American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-04-05

In considering this only alternative, was not
unaware Of your strong desire TO have Western
President but l thought that ! knew enough oil
your patriotism and magnanimity, displayed on so
many occasions, to believe that you could rise above
the mere qualification OF sectional pride, 1t the
common good of the whole required you to make
the sacrifice Of local partially. solemnly believ-
ed did, and this brings me to the most important
consideration which belonged to the whole subject
that arising out OF the respective fitness oil the
only two real competitors, as it appeared to my best
Judgment In speaking of Gen. Jackson, am
aware Of the delicacy and respect which are Justly
due to that distinguished citizen. 1t is tar from my
purpose to attempt to disparage him. could mol
Iif were capable of making the attempt but
lshall nevertheless speak OF him as becomes me-
with truth. did not believe him so competent to
discharge the various intricate, and complex duties
of the Office of Chief Magistrate as his competitor
He has displayed great skill and bravery as militia
Try commander; and his renown Will endure as long
as the means exist oil preserving recollection O
human transactions. But to be qualified to dis
charge the duties Of President Of the United States
The incumbent must have more that mere military
altainmenls-he must be asTATEsMAN. An indl
.idual may be gallant and successful general
an eminent lawyer, an eloquent divine learned
physician, or an accomplished artist, and doubtless
The union Of all these characters in the person OF
Chief MAGISTRATE, would be desirable; but no one
of them nor all combined, will qualify him to be
President, unless he superadds that indispensable
requisite Of being a statesman, Far from aiming
Ito say that It is objection 10 the elevation 10 the
Chief Masistracv OF any person, that he is military
commander, il he suites the other qualifications,
only intend to say that whatever may be the
or splendor OF his military Movements, 1t his quail
ics,oo be ,niy military, that Is an objection, aud
lthk decisive objection to his election. II General
Jack son has exhiote, either IN the councils OF the
Unlpn, or in those oil hi, State or in those oil any
pther State or Territory the qualities oil statesman
he ideuce Of the lac has escaped my observation
II would painful as u Is unnecessary to recaplt
uisle some Of the incidents which must be fresh in
your recollection, oil his public HE But was greatly
deceived my Judy ment 1t they proved him TO be en-
dowed with that prudence, temper, and discretion
who az necessary Tor cvI administration 1t in
vain TO remind me oil the illustrous example OF ~ ash
neton There was, IN that aor binary person, uni
ed serenity of mind, cool and collected wisdom,
CAUTIOUS and deliberate Judgment, perfect com
mand of the passions, and throughout his whole
life familiarity and acquaintance with business ant
civil transactions. which rarely characterize any
human being. No man ever more deeply pen
ttratd than he was with profound respect for the
safe and necessary principle OF the entire subor.
dlnatlon OF the military to the civil authority.
hope do no injustice to q neral Jackson when
say thatI could no. recognize, IN his public conduct
Those at,aInmens Tor DO h civil government and
military co nmaod, which contemporaries and pos
teritv have alike ,aninously concurred in awarding
las yet only 20 the Father Of his country. was
sensible Of the gratitude which the peuple of this
lcruntiy Justly eel towards Gen. Jackson for his
br, liant rnl'hta'v vices. But the impulses oil
publ gratudS should tie cont Oiled it appeared to
ne. by reason and discretion. and was not prepared
hlind'y surrender myself to the hazardous indul-
lgence nf feeling, however amlabe and excellent
hat feeling may be when properly directed. II did
not tn 10 be wis., p udent, if, as solemn
ly believed Gen J.ck,on's competency for the Office
was highly questionable. that he should be placed in
II situation where neher his tame nor the public in
tere,s would be advanced. Gen Jao kson himself
wnui be the last man to recommend vote Tor any
one toT place, Tor which he thought him unit,
eh myself sustained by his own reasoning in his
letter TO Mr.. Nom oe, in which, speaking Of the
qualihca'i ms oil our venerable Shelby for the De.
partment Of War, he remarked am compelled
to say t. you that the requirements OF this thy
man ave not compe,entto the discharge OF the mul
iplied duties OF this Department. lhe' efore hope
he may not accept the appointment. | am fearful
/ he does, he will not add much spendor to hi,
presen' we'll earned standn. as public haracter.'
Such was my opinion Of Gen. Jackson, in reterenc,
% the Presidency His convictions of Gov. eby's
unhness. by the ha'.ils Of his life, Tor the appoint
ment OF Secretary OF War. were not more homes
nor stronger han mine were of his own want OF ex
perence and ,ie necessary civil qualifications to dis
charge the duties OF Pesid mt oil the United States
In his elevation to this office, too, thought per
celved he establishment of eA full prec edent ant
am mistaken in all he warnings of instructive his
tory if erred in nv Judgment. Undoubtedly
here are other and many dangers to public liberty
besides that which proceeds from military idoatry
but have yet to acquire the Knowledge off if iher,
be nne more perous or more frequent.
Whether Mr. Adams would or would not hay
been my choice of President, if had been lef
freely TO select f,om the whole mass of American
ci'lzens, not the question submitted to my de
cISinn / b a M iherfu hII1 | ,uac