Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-06-15
RICHMOND, JUNE Is.
CO.NMU.N9CaTED.
THE PRESIDENCY.
No III.

usuon because THIS or That Individual IS President
There are many who, no doub', do so; but they
belong to class of persons that always have ex-
listed, and always will exist, in every country
dependents and erpectGntS. The great mass OF the
people decide upon disinieTested principles They
look to the public good. Honest differences OF
opinion as to the measures best suited TO promote
the public prosperity, will exist, long as opin-
ION Is left free, with the power in The people TO
make that opinion operative. IL Is now apparent
mat 1t there be not an actual majority against the
reelection of Mr.. Adams, the public sentiment is
very neerly divided on that subject
Ii Is gfatuitous assertion TO say that the on
position is g tnprincipied." Il would be equally
preposierous TO say, that all who support M
Adams are, knowingly, the advocates OF intrigue
anu corruption have too exalted an opinion of
my fellow citizens to believe that there is any truth
in either presumption The state of society in A
meTica would be deporsble, indeed, if such were
the case. Yet, IL seems to be consistent with the
sense OF truth and courtesy entertained by most OF
the writer's Tor the Administration, to press an as
sertion Involving 80 much looseness of principle
and desperation OF purpose in the American cha
Facier. When public sen iment is so nearly dyid-
ed az at present, the denunciaton of either party
by the other is ridiculous It's Injustice surpssses
even the anti-repabiican doctrine that the people
ought not 10 think OF removing President al The
emu OF Tour years. because the frequent contests for
the Office produce so much strife and excitement
NOW, what IS the Cause of all this strife? Il is
not owing to any hostility 10 the principle of the
Constitution, which declares that the President
shaii De eligible TO re election. Ii such hostility
existed among me people, they would have mani
rested II before tins time In the first place. the
constitution would have been framed liffe, entity
III that hostility was the result OF experience and
renecuon, the Instrument would have been amend
ec--1r 1t would have shown itself in opposing the
re-eiecuons OF w ashlngon, Jefferson, Madison and
Monroe. The administrations of these distne uish-
ed men, though not entirely satisfactory to the
whole country, did not excite that spirit Of host
llty and resistance which turned out the elder A.
dams, and which exists at this moment TO such Am
extent throughout the country as to make il sluos,
certain that the Son will share the same fate WHY.
ask, was the elder dams disc arded from the con-
'ldence OF the nation! Was it owing to The fac
tious spirit Of g an unprinciplsd opposi,Ion'' a
spirit which has been so often said 10 belong to
NepuhNcs' or to dislike of the principles and
measures OF that mad Administrations The peo.
pie then saw. or believed they saw, The Govern
ment advancing, with eaat strides, TO the accumu-
laiion OF dangerous powers. Its measures were
alarming land possessing The power, ti.ey applied
the corrective.
In The case of 3Tr. j. @. Adams, we find =
most striking analogy. Whether he inherits his
ia'hers iondness Tor strong and splendid govern
meni or im6ibed il in the bosom of the ,nonarcbies
mas resided the greater part OF his life is a matter
oil no importance. 1t is sufficient that his doc
tIinss 90 not accord with The sentiments Of the
american people, or that has acts are either partial
OF al variance with their interests If the neon,e
consider hun an unsafe depository of power, il is
noih Their right and their duty to discard him from
ti.eir conhdence Whilst | have The charity 10
admit, that the supporters of his reelection are
honest IN their preference, and exercise bit con
stnu'ioasi right in vo'lng, for him. | must claim
Inc privilege oil exercI,ins equal freedom of choice
WITHOUT oeing denounced as corrupt factious or
IN any way disturbing the tranquility of The cnun-
try Hts friends and his opponents are fairly at
issue. both as TO his principles and his uualitica
''oDs' Inc baiioi-box is the only umpire in the
case 40 tha' we appeal as right. The result
IS obligatory, aud Involves the correlaiye dutv nj
acquiescence in The will ofthe majority B.forc
Tins umpire is appealed to- 1t cannot be considered
as presumption IN an Individual however humble
10 discuss The subject with candor.
No'hing can be more unjust than to ascribs tbs
present opposition TO the administration 20 srir
II OF disappointment IN the friends OF the unsrc.-
csssiol candidates at the late election Instead of
being animSted by unworthy a feeling. az far -
know OF believe, MIR. a. ,yas the second choice
OF great majority OF the nation, (,boueb NOT
mlne) and TIE opposition, now so much traJuced.
was sincerely disposed to Judge him i,u osrtiajlg nv
DIS principles and conduct and ibey regret the
necessity which compsls them TO withd,aw from
MN the portion OF confidence that had been ia
spiTed By his acknowledged acuuil enents & long ex.
PeIience IN the councils Of the nation Di.,ip-
su'sneu' as ne unquestionably is, in literature,
WIN good private character; known abroad. and
having enjoyed the best oppofuniiies of beco,cino
familiar with The duies of the high station 20 ,hcb
he "as called, It was fsndiy hoped tina, he ,vould
make US good President; that he would strive 10
coneiase the conflicting opinions and interests OF
tblS vide spread country, by removing, as far "a
he could, every cause OF sectional jealousy. and
avoiding every unnecessary declaration of opinion
"Poh constitutional Questions that can never be
settled, but BY amendments 10 that inslfu,ne.;
Whatever his own opinions might be in relation 10
many Of the great subjects that had so long divided
aho sshSied the country, II was expected that il
ne adYerted TO theD at all In the speculatious q,
MS hrst Message, u would be only to )int out
their importance, and 10 recommend The only sat.
IsIac'oTJ way Of putting them 70 rest forever The
Save ques ION, roads and canals, and the IS hoi,
is' oil constructive and implied powers, The exer
else oil which, 10 the extent commended for bv tb.
party, TO which he has since attached himself
completely changes the character OF the govern.
mehl IRON one OF enumerated and lmiieu powers
20 one Of general powers were all fit subjects 70,
new president, 10 refer TO the people ior an ex
preston oil their opinion IN such a form, az 10 mi
an ED to further strife about them; and perhaps
thereby prevent the most disastrous occurrence .
Inc quiet Of his own administration and tie per.
mansns prosperity and happiness OF bis country
seemed alike TO point to this course.
ihe'e expectations, ! repeat, were confidently
INDUCED But, bow have they been mel? lie
hrs Inaugural address and his first message TO Con.
sIeSs answer In the progress Of our experiment
OF y Wruten Contributions" embarrassing diff
cui'les nae sprung up 10 the extent OF power
conferred ~ he Constitution. The country wa,
agitsIed and divided in relation to them men who