he must be a
STATESMAN. An individual may be
gallant and successful general, an cmi-
nent lawyer, an eloquent divine, a learn
ed physician, or an accomplished art
ist Z; and doubtless the. union Of all
these characters in the person Of a
Chief Magistrate would be desirable;
but no one Of them, nor all combined,
will qualify him to be President, UNI
less he superadds that indispensable
requisite Of being a statesman. Far
from meaning to say, that it is an 90,
lection TO the elevation, to the CHIEF
magistracy, Of any person, that ne isa
military commander, if he unltes the
other qualifications, | only intena 10
say that, whatever may Ge the success
ments, if his qualification be only mill
tary, tina. is an objection, and ! think
a decisive objection to his election. If
General Jackson has exhibited, either
in the councils Of the Union, or in those
of his own state, or in those Of any
other state or territory, the qualities OF
! a statesman. the eyiduss OF the fact