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

pamphlet has recently been published in
New. Hampshire, entitled "1he Administration
and the OPPOSITION from which the following
extracts are made;
"More than year has elapsed since
the present adm instration were induc-
ted into office; session of Congress
has been held; and party has been for
med evincng determination to make
systematic opposition to the government.
A period has therefore arrived, when it
is proper, nay, our duty as freemen, to
go into an examination of the course
which has thus far been pursued by the
administration, and also of the motives
and conduct of the party in opposition.
Such an examination may enable US to
determine whether we are bound to sup
port and give strength to the former, or
to enlist under the banners of the latter.
But it may not be improper, in the
first place, to make few remarks in
relation to the late presidential election,
and the formation of the cabinet. Cor
sect opinions on this subject are impor-
tant, and may assist us in forming cor
rect opinions on others.
AT an early period, many candidates
for the highest office in the republic
were brought forward. Honorable as
it was to our country, that it contained
so many distinguished citizens and states
men, it was yet unfayorable to the re-
pose of society, that their qualifications
and merits were, at the same time, ur-
ged with so much zeal, by their respec-
tive supporters. OF those who had been
proposed for consideration, public sem
timent, in the progress of the discus
sions, designated four as the ablest and
most deserving: Mr.. Crawford, whose
agreeable manners and respectable ta-
Tents had raised him to high and import
ant stations; Gen. jackson, whose bril-
liant achievements In the last war, had
encircled his name, and that of bis grate-
full country, with unfading glory; Mr..
Clay. justly admired for his persuasive
eloquence, and distinguished, before all
others, for his warm devotion to repub-
lican principles; and Mr.. Adams, en-
poyed from his youth in the service of
his country, surpassed by no one in Ia
lent, and by no one in attachment to
the country he had SO long and so faith
fully served. Of these, the two first
We're supported by the southern section
of the Union, which enjoys the distin-
guished honor of which il is justly
proud, of having given to the republic
chief magistrate in eight out OF nine
quadrennal elections; to other words,
for thirty-two of the thirtysix years that
have elapsed since the formation of the
constitution. Gen. jackson received
also some support in the western, and
more in the middle states. Mr.. Clay was
the favorite candidate Of the west; and
Mr. Adams received the undivided vote
of New England.
1t is evident, therefore, that in the
late election, local had much more
weight than party considerations And
this was natural Party excitement
having subsidized, free operation was Civ
en- TO the strongest of all the noble pas
sions which can actuate man, love to
the place of his birth This passion is
inherent in the hearts of us all. The
town in which we were born has, and
deserves, the first place in our atfec-
tions. The honor of our state is most
dear to us, and justly; next, that section
in which our state is placed; and he
whose attachment to these is ardent and
devoted, will not feel the less attach
Inent to his whole country. Nay, the
latter springs from the former as Its
source. and could not exist without it.
OF these candidates, no one had
majority of the electoral votes, and the
election devolved upon the House OF
Representatives, by whom Mr.. Adams
was elected. The friends of Mr.. Craw-
ford have asserted, that the Represen-
tatives were bound to choose him, be-
cause he was the candidate nominated
Inv a Congressional caucus, The friends
Of Gen. jackson have asserted, that they
were bound to choose him, because, hav'
ING received the highest number OF e.
leetoral votes, he was, of course the Ia
yorite Of the people. Bound to choose,
is contradiction in terms. 1t IS an
absurdity which no sensible freeman
would otter, and no spirited freeman
could understand. No, the House Is
BY the constitution left free to choose,
limited only as to the number OF can
didstes.