Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-06-12
RICHMOND, JUNE 70.
COMMUNICATED.
THE PRESIDENCY

II has been predicted that when the statesmen
OF the Revolution had departed from among us. or
become too old to be held up for the Presidency.
we should be constantly engaged in the most vim
dctive and distfactins political warfare, for that
brilliant office. Each ambitious aspirant il was
said, would have powerful party arranged under
bis standard, and when one succeeded in the cleo
ton, he would be sooner installed into Office.
than violent opposition to his Administration
wonld commence and te perservered in until he
wac removed, or declined a reelection TINS
keeping the country in perpetual state of excite
tnent. will not say that this prediction will in
my opinion, be fulfilled. 1t is certainly, founded
upon no favorable estimation of the Justice aud
character of the American people. The tickle
ness of public opinion, The disposition to riot and
anarchy in republicks have been long urged as an
objection 10 that form of government. This CD.
lection, however, as well many Others has
been fully disproved in this country, by the expe-
rience. or halt century As it is of the essence
ofiree government tina; the people should govern
every thing, 1t necessarily follows that they
should take deep interest, both in the election of
their servants, and in the policy they ought 10
pursue when elected. The deeper the interest they
display, the greater the guaranty, that things will
result well, and that our happy institutions are 10
endure. The little interest which the people are
beginning TO manifest in the next Presidential
election, is eagerly seized upon 10 illustrate
Nutu Vi Nne aOOVe pTeuction. Some OF Mr.
Adams's friends pointing 10 it as the effect of
reckless. Z" Unprincipled opposition In the
desperation of their abuse of the opposition they
stem to have been unuindful of the unsparinp de-
nunciatoa which Is implied, of the intelligence
anu patriotism OF the people. II il, by no means
10 be wondered at that the Incumbent of the Prssi
dency and his parzans, should insist upon the in
furious tendency OF throwing The country into
stale OF excitement once in every four wears res
al N m
them illustrating The advantages of /" settled or
der oil things" Let him serve oui his yearss say
they, and we may then, with less excitement make
a more Judicious selection o! succ essor. Those
who hold this language need make but one step
further, TO become the advocates of President for
LIE, or OF the permanent establishment of MIR
CLAX's new doctrine, of " safe Precedents''--
laTesuiar succession ofthe Secretary of State
fnat Is ga consummation" which, it Is hoped, Mr.
Clay will not 50 deyoutly wish'' for when he shall
oe thrown ont OF the g line of safe preceden;s.'
whist he Is the Heir apparent under hIs new
dactrine It Is natural enough that he should wish
10 establish the inviosbility of the precedent: be-
cause It Will soon crafty his most ardent aspira.
tons, and cloihe him with The potDer, in despite
oil the VIII OF the people, to appoint his own sue
"cessor' with the same power. 1t is known TO the
country, and will be denied by the candid mari
OF his personal friends that pending the late Pre-
sldentia! election, no man in the nation protested
more earnestly than he did, against the precedent
OF" Cabinet succession"
Ahe opposition among the people, to the re-
election OF Mr.. Adams is not Ill canao; be personal:
nor does II proceed IRON that restless spirit OF
change and tactous deposition, which the enemies
OF Tree government CONTEND will in the end. over
throw our institutions. Neither is it produced by
The workings OF - combination OF men, aciu-
ated by selfish or ambitious motives, and begulng
The ignoranI and the cIedulous. Ga the contrary.
II springs from that walchGulness: that ieaIousv.
that intelligence and love of couatry. without
which Iepubcanisnl is but name, and freedom
but a gilded illusion The exercise of these ooIt.
cal virtues may we'll be called, by the occupants
OF high places" unnecessary aud dangerous ex-
element. Fortunate oad ii be for them, if the
tuHae'es OF pensioned Press could quit that
watchiuiness, still that Jealousy and deceive tina,
intelligence and love Of country. The blessed
doctrine OF g. safe precedsnts;' and of passive
obedience and non-resisence," would be then un
questioned. The high DigniIaries of the land would
fepose IN peace, receiving the admiration and hon.
age OF quiet and Obedient people. That people
themselves, would be freed from the neroI.I,,,,
Intncacies OF governmental affairs. They would no
longer ieel 1t necessary 10 enquire into The faith
iuiness OF their agents those agents would
De the Alpha aud The Omega Of every thing
Claiming and exercising every power, touching
" The general welfare,'' or even necessary IN
enable them to better The condition of the oeo.
PEE 10 control the capital. - regulate he Ia.
couI OF the country" we should soon feel thar we
foweu 10 our Rulers, even the common accessories
of life.
thank God, we have not yet arrived, and CON
nuen'iy trust, that we never shall arrive, at this
state OF happy tranquility But, fhouJd such "a.
'Si coma unfortunately seize upon this people il
whi be the sleep of political desh 10 our Instjtu.
ions, ions whenever we cease to take deep and
nVeiy interest In the election Of cur highest Off
GERS, and In the manner in which they tplfl their
duties when elecied, that moment eve -u,,ends.
our right TO self.sovernment. The prediction NJ
our enemies is scarcely worthy of contempt. Next
20 virtue ana InteIligehce, the most valuable quail
atsS o! TepublcaD,are ws,chfulness and iealousv
OF pubic men, lively interest 10 public affairs
and an energy which 'tnpels as to the correction
OF all abuses. IL may suit men in power. as well
as 'heir passive toos, 10 invegh against the dams
gers OF popular excitement. and the commoiion of
frequent elections. But, like the storms In IN.
Physical world. they purify the political atroo..
Pheie' That people who are most excited about
pubic affairs, under representative government,
HHi always be the best served and retain their
freedom the longest. But, In this exciteneot
were are bounds beyond which il is reprebensibls
70 go. Moderation and justice are essential Viz
'1eS' While we are Jealous TO exclude obnoviors
lnen rom ONCE, and in resisting pernicious me,-
lei US remember that ,denun citation is not ar
gument that violence and patriotic zeal are moi The
same; and that political differences Of opision
ought not to engender personal feeling There is
q degree OF Comfy due from one nan 10 ano.
toer, which we ought not to forget in private life,
much less when speaking of those who have been
put into Office under the forms of the Constitution
1hs purity and disintereStsdness Of public man
may De questioned boldly, without descending TO
PeIsootl. abuse. Still / am ore Of those who
tn.nk y light 70 call things by theil proper Names