Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-06-14

main with him TO entitle him 10 the FIRST
office in The gift OF nation containing
twelve millions oil enlightened freemen
Suppose The late war with Great Britain
had not occurred, would General Jack
son have ever been thought of as a can
didate for the Presidency of the United
STATES We iearlessly assert that he ne
yer would. Nor will his warmest ad-
nlrers controvert the assertion. Yet
iice no qualifications which he did not
possess before. HIS fame in arms, the
most imposing and authoritative in its
influence on The mass of mank ind, con-
stilules with his fellow citzens his only
claim to pre-eminence in station. In no
other point of view is he really disin-
guished. But such fame is different
from that which should belong to the
civil chief of mighty people, enjoying
a free and deliberate government, the
genius OF which is essentially pacific.
In the hands of leader enamored of the
sword, let republics beware OF reposing
power.
1t General Jackson possesses, in pre-.
eminen, degree, qualities than those
which til him Tor military commend and
the superin'endence OF The affairs of war,
he certainly has never exhibited them 10
the world. Yet has he been repeatedly
placed in civil stalions-oD The bench
at the bar, and in deliverative assem-
blies-of excitement sufficient to have
called them into action, had they only
lain dormant. 1t is fair, therefore, to
conclude that they form no part OF his
intellectual character. Al all events
there exists no good reason why compe-
tent Judges should give him such credit
for them in advance, as to elevate bin
TO the chair of Chief Magistrate, in OPP
position to those who possess in abun-
dance the specific qualities which that
station demands. Had General Jack
son fixed his eye on the Office of Presi
dency ten years ago, he would have la
bored during that period to fit himself
for it, and would have been, at this no
ment, character exceedingly different
from what he is. No more accomplish
ed as military captain. Probably less
so; because other subjects would have
engrossed his attention. His objects
would have been to expand his mind BY
a more extensive know ledge OF history
the history and science OF government
rather than Of war. Added TO this, he
wnulA have otrassicd win all The enet-
gy tina, characterizes him, 10 amplify his
knowledge aud ability as a statesman,
jurist, civilian, and diplomatist. IL
fine, he would have rendered himself
less oil he warrior and much more OF the
every DAY character of peaceful times
In doing this, he would have transmutea
himself, IN no small degree, into The pr
else likeness OF his late competitor ioi
the place of Chief Magistrate.
There is little doubt, or rather no doubl
al all, that for many years past, MIR
Adams has been aspiring TO the station
OF President. During that period he has
been qualifying himself unreml,iInBiy
and laboriously for the trust. lie has
not expected 10 merit the chair by any
single act, or to bound into i, al a single
leap. He has only anticipated ascend
ing it gradually on the sure ground OF
appropriate preparation. On such qua
liicalions aiune as beslow an aptitude
ior ii has he founded MS hopes. u lnese
qualifications, those which bare reia-
ton to war are far from being the mo8t
important. On the contrary, perhaps
they are the least so. HIS REPUTATION,
and paramount pretenslons TO the high
est civil station within the gait OF bis tel
low citizens, rest on his matured titDess
10 conduct, more particularly IN llmes oi
peace, The muitilarious and momentous
concerns Of the nation. BY long and
iaborious course of discipline, he has
schooied himself to be what ne has asflr
ed 10 be. Aud such ought to be the con-
duct OF every individual who aims al The
chair OF Chief Maglstracy OF the Union
| On no other description Of character
| should it be bes1owed Il it is essential
to undergo preparatory course logan
admission to the privileges and emoiu-
ments OF learned protession-Dlvnl-
y--Law-or Physic-some approprl-
ate preparation is surely requisite 10
qualify, tor the lofty and responsible Of
| fee of President, even the conspicuous
tavorites OF nature.
Mr.. Clay is himself statesman OF
rare sagacity and pre-eminent standing,
and therefore among the mos. compe
tent Judges OF the qualifications which
| Il =
When celebrating on that important