Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-08-28
From, the Richmond Hhig.
TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.


: eiyen the strongest pledges ola wise and faith
fuYadminis,ralion Of the duties that belong 10
the Presidency? What constitutes pledge, Q,
the character rsferred to? Qualifications and
services. the quuh feaiions Of the two have al
ready beenInut in contrast, and il is fearless y
assumed d. mo unprsjudiced mind will hest
tate in giving tae preference TO Adams. Let us
now see howathe account stands between them
as to services.
In reference to the office for which they are
. named, can there be doubt as "a the superior
services Of Mr. Adams? For forty years, with
but short interval, he has been engaged ID
those public employments, abroad and al home,
which were best calculated from their nature TO
render him familiar with the official duties OF
President. Jackson's pursuits, on the contra
nv. have been such as to exclude him from a
practical knowledge Of those duties; ard at the
age uf sixtv j, is too late to commence the &C
QUESTION ofthat knowledge. IL Jackson gain
ed the battle Of New Orleans, Adams has serv-
eG.you faithfully for forty years. Shall the for
tunate rcsul, Of battle, the fruit Of few weeks
services, outweigh in the judgments OF the PEG
nile of VIRGINIA whole life OF useful labors in
important civil stations? Ifthis be the scale Of
rewards. farewell To Peace and lis blessings!
How foolish for man To devote his life 10 the
,oilsome drudgcry of civil duties! Let him at
once buckle on his armour and draw his sword,
Stree il is TO that, and that only, he must look
TO win the appreciation Of bis fellow citizens.
But are we yet prepared 10 avow this perniolous
doctrine? The psrtizans OF jackson carefully
avoid all discussions on principle. They con-
tent themselves with shouting "Hnzza for the
Hero!"-My fellow citizens, wisdom and ex-
(, nerience have left Us homely bu, a valuable
adage, /" Let ,reii enough Goas" You have al
ready had the benefit Of an actual trial Of Adj
ans. Why dismiss him to Try another? In the
result, YOU mag lose but cannot win. DO you
play this losing game in private life? answer
for you, no.
gu, YOU are not satisfied with Adams. Why?
pass over now the foul calumny Of his getting
into Office ey "bargain, intrigue and manage
ment" If the Coordination thought they could
balance that account al present without loss TO
themselves, ! ampersuaded they wouldbe glad
TO compromise. No man who respects his
own character, or your justice and detestation
ofunmariy persecution, will ever again recur to
this ground of objection This, then, removed
what are your other objections to Mr. Adams!
% He has recommended, you, say, slight houses
Of the skiesi" In plain language, an Observable
". That is, Jefferson having caused all the
instruments necessary for such an establish
ment to te procured al an expense OF some III
ty Thousand dollars, Adams recommends the
building of ho1se, 10 cost about ten thousand,
IN order 10 render the instruments available, &
thereby relieve US from the colonial badge ot
looking TO England fer our astronomical SCI
ence. He mas recommended the establishment
ofan University in the District. Washington,
with the consent Of Congress, selected and set
apart in the city Of his name site for that pur-
nose: and Jefferson and Madison recommended
its Improvement. He is a friend 10 Internal
Improvement Jefferson and Madison both
declared that the exercise Of this power would
have the happiest influence in preserving the
Union The latter in 'e6 recommended its ex-
ercise in the establishment Of national road
: through the whole extent OF our country from
north to south; and the former did actually ex-
ercise it in the great road from east 10 west
Congress have in hundred instances done the
same. The people of the United States who
made the Constitution, have so interpreted ii
over and over again. Think you they will have
President who differs from them? IL ma
jority Of the American people should even be
wrong, who pray, is TO sit in Judgment on
them? The minority? Reason and the Con-
stitution both proclaim that the majority shall
decide, and that their decision shall be sover.
eign. But Adams claims authority by dipine
right So al least says Governor Giles.
Alas Virginia, how have you fallen! The time
has been that when you spoke or acted, your
sister States offered their spontaneous respect
Your prudence, your dignity and your pa,ro-
,ism, stood sponsors for this homage. But
how is it now? Your Governor with wilful
purpose descending to a grovelling misrepre-
seniation Of the words Of the Chief Magistrate
Of the United States-and with an lmpious
mockery seeking 10 pervert simple declara-
ton OF his respectfor the solemn obligation of
his official oath, into foolish and reasonable
assumption Of power.-Let us,my fellow eiti.
aens. relieve ourselves from the im2utation OF
participating in this abasing &C; by an indig-
nant frown on its author
What other objection has been urged against
Mr.. Adams? That he has said, that ne has
power to appoint Ministers during the recess
Of the Senate. So said Washington: so said
Jefferson, and so said Madison and Monroe
and they sIcCased the power-rhe Senate OF
the United States, on argument, deciding thai