Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-06-26
COMMUNICATED.
THE PRESIDENCY.
NJ w

su'iden conversion 10 democracy Ito which mere
allusion was made in my last.) cannot fail 20 make
a strong impression on he readers mind They
are fully known 10 only a feto persons and ad
verified 10 them with the view of eciting from
others, history of the rsnsaciion OF giving IL
myself do not despair oil seeing such history
III print, from source that will command respect:
- and, should 1t be forthcoming, many hsnes, men
both Federal and Democrat, may be less entli1sias
tic in heir admiration OF MIR. Adaus's character
1t may be other Use; and, for the honor OF my
country, should he glad it so. This mat er
. VIII OUT come day other. Bat, If it remain
court secret much longer, all who acted on the
stage at the time and know the facts, will have
passed sway and this curious nciIen, in our DO
litica history will be imperfsctly known. and per-
haps, most grossly perverted Ii Mr. Aleu.s Ell
ther belonged to, or invited TO ioia In trea.
sonabis association 10 divide The Union " QUE ht
TO know io what extent he went; sohen and ,chy
he abandoned the scheme; and grao we're he con-
spirators? That Mr. Adams BETRAYED them to
president Jefferson, may be praisewor,hy act
Blt mans conduct may be patriotic when nat.
giotisn is the least active inducsnent 10 n, If
Hir Adams had not immediately abandoned the
honest, as well as the dishonest, portion # his
party; II he had not changed his political princ-
piles, and his opinions To the proper policy of
the government; if he had not sought Office and
enolument with avidiiy, all The Grid would aga ee
that his conduct was both patriotic and Gisiutey-
ested.
Al Ncnttai A-On nau commanded The Ofsfrlgl.
and hal artu-y RANGED he Hartford Coylpe,,-
ton, without any other suthoity than Me Sc
c0sd section On you please) he would have been
sctusied by the nobiesi impulse of patriotism ;
without he hope OF reward; bu, with the certainty
OF much clamorous Zeal Tor his coun,r : ,
and not the cunning design OF advancing his own
fortunes, would have been the animating motive
II he hanged Arbuthnot and Ambristef: if he i'm
prisuned Judge Hall New Oieans; if he pro-
claimed natal law and awed into submission a
Legislature that he had been led % bclieye were on
the eve OF making ignominious terms with the en- =
envy The law OF nations and the CIRCUMSTANCES In
which he was placed, amply justified him. in the
opinion of his Government, aud that of great ma
jority OF his counirymen. The powerful pen, and
the great Requirements of Mr. Adam 81 ere neve,
more successfully employ ed than in viniicating he
conduct OF the Patriotic Hero IF Jsckson's ter.
lie shall display the same energy IN conduc, the
same disintereste'lness and love of country-ac.
companed by the fesrlessness of personal
conseqdences-the same contempt for the pomp
end glitter OF Office his name will be handeltlown
TO posteriiy, associated with those OF Warrington
and CiDcinna,us. II he had kno,-n the facts dis
closed by Mr.. Adams 10 Mr.. Jefferson, does anv
man believe that he would not also have disclosed
them TO he world? The idea f the future connie
nance and support Of the leading and influential
men he might unmssk, ould never have entered
his mind. Such thought would have excited equal
contempt IN his bosom with that oil their hatred and
llstlnHJ 10
whole character and conduct of the man?
will not DIV eli longer on this loathsome theme
although It leads II ma.y curious speculalions aud
u iraught With lessons of instruction to conf
people might connect with it many subsequent
transactions, with which, to superficial observer
II seems TO have no relationship Let what has
been said suffice for the present / 10 mol wish to
do injustice. even uninten ionslly.
should be alike regardless OF my own dignity
and OF proper respect for thr Judgment of an en-.
ish'eaed people, # descended To the multitude Of
small objections that have been made 10 Mr. Adj
Efas NO man, however gres, his talents, or pure
his principles. can occupy the Presidency without
exposing himself frequently to the attacks sa casms
and complaints OF those who are pre- -disp .ed 10
cayl. Deficiencies and Inperfecions are entaiIed
upon MAJ by mis- Maker: apd il would be uncandjd
TO expect from the occupant Of The most distin
guished and responsible station on earth exempticn
from that Is Common 10 us all. The acts OF men
arc either veniai or not. The test of discrimna
ton IS the quo amino. After all the zgotipe is
the only real touchstone of human action The
first enquiry that Is made when man acts amiss
Is, what motive could he have had? Here, again.
the analogy holds between The laws Tor the punish
ment OF civil and political offences II is ihe in
tsntion OF the party to which we are chiefly TO
iook-and that can only be ascertained in either
case, by the accompanying circumstances Tested
In this way, there are many minor objections to a
public man thai are worthy of notice But, to
proceed
really know not whether the friends Of Mr..
Adams abure his acis before his conversion, or
acknowledge tina, he is responsible for the,n. With
those OF them who insist that his netD birth neces-
saTily pre-supposes forgiveness of his previous
offences, shall have 10 reason from his subse-
Q1ent life But as there are many, who, admitting
inns doctrine In religion, deny it's application 10
politics, shall cay few words 10 them
1t is surely not the fault of MIR Adams that he
was born OF high parentsge; that his father before
him was President; that he was educated and
spent the better part of bis life In the society of the
Arstocracy Of the old world. These eircums,an-
ees show that he has enjoyed the best opportunity
to acquire the most accomplished education, and
90 form just comparative estimate of the value OF
our free Institutions. But The question is has he
svaed himself of II is admitted that he has
acquired great learning; and, as scholar, has bat
few equals in our country. But do his fascinating
requirements imply that he also possesses a know
ledge OF nen--thst he is practical man of 5u
si1ess, acquainted with the circumstances. wants
and habits of the peoplcl The few men who have
acquired great learning in the schools OF ays o,g,
counuy, with hundred times Mr. Aasms,s oonor.
tunity OF studying men and the .ffairs of common
NE, arc mol much better informed than he is In
TINS homciy branch Of knowledge. The truth o.
this remark will be felt BY ever reader who ,ov.
many Of the LITERAL. VIZ. Jefferson was one oil
tue two solitary exceptions that I have known
and We all know tia, he POSSESSED defects ia thi.
particular that night ne pointed out By refer
ence TO some Of his abortive experiments. both In
public and private life The whole stream Of Mr.
Adsins's public life, shows bis want of iIdyment -
and bis ignorance Of the complicated pursuits and
Interests OF the people, that so often and 80 Sc.
roasiJ ahected b. the injudicious tsmperpg Of GO
yernment. The qualifications Of professor o
rhetoric are widely different from those of a use