Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-04-14

Out Tue Eoou OF my country only con-
suited. 1t appointed to me that the pre-
c%arious state Of that geDtieman's health,
although ! participated with his friends,
in all their regrets and ~sympatheis, on
account of it was exclusive against him
to say nothing of other considerations
ola public nature which would have
deserved examination II, happily, in that
| respect, he had been differently circum-
stanced. lie had been ill near eigh-
teen months; and although | am a.
ware that his actual condition was q
fact depending upon evidence, and that
the evidence in regard tn IL, which had
been presented to the public was not
perfectly harmonious, Judged for my
sell upon what | saw and heard. lie
may, and ardently hope, will, recover;
but did not think it become me to as
sist in committing the execut. 9 admin
i~stration of this great Republic on the
doubtful contingency of The restoration
to health Of a gentleman who had been
so long and SO seriously afflicted
Moreover, il, under all circumstances Of
his situation his election had been desir-
able | did not think it practicable. I
believed, and yet believe, that if the
votes of the Western States given TO Mr..
Adams, had been conferred on MIR.
Crawford, the effect would have been
to protract in the house decision of the
contest, to the great agitation and dis
traction of the country, and possibly, to
defeat an election altogether--the very
worst result | thought, that could hap
pen. lt~appeared to me then, that SOON
er or later we must arrive at the only
practicable issue of the contest before
us, and that was between Mr.. Adams
and General jackson, and | thought
thatthe earlier we got there, the better
for tie country aud for the house.
In considering this only alternative, I
was not unaware of your strong desire
to have a Western President; but +
thought that | knew enough of your pa
triotism, aud magnanimity, displayed
on so many occasions 70 believe that you
could rise above the mere qualification
of sectional pride, ifthe common good
of the whole required you to make the
sacrifices of the local pa~rtiality. So
lemnly believed il did, & this brings me
to the most important consideration
which belonged to the whole subject
that arising out ofthe respective fitness
of the only W real competitors as it app
peared to my best judgment. In speak
ing of General Jackson | am aware Of
the delicacy and respect which are JUST
ly due to that distinguished citizen. II
10 far from my purpose to attempt to-
disparnge him. / could not do it If
were capable of making the attempt,
but shall nevertheless speak of him as
becomes me, with truth did not be-
iieve him SO competent to discharge tie
various, intricate, and complex duties
Of the office of Chief Magistrate, as hlG
competitor. He has displayed great
skill and bravery as a military comman-
der, and his renown viii endure as long
asthe means exist Of preserving a recol-
lection Of human transactions. But to-
be qualified to discharge the duties Of
President Of the United States, the in.
cumbent must have more than mere
military attainments-he must also be
a statesman.
An individual may be a gallant and
successful general, an eminent lawyer
an eloqent divine, a learned physician,
or an accomplished artist; and doubt
less the union Of all those characters in
the person Of a Chief Magistrate would
be desirable: but ose OF them nor all
combined, viii qualify him to be Presi-
dent. unless he saperads that indispen-
sable requisite Of being q statesman.
Far from meaning to say, that il is an
objection TO the elevation, 10 the chief
magistracy. 0. any person that he is a
military commander, if he unites the
other qualifications, ! only intend to-
say. that whatever may be the success
on splendor ofhis military achievements,
il his qualifications be enly military, that
is an Iohieciion and | think a decisive
objection to bis election. II Gen. jack
son has exhibited, either in the coun-
ellis Of The Union, or in those ofhis own
state, or in those Of any other state or
territory, the qualities Of q Statesman,
the evidence of the facts has escaped
my observation,
10 Be concluded
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