Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-09-07

man 10 the Office of chief magistrate
whose duty it is to administer the law
and support the constitution, an omeI
portentous Of evil TO the country, aud o
destruction to the liberties OF the people
tie could not have voted for either with
out sacrificing his consistency Of char.
acter, the brightest jewel Statesman
can wear. He therefore voted for Mr.
Adams. And for this, WAS Mr.. Adam,
permitted or bound to deprive the coun.
try of his services in the station which
every consideration called him TO FILL
Must the President, in craven dread oil
misconstruction aud calumny, have for
borne to appoints man to an important
Office, merely because that man had
given him his voter Little minds ould
have done so; aud little minds would
have appiauded such a course, and cali
led it proof of political integrity. Bal
Mr. Adams could not do SO without ac-
ting contrary to his own nature. lie is
too fearless to shrink from doing what IS
right, from dread of blame. He holds
no communion with little minds, and
neither their censure, nor their applause
is the subject of his contemplation.
For the other members of the cabinet,
he selected men of talents and expert
ence men who had long been known
to the nation, republicans in principle,
and possessing the confidence OF the
republican party. He was not pledged.
as Gen. jackson was virtually, to intro
duce a federalist into his cabinet, and he
did not. In this he acted properly and
wisely; for however true il may be that
the iederalists as a party, are power
less, or eXtinct-that many are honest
and able men--yet the predjudiee "a
gainst them is still SO strong, in some
parts Of the Union, that an adminislra-
ton not wholly republican, would not be
cheeriully and cordially supported by a
majority of people. Neither he nor his
friends gave any intimation, as did the
friends OF Mr. Crawford. whether with or
without bis direction is not known, that,
if elected, he would form ''broad bot
toned administration with which all
parties should be satisfied. He held out
no lures, he enticed no man from his
patty; he made no promises, and OF
course was not placed in the dilemma Of
weakening the governmentby observing,
or oil fixing stigma on his character by
disre garding his word. Acting in the
spirit of the remark made by Mr. Mon
roe, in his published correspondence Q
with Gen. jackson, he determined that
bis administration should rest for sup
port upon the great republican party.
Against President so chosen, and a.
gainst an administration so formed, ii
was certainly to be expected that no
strenuous opposition would be made, un-
til something had transpired, TO show
that they were unworthy of confidence;
or, to use the words of Mr.. Crawford,
that ''they would be judged by their
measures" Ebullitions OF passion from
the disappointed would have been ma
tural; and as human nature is oonsttut-
ed, even pardonable; but these, as was
would subside when time had
been afforded for reflection. A sufficient
time has elapsed, yet Incorporate pas
sion still bears sway: and an opposition
has been organized, actuated by bitter
ness of feeling, and recklessness of all
considerations but success, which has
had no parallel since the first years OF
Mr.. Jefferson's administration.
Of whom is this opposition composed:
1t is composed of the friends of Mr.. Cal
houn, whose youthful ambition TO take
the highest seat in the synagogue, has
been defeated; of the friends Of General
Jackson, whose pardonable ambition to
attain the same situation, has also been
defeated; and of other ambitious politi-
clans who, conscious of their own de-
merits, have, upon the calculation of
determined in favor of commit
ing themselves to the stormy sea of OPP
position, in the hope of sharing in the
credit of aiding to bring the ship safely
INTO port.
Understand me not TO say, that all are
actuated by chagrin from disappointment
Or selfish ambition. Far from it. Every
party embraces honest and honorable
men. Boldness in accusation, adroit-
ness in sophIstry, flattery addressed to
The vain, and skliful appeals TO the pre-
JUDGED, mislead many good men, aud
many who, IL not altogether good, de-
serve not severity of reproach.
But not only is this opposition COM
posed principally of disappointed parti-
zans; it is also local opposition. Our