Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-12-05


tuie the sole serious ground of Gen. Jaclson support
candidate for tue Chief Alagistracy of the Union
The most honorable men of his party, well as the
most syCophantc satellites who would figure in his re-
tinue, are compelled to his claims on this founda
ton. Whatever sincere admirers may think say or
write of him--whatever extrayagan papegyics cs his
talents and his exploits may be composed by prost;
tpted pens IN his cause whatever honest eloque Cc
hireling defamation inay trumpet in his van all
must concentrate in one focus.--Ingenuiiy may rack
her invention, even the enthusiasm of immaculate pa
tios may exhaust ITS energies spreading his own
but "to this il must at lastn that the Soldier on
whose banner victory perched NJ Orleans ssof rigid
ought TO te'' President of the United States
Ii ia not assuredy in State affairs alone that the
American people are satisfied TO take the will for the
deed. The pride and sacred duty of this nation of
gallant freemen is to transmit 10 their postey the
Invaluable blessings OF liberty in the pure and nvio-
late state in which they Inherited them from their an
cestors If they suffer their rights to be invaded by
violence from abroad, to be impaired by their own
stess apathy at home the mighty palladium entI listed
10 their hands by the genius OF the revolution and
constitution, is betrayed. careless indifference to
the talents and qualifications of the who
To- direct the high destinies of this country, would be
a more objectionable political sin, than blind and
passive obedience 10 rulers. In the latter case our
confidence may have been gained and our jealousy of
men in power lued by the no,oriety of their wisdom
fitness and patriotism In the former ncapacity would
too often be arrayed in the garments of Office and the
republic exposed TO all the difficulties and periIs both
foreign and domestic which ignorance however up,
right, and its attendants, passion and obstinacy
cannot fail to epgender.
Every sensible citizen would beyond question where
his private interests deeply involved in the Judi
cfous choice of an agent, be influenced chiefly by tine
previous knowledge he possessed, of his abilities and
sitableness for the duties of the peculiar trust be
reposed in him. When health and property are at
hazard. the patient and gant seek for help from those
only. who, IT IS known, give il. The physician
whose reputation is already established would alone be
sought form an alarming and critical disease. The
surgeon whose professional education and successful
experience have elevated him to eminent rank in
his art would alone be trusted with the amputaon of
limb or the healing of dangerous wound. None but
FIRST mechanic would be employ ed 10 plan and
erect elegant edihce, but approved work
man to build even humble mansion. When the
Temples of Justice approached by anxious suitors
where wealth poverty, character Disgrace life or
death is hanging the sentence of the law the adyos
cate who for the occasion is the champion OF bis ceat,
will certainly not be benoyice who has his books yet
to read, and his science yet learn. Should The pa
tent perish under the blupderngs of unskiiulness The
well meaning of the empiric would convey but wteched
comfortto desoate family. The honesty of the
chitict by whose bupgng the building falls to pieces
would hardly console for the losses of the pocket.
What applicant for justice, whose ruin occasion
ed by his uninformed and iherate delegate, would in
mourning over his reduction from independence to
want forgive himself by the reaexion that the lawyer
recommended TO hira merely for his integrity,
II in our individual concerns are thus regulated
by tue wholesome policy of commanding the best tai
ents and the soundest Judgment in eveyy department
of life where obliged TO call on the services of
others, 1t would be paradoxica in the extreme should
the rule of conduct not guide the selection
of those who are 10 preside the memen,ous des>
TIMES of whole and asst commonwealth Pc. soual
popularity and the unsulled intentions never
supply the want of ability Distinction and fame may
have been obtained in sphere OF public action but
If the fortunate winner of honor is translated 10 another
orbit where he must feel stranger, is thing
but gratitude to him; any thing but CONSCIENTIOUS
regard for the good of the country. The Naval Hero
who first dssipated the charm OF British nvincibiy
on the ocean would have stared at such retoard
the command of army. The brilliant victories of
Brown and Scott in the campaign of Canada would
have been eccenrically compensated By transfer
to the identified with the giories Of Perry
and McDonomgb. Their matchless heroism and con-
sumnate generalsip the land, would have gathered
strange laures in the commission OF Comrnodoie of
station, Admiral of fleet. Would Nelson
and Wellington have felt al home, in The places of Pitt,
Fox, and Canning? Gould the trophies of the Nile
and Waterloo have created Chancellor of tue Elk,
.cbequer, and Prime Minister of England
The people of the u States have heretofore acted on
the principles of common Every man TO bis
canS-stbe shoemaker TO his last" have been with
them axioms in the ordinary transactions of life, and
first institutes in their universe of politics. This has
been most happily and sgnay illustrated in their cleo
ton of Presidents from the commencement, 10 the
present period My countrymen would deem their un>
dersandDgs insul;ed l 10 refer their choice in
these instances 10 chance, rather than their own saga
cious Judgment. They would hold il aspersion of
their good and provdeDt foresight, (which con-
stitute the foundation of our national character Thei
boast next 10 love of God, of Liberty and of Justice
''close observers and look quite through The deeds
of men," as their courage and patriotism would
"oppose the worlds whole multitude in arms so their
keen sighedness could be deceive by the ies
Of host of cunning diplonatists 10 Europe. their
vigilance surprised by the hasty Of unreasoD
able ambition among themselves.
Gen. Washington, the Adams, Mr.. Jefferson, Mr..
Madison, Mr.. Monroe 'ere they reached the highest
pinnacle Of power III this country, we're long before
tried aud fsmliaIy known to every in The na;iop
as most able politicians and enlightened statesmen Ii
was not matter Of speculation of experiment, wbe~
Their their minds their pursuits their tempers their IN
formation. enabled them TO undergo the arduous and
muliifarious labors attached TO their staiion-Doubs
fany had existed had entirely vanished away be
fore the steady light Of experience in long course of
years. The epochs of their Inauguration wero at an
immense distance from the points Of their first appear
the political stage.
In the interval Of time their trauscepdant aptitude
for managing the public councils became part Of his
tory 1t had been displayed thousands of occasions
and 10 various spheres. Civil Offices of higher degree
and lover degree connected with the interests then