The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-09-27

From the Richmond Whig.l

says. A sage addresses the people of Vir
GINA on their dearest interests--on the
prospect before them-on that real and ~
longer fictitious crisis, that ~ impending o
Yer public aflairs-on the best means o
saving public hberty--and we trust for III,
sake Of the Republic, that the people vii
hear him for his cause, if not for himself.
TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA No IL.
In my first number endeOyoIed to trace
| the present disturbed state of society TO The
effort to place General Jackson in the
Presidential chalr.--to point out the IN
tluence of that inhrmlty Of our nature which
leads US 10 pay blind devotion tn military
renown--to show from history the fatal Ell.
tects ofsuch devotion in all the ancient re
publics, and TO remind you Of the last sol
emn warning of Jefferson, elected from
hIm by the inlatuation Of his countrymen in
relation to this military chiettoln. shall
now proceed To present other views OF this
interesting subject
The question iorcibly suggests itself,
what corresponding benefit, Tor all the mis-
hiefproduced by the attempt to elect Jack
son, is hoped for, should the attempt sue
ceed? For if no benefit is expected, can
there be a greater folly, TO shy the least
that TO disturb the quiet of twelve millions
of people for the degrading purpose ofpay
ing homage ~ successful soldier? The
mere name OF the man who shall be Prcsi
dent, Is an insignificant object. The i'm
portance OF the question, who shall I'll the
office. consists. no, in the name, ,isI lpi lbe
qualifications of the man moral and intel
lectual--n the pledges already given by
the individual, that he will faithfully anO
wisely administer It's high iunctions--an.
what, in general view, @ill be the effect
OF the election Of this or that individual on
The interests Of the Republic. These are
the considerations which every unprcjudic
ed mind should examine before a decision
is made
What benefit, then, to the Republic is
expected TO result fIomthe election OF Jack.
sou! Even some Of his active psrtisans ad.
nit, that they support him, not from prnci
pie, but from hostility 10 mr.. Adams. Car,
there be doubt That majority OF tho A
a,nricnn peone always have been, and now
are, opposed 10 his 6Iecuonr--a''d that "
he succeeded in this second attempt, II will
not be because bG is deemed worthy oi thf
appointment, but because Adams Is thought
unworthy Why Is 1t that so large por-
ton oftle people who acknowledge tic IN.
fitness und incompctPncy of Jackson. still
I'unite in supporting him? Are We, indeed,
81 destitute Of citizens capable OF filling thc
Office, that We must submit 10 the dcgrad'
Jog alternative of clecting q man 20 gene
rally admitted 10 be unqualified ls there
not independence enough among Us 10 free
ourselves from the dilemma, or must we
tamely submit 10 the clamorous dictation OF
a few individuals who arrogantIy proclaim
that Jackson must be the only competitor
10 the present incumbent, and who dc.
nounce AS a traitor or in,rlguer every cit
| izen who is independent enough to inquire
whether we are really reduced so low IA
TO be confined 10 the choice Of two individ
| uals A? Whatever may be the reason, II
seems to be irrevocably fixed, that the con.
test is between Adams and Jockson.
IL becomes, then, the solemn duty OF ev.
cry freeman TO compare, or to speak more
correctly, to contrast their respective pre-
| tensions 10 ouT support.
II may be worth while 10 fix, IN the be-
ginning of this inquiry, what are the prop
or qualifications for this first Office OF the
pifl OF man. When these shall be estab.
! lished, il will be an easy matter TO measure
the respective merits of the candidates.
But if we first select the man, and then g.
rect the standard Of merit, il will be fash.
ioned from what he is, and not from what
he should be.
lie who aspires to the Presidency, should
possess character for integrity above gus.
picion. To mind well endowed by ma
ture, should be added cultivation to expcr-
ience in political affairs, which can only be
attained by long service in situations iayor'
able TO It's requirement. In private ana in
public life, lie should have gwen proofs oil
| lis respect for the laws and constitutions OF
his country--he should have shown himself
under various circumsts nces master of HIM
self capable Of subduing his passions TO
wholesome restraint, lest. IN some ungoy.
ernable poroxism, be commit the peace OF
the nation. or offer violence to the constliu.
tion. In fne, IT should be well ascertain.
ed that be had learned how TO govern h'm.
s,Ic before he is entrusted with the gov.
ernment Of others.
Ia there o rejecting man in the cominu.
pity who will deny that these are indlsPen-
sable qualifications IN candidate Tor the
Presidency Before we hurry away to a
decision. then, let Us inquire which Of the
indi,iduals. 10 whom our choice is confiD'
ed. approaches ncares, TO this standard
In private life, a prudent man wonId moi
need advice TO inquire into the qualIica'
tons of one whom he was about 10 EN-.
ploy in the management Of his afisIrs. lie
would look for an agent among those whose
experience and capacity were suited to the
duties to be performed lie would take care
70 select the best he could obtain. u II moi
a species of treason against liberty itself