Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-30


dwell unon The widely known facts Of MIR. Ad-
ans having received, in early life, the best and
most extended education this country could al
ford-of his unvarying habits of reflection ana
study-of his being intimately and PracticaiiS
| conversant with the public measures Oh TINS
country for the last forty years-ot MS nign
rank among the men Of learning OF the world
or Of the pledges which are given In MS UNIFORM
| ly unexce piionable private character, through
out his whole life. But we shall MAINTAIN our
opinions and preference upon puohc GROUNDS d
lone, and upon reasons and views whieh eAciu-
siyev appertain to the prosperity OF the people
and The glory of the country.
| The work of man, however admiranie' Is hc'
cessarily imperfect; and there is no par. OF our
excellent Federative system which inc forecast
of its authors and the rejecting wisdom Of lhosc
who ratified it, thought would be SO 1Reiy III
time 10 endaDger lis existence, as the eieCio" VI
Chief Magistrate. Although ourform oil gov
eminent was in some parts new, anu IN otherS
| ali improvement upon things which MAD exls'eu
before, yet The principle oil an elecu'e Chiei
Magistrate was not new, and whist we were 10
parake of the advantages OF that feature, we
| were unayodaby exposed to some oi the evils
! to which it had been found subjcct-among the
creates. Of which is the train of incidents me-
vilably flowing from the frequent recurrence Of
contests between rival candidates for that high
station Nor did the founders o. the govern
memt expect 10 ward off these evils so much by
the limitations and proportions with which they
| fashioned this part Of the constitution relating
| 10 the appointment Of President, although less
objected 10 than any other part OF that charter.
| They had stronger, and as they thought,
safer reliance upon the sober minded character
Of the people who we're 10 carry i, into effect
in their love Of order, ,heir sagacity to dIscrl-
| inmate, and in their intelligence and 6rmness TO
| resist every thing that had tendency TO i'm
pair he system.
Jealousy, strife, and local feelings are the
dangers against which wc have been particular
ly counsel!ed by our illusrious political Father.
and these, unfortunately, are the probable at,en-
| dants upon contest for the Presidential Chair.
| So long as the selection for this exalted post
| was confined TO Revolutionary worthless, there
was much in the character of our admiration
for those Patriots, as well as in the youthful pu-
rity Of our institutions that forbade these incl
dental evils TO arise. We have now exhausted
that store OF worth. and have come to men near
| er TO our times, who, whatever may be their
merits can never experience the unwonted de-
vorion that was paid to their predecessors.
| Fertile as our country is in the growth OF
Distinguished men, and propilious as our gov.
eminent is 10 display them, the expansion OF
empire, the progress of science, and the in
crease of population must necessarily augmeat
| the number of favorites, and meretorious favor
ties TOO, who will engross the affections and
confidence of their respective sections of coun-
try From the operation of this affection and
confidence, local attachments, and jealousies
and contests will arise, and without check,
the nation will quadrennially be thrown into
| agitation that viii become most Alarming
| To guard against this Impending terror we
] have nothing 10 rely on but the salutary nfu-
ence Of established custom, which, being found.
| ed in wise precaution, in q nation OF inteIi-
gence easily acquires force. The first Pres!-
dent Of the United States having voluntarily re-
tired from Office at the expiration Of his second
term, tina, voluntary retirement has been con-
strued into an example that has been implicit
! ly followed by every successor who had an op,
portunity OF doing so, anFhas been approved
| Of by the People. Under the sanction OF this
usage, will il not be wise and prudent TO estab-
lish The system Of rejoicing Chief Magis>
| traie for second term. exceptin cases, where
the qualifications Of The opponent are known 10
be greatly superior to those Of the incumbent
or, where the course Of administration is palpa-
bly, and fatally prejudicial to the true interests
/ of the country? IN the last case, any change is
| to be sought and any hazard will be worthily
encountered to cxyipguish the existing evil.
| But we demand with frankness. and we ex-
pect to be answered with candor, if such state
Of things, or il such necessity now exists in
our country? Is it even pretended that it does?
Has the Opposition to Mr.. Adams been under
| taken by the friends Of General Jackson, be-
cause it is known that General Jackson posses.
ses all the necessary qualifications for the Pres.
idential Office, in superior degree 10 what Mr..
Adams does? Or because the measures OF Adj
minis,ration are bad, and that they expect such
defects will be remedied by different course
of administration likely TO be pursued under
General Jackson? Or was this Opposition de
termined on anterior 10 the development Of ahy
measure by this Administration? Or did it or
iginate in predetermined intent to eject
man from office, who, Notwithstanding the gen.
orally mild, judeious and able course of his
measures, has been SO unfortunate as not 10
have propilialed those who were resolved never
10 be appcased!
This brings US fairly to the consideration Of