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

ford should have been elected Will not
be allowed to have much weight, when
it is recollected of how small number
that caucus was composed. The rea-
son assigned in favor of Gen. jackson
would be entitled to consideration, were
it founded in truth. But, from the fact
that Gen. Jackson had greater num-
Der of electoral votes that any other
candidate, il does not follow, that be
was the favorite of the people. BY no
mode of calculation whatever could he
be considered the favorte of majority
of the people. Admitting the electoral
votes to furnish correct criterion Of
their sentiments, he was a favorite of
less than two-fifths only 90 being in
his favor, while 16a were against him.
Had he been elected by the house, the
appellation of minority President,n
could have been asjustIy applied to him,
as il has been to Mr. Adams.
But It's denied that the electoral votes
are correct criterion of the sentiments
of the people. That every vote must
count one is admitted, for so the consti-
tuition ordains :but that every vote repre-
sents an equal number of citizens, is by
no means true. That every vote, when
the Representatives vote by States, must
count one, whether that vote be given
by Delaware or New York, is also adj
mitted, but neither is it true, in this
case, that each vote represents an equal
number of citizens. Both are consttu-
tionaI modes of eleeting President: but
neither is correct mode of ascertaining
public sentiment.
No means exist for ascertaining with
exactness the sentiments of the people,
in regard to the Presidential candidates,
at the late election. The vote by States,
as have already said, is not correct
criterion, for some States contain many
more citizens than others The vote by
electors is much better criterion, but
mol correct one, for these reasons:- -
three fifths OF the slaves, who do not vote
are added to the number of citizens to
determine the number OF electors, to
which the state is entitled; the State
containing the smallest number of Cit
zens has two electors in addition to the
number of its representatives. while the
state containing the greatest number is
entitled to no more; and in some states
electors were chosen almost unanimous
", while in others there were large mi
norities for the electoral tickets, that
did not prevail. BY collecting all the
votes given by the friends of the respec-
tive candidates throughout the union, it
has been ascertained that had the cleo
toral votes been given according to the
votes of the people, and OF their Repre-
sentatives in the state legislatures, omit
ting fractions,
Mr.. Adams would have received 90,
General jackson Sc,
Mr.. Crawford AZ,
MIR. Clay %.
MIR. Adams was, therefore, in prefer
ence to any other candidate, the choice
of the people of this republic. He re-
ceived the votes of majority of the
states, and of a greater number OF Re-
representatives. than any other candidate.
He was elected President according to
all the forms prescribed by the constitu-
ton He was therefore entitled, in ad-
vance, to the confidence and support of
his fellow citizens; and that con fdence
and support should continue to be gen
erously afforded until, by his conduct he
has shown himself unworthy.
The first duty which devolved on him,
was the nomination of persons to COM
pose his cabinet. For the office of Sc
cretary of State, he selected MIR. Clay.
This gentleman resided in a part of the
Union, whence Secretary of State had
never been selected lie had long held
conspicuous station among his fellow
citizens. -Devoted to republican princi-
ples-the favorite of the republican par.
tyhe had six times been elected Spea-
ker of the National House of Represen-
tatives; he had been deputed by Mr..
Madison to negotiate treaty of peace
with Great Britain; and so highly were
his talents and patriotism appreciated by
those who knew him best, that they
deemed him worthy the highest office
in the nation. In the eyes even OF the
opposition, he had but one disqualified.
tior-he voted for MIR. Adams. They
may insinuate or assert-what cannot
be asserted that this vote was not con-
scientiously given; but not particle of
proof has or can be adduced to prove
such an assertion. For whom else
could be consistently have yotediNotfor
Mr. Crawford. for he lad early onanlv