American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-10-16

,,,as.er.v essays SAGE addresses the people of
Virginia on telr dearest nterests-on the prospect
hefme them-on that real and no longer fictitious
crisis, that Is impending over public atlars-on the
best means Of saving public berfy-anh We trust.
for the sake Of the Republic. that the people VIII
hear MIN for his cause, ii not tor himself.
To THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.
NO. H.
inv t;ist number eneIcavorel to trace the
present disturbed state of society to the effort to
nlace General Jackson in the Presidential chair
II point out the influence OF that nhrmity OF our
nature which leads us to pay blind devotion 70
military renown--to show from history the fatal
effect, Of such devotion IN all the ancient republics.
an, TO remind YOU Of the last solemn warning OF
jefferson. elected from him by the lnatuatlon OF
his cnuntrvmen in relation to this tary cileltaln
shall now proceed to present other views on this
interesting subject.
The question forcbly suggests itself, what cor
responding benefit. for all the mischief produced by
the attempt to elect Jackson, is hoped for. should
the attempt slrceedl For if no benefit is expected
can there be greater folly. to say the least. than to
disturb the quiet Of twelve millions Of people for
the degrading purpose OF paving homage to sue
cessful soldier The mere name oil the man who
shall be president is an Insignificant object. The
Importance OF the question. who shall NIL the office.
consists not IN the name but in the qualifications
~
alread, given bv the individual, that ne will faith
fully and wisely administer its high functions and
what. in general view. will be the effect OF the
election Of this or that individual on the interests
If the Republic. These are the considerations
which every unpreudced mind should examine be.
fore decision is made,
What benefit. then. to the Republic is expected
70 result from the election Of Jackson Even some
Of Ills active parsans admit. that they support him
Es,,, l,utfr lnc III f,,Af AL
Can there be "a doubt that majority of the Amer
iean people ALWAYS have been, and now are, OPP
posed to his election !-and that il he succeed il
this second attempt, it will not be because he i
deemed worthy OF the appointment but because
Adams is thoughtunworthy? Why is it thatso large
portion OF the people who acknowledge the unfit
ness and incompetence Of Jackson. still unite II
supporting him Z Are We indeed. 50 destitute o
citizens capable Of filling the Office, that we mus
submit to the degrading alternative Of electing
man 80 generally admitted TO be unqualified: l.
there not independence enough among US to free
ourselves from the dilemma, or must we tamely sub
nit to the eamorous dietation Of few nd yduai,
who arroganty proclaim that Jackson must be the
only competitor to the present incumbent, aud who
ienouncc as traitor or intrguer every citizen who
is independent enough TO inquire whether we are
really reduced 50 low as to be confined to the
choice Of two individuals Whatever ma, be III,
u
contest is to be between Adams and Jackson.
1t becomes then, the solemn duty Of every free
man to compare, or. to speak more correctly, I,
contrast their respective pletensions to our sup
port.
It may be worth while TO fix, in the beginning o
this inquiry what the proper qualifications 70
this first office in the gift VI man. When thes
shall be established. it will be an easy matter Il
measure the respective merits of the candidates
H.. 20 Al Al Al
standard Of merit it will be fashioned from what h
s. and not from what he should be.
He who aspires to the Presidency. should pos
sess character for integrity above suspicion. i
mind well endowed by nature. should be adde
cultivation to experience in political affairs, whic
can only be attained hy long service in situation
favorable TO its requirement. In private and j
public life, he should have given proofs Of his res
pect for the laws and constitution Of his country
he shauld have shown himself under various Gil
cumstances master OF himself, capable Of subduil
his passions to wholesome restraint, lest in SON
ungOyernahle paroxvsm. he commit the peace
the nation, OF offer violence to the constitutions
In fine, 1t should be well ascertalned that he ha
learned how to govern himself, before he is Ell
trusted with the government of others.
Is there rejecting man in the community wi
will deny that these are indispensable Guaifc;
tons in a candidate for the Presidency ? Before v
OF the individuals, to whom our choice is confine
approaches nearest to this standard. In priva
lite, aptudent man would not need advice to inqu
into the qualifications OF one whom he was abo
TO employ IN the management OF his affairs +
would look for an agent among those whose exp
Eience and capacity were suited to the duties to
performed. lie would take care to select the be
he could obtain. Is it not species of treas,
against liberty, itself. tobe less socious about d
nt a 10 oil ~ ~,
Presidency. when, on his fitness essentially llepel
the best interests of this great Republic Let
then. try the two candidates by the standard
greed upon.