Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-11-19

Courthouse on the 5th day oil November, 1877,
for the purpose Of adopting measures TO give
effect to their opinions and votes in the choice
of Electors for the next President and VICE
President of the United States
q The Hon. WILLIAM a. G. DADE was called
10 the Chair, and MoRDEcAI b. SINCLAIR APP
pointed Secretary to the meeting.
And, upon the motion of Capt. John Macrae,
twas Resolved, Tina, Committee Of Eve be APP
pointed to prepare preamble and resolutions
in conformity with the objects above indicated;
and, thereupon, Capt. John Macrae, Col. VIM,
Hebb. Col. Barnaby Cannon, Capt. John Hooe,
and Laurence G. Alexander, Esq. were APP
po,n,ed the said Committee who retired TO con-
slider of their duty, and after some time return
ed, and presented the following preamble and
resolutions, which were read and UNANIMOUSLY
adopted by The meeting:
II is now apparent that the choice Of the next
President of the United States, is, by the pre-
sent peculiar and extraordinary crisis, confined
10 two individuals. In this view OF the ques-
ton, and without meaning to express our un-
qualified appreciation Of the men, or measures,
of the prescott Administration, we have, after
calm. impartial and deliberate survey Of the
considerations which should govern our choice,
formed the opinion that the welfare OF the Unit
ed States would be best consulted by the re-
election OF Mr. ADAMS. Although we are free
10 admit that he is not without exception, we
consider him man of distinguished talents
and attainments, approved patriotism, and un-
sullied int gritty; profoundly veised in our laws,
and intimately acquainted with our foreign anG
domestic policy: and he has, for nearly forty
wears, filed, with credit and effect, important
puhlic stations. at home and abroad which,
whilst they manifested the confidence OF his
countrymen and Government, eminently cons
duced to qualify him for the Chief Magistracy
ofrhe Union. We do mol, indeed, approve all
his measures, foreign or domestic; nor do we
concur in the latitude OF his speculative constl-
tudonal doctrines: but we cannot discern that
he has done more than pursue the course indi-
Gated, fer series of years, by preceding admit
nis,rations, and by decided majority of the
People through their Representatives in Con-
erexs, after repeated discussions and mature
deliberations; we can expect no change Of that
course from his competitor, who has sanction.
ed it by his declared opinions and legislative
yoles, and who has been pledged 10 It's support
by his party; and il is conceded that, IN the pre-
sent state Of public sentiment, no candidate for
the Presidency, promising such change, could
be elected, as is obser, able in the awkward
zeal with which those in Virginia who SUPP
port General Jackson's pretensions, but OPP
pose his principles, labor, for the purpose
OF effect clsew here, 10 screen him from the
charge Of dereliction OF those ,inciples. What
benefit, then, can we attain by change OF
the present Administration of the Government
Tor others who profess the same principles, and
who will pursue the same measures!
In this political ejectmen', IL equally accords
with reason and justice, that the claimant
should rely upon The strength OF his own title,
and not upon the weakness Of his adyersary's;
and, il is in vain that he urges the dement's OF
Mr. Adams, or his Administration, unless he
can furnish evidence Of his own superiority.
What, then, are the muniments Of his title? OF
General Jackson we are disposed to speak, as
we think, with great respect; much more than
was entertained three years ago by most OF
those in Virginia who now support him, and
will hardly tolerate our opposition TO him.
We consider him an honest man, true pa
trio,, ana an illusIrious military commander;
and we view with equal gratitude and admira>.
ton the signal services he has rendered to his
country at the head of her armies; especially in
his last extraordinary achievement, by which
he saved City from pollution aud rapine, aud
State from conquest; aud slded and illumina-
ted with the brightest beams ofglory the clouds
and gloom which had overspread our political
horizon Our objection TO General Jackson is,
simply, tina, he is not qualified for the station
to which he aspires. We do not regard mill
tary service as disqualification for civil office;
but we are of opinion that great soldier may
be an Indifferent, or even dangerous statesman;
and that General Jackson's victories are no bet
ter evidence Of his ability to administer the
Government, than Mr.. Adams diplomacy is Of
his talents 10 command an army.
Splendid as his achievements have been, they
have been equalled by men, in his own time, at
home s abroad, whose services, neither Them
selves nor their admirers ever thought reward
able with civil Offices, created for the public
good, and nYt for individual aggrandizement,
and requiring peculiar qualifications, which
they did not possess.
In 1900, the People of the United States pre-
ferred that eminent statesman, Thomas Jeffrr-
SON. (who "never set a squadron in the field,
nor the division of a battle; knew more than