American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-10-26
TO The PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.
a

~ IlE. HEOPl.t. OF AlRUlNlA.
No. Y
| The question has been often asked us--and re
ALL have never seen i fairly answered-wh,
Ae seek 70 eject Mr. ADAMS from office at hi
end o Ten IN. contrary to the usage estdbllshp,
fol Washif gfon Jefferson. Madison, and Monroe
each II wn0m Was elected for two terms III,
ference too plainl, to be dawn from our violen
opposition to Adams-since his Administration la.
peen conducted in the true spirit Of his predece,
.ors-is. that he i not Of us not a lirginian
but lanh.ee. If this be really the on, ground o
- opposition, il is far more disAonotaDle to Us
than 70 him.
There is no part Of the Constitution, perhaps
which more fus yindieates the wisdom Of is au-
thors. than the arrangement ui this delicate and
difficult subject. 1t found BY those sages that
the election Of the President, Hho, by his power
Of appointment. was TO be the dispenser OF honnrs
and emo!aments, would be productive Of c0nse-
quences dangerous TO our peace, anil even to the
III, alton Of our free institutions. The term was
therefore properly limited to four years. Usage
came in aid Of the constitutional! provision to re-
elect for second term. While the violence of
eonten,ling parties was diminished by the short.
ness OF the term prescribed by the Constitution,
aud wholesome check reserved to the People
against nlisrule the one hand, on the other. the
usage established by such hish authority offered
rstry nducement to the individual who held that
eminent station, to discharge his duties with fde-
q. % as TO merit reelection; and reelection
~ such cases has seemed TO tnlow as thing Of
course The advantage Of this is, that instead of
one continued conflict between rival candidates
Tor the office, the public mind is permitted to
settle down IN eomposure tor eight years, and for
that period 70 devote itself to the furtherance Of
the business and the interests Of the nation.
What has been the practical result al this usage 7
let every mai. recollection, and our history, an
,@er. On 'he contrary. what has already occurred
IRON TIE eAat nov making 70 depart from this
usage Tile answer 10 THIS viii be found n the
sad condition Of society. as | have endeavored
fAutlN tpdepct il IN my Introductory number. vi
nent excitement beln- necessary to change the
settled usaees OF a country-usages which have
9een founded IN the best feelings Of our nature
the means. OF co1tse. which are resorted to for
that end, are pt tie most improper and indefensi.
De character; and the people become SO accus
toned TO see the panest precepts of morality
distorted aud perverted that they can at last hear
without Indignation the avomal OF the sentiment
that "all's fair in politics for tins has been
ayowed by some Of the Opposition Nor are we
left 70 the charitable conjecture that this is mere
vaporinS. Not many weeks have elapsed Since
foreigner, cherished and honored BY his adopted
country, dared, before an assembly of the PEOPLE
~ the presence OF the constituted authorities Of
one Of the States Of this Republic, and uithout
febahe, TO declare that the time had arrived when
the South must decide whether to submit 10 on
preston or TO separation! In this autlaclty We
see the sage counses Of the Father Of his country
set at nausht. He warned US against the comm.
OF such denagogues, VINO would seek the accom-
Pllshment OF their own schemes by attempting the
dlsnn'on Of the States. WIN you cling to the ad
vice OF Washington, or will you follow this tisor-
CANNING demagngue, this foreign exeter Of sec
tional prejudiees J
But to return to our old and faithful servant. Mr.
Adams. What has he done amiss, that We should
seek e degrade him and promote anotheri Our
Republican friends Of the East rebuke US. and
with some reason, for our se.fshness aud ingrati
tads lhey tell US, that when Jefferson and Mad
lson were besetb by combination like that which
now exists to obstruct the sa!ntary measures Of
their administrations; when some of the most des
perate malcontents then, now, threatened dis
union rather than submit to their Government.
they cordially supported our Virginia Presidents !;
they sustained them with fidelity and zeal and
we passed the per'oas crisis in safety. They say