Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-07-28
AN AMERICAN CITIZEN.


From the Eeomans Gazette
Tie PrcsiGsRcy.-So,re observations made in
last saturdays paper, the inpropriey OF giving the
Presidency 10 a distinguished military commander,
simply as REGARD for splendid services. 1t Cb-
served. that the Presidency was NOT Si1ecure. like
the patent Offices in Europe, but that great deal of
iaborous service 10 be performed by the President.
w might have added that the office required for its
proper discharge thorough acquaintance with the
law of nations and the law of the land with the poll.
teal history OF the country, With all its foreign rea
tons, and with all its internal interests aud the pro.
! per way TO advance them.
II is therefore plain that 10 saw that General Andrew
Jackson gained the battle of New Orleans is not Civ
ing good reason why he ought to be President.
Even II were allowed, that the Presidency (nsead
OF being an arduous office, which required preDcra-
ton and Guat ted!oa) nothing but compliment To
| be paid TO brilliant and successful commanders is
1t quite certain that Gen. jackson would be enti-
tied TO #? Were Commodore Perry alive, or Commo-
dore NIcDonough, should say that either of them
had as a'r tile to this honour Gen. Jackson
Had Commodore McDonough been defeated, the
consequences TO that part of tire country would have
been quite as disastrous the consequences of the
capture OF New Orleans would have been But Perry
and ElcDonongh more; they lave gone, we
trust 10 better reward than that Of being appoi.ted
! to an Office which neither was qualified TO eli.
thcre is, however, still surviving gallant officer
oil the last war, who performed achievements which
Tor IFS tne and for the effect it had on the public
feeling, both in Europe and America, was certainly
of as much Importance as the victory of Gen Jscl;
son; we mean Captain Isaac Hull In signalling
HIM, we intend 10 injustice 10 The memoir of Decatur
/ or the tame OF Bain5rdge, Stewart, and the other
skiliul ard gallant commanders Of our little navy
Captain Hull al a moment when the charm of Brit
is naval superiority unbroeD; when the British
navy, sHeied with the spoils of every European ma.
ne, rode triumphant every sea; when even in our
country the public sentiment very much divided
on the subject of naval Defence and lis best friends
entertained no belief that could cope with the
navy OF England; Capt. Hull at this moment came
into port in the Constitution, with tue glad triinps
that he had in very short space Of time captured
and sunk British frgate, which had been expressly
selected TO go and take the Constitution
What would have been the effect on the public mind
had Capt Hus skill or courage failed bin; and had
the Constitution been captured?
| What the effect of his victory on Europc and mo-
RIGA, other naval ers on the councils Of
the nation, i'll reference naval defence of that
Without TIE least wish o Injustice to Cen JacI n,
who did all that could be one New Orleans by hrava
and able commander it certainly to say tha, Cant
tiulls service important. Cen Jacksou's scr
wee was limited to The preservation OF the City OF New
Orleans, from the horrors Of capturenu doubt imnrneo
boon, 20 be thankfully and honorably Acknowledged
But the treaty of peace already negotiated and srnes
aud on It's way To Washington and by this treaty
captured during the either side, were given nm
Consequently had the British apurcd New Orleans ,hc
must have abandoned it.
Put ii Captain Hull had been defeated At the openo
OF the warf our good old ship the constitutions TO which
the affections of the people hay Justly attached the
with kind of supeStit0us love- had been worgcd. IL @
had been sunk like the Gucrrirrc; or if She had com,
ven back into haibours flying tie foe; or if SHE
had been carried England with the royal Ceor,e
boosted over the stars and stripes, serious
conviction, that the effect la We been more calai
Gus than the capture of New OrIeans.
Captain Hull ten is better entitled to the Presidency
man encra Jackson u.s. on the ground which his
friends exclusively place his prctcnsons We acc1rd;j
nominate nm as PrcSidn cali all who regard
the Presidential Office merely reward TO ev hin, tbcir
votes. We depend on the support OF all Cen Jacksons
friends They cannot be their prncDlcs upIees
they unite TO elevate Captain Hull first Office in the
nations gift.
What the objections him? We are Willing to
argue the subject fairly, and we have il luckily in o,r
power TO give all sufficient answer 10 every possibs
lection that be raised.
Is it objected that Captain HULL is Northern We
answer-he SUM: the Guerrero
Is it objected that Capt. Hull is federalis,2 We rc,
he sunk the Guerricre. ''
Is it objected that Captain Hull though hisb,, re,o,
ed citizen, has that pre-emncnt talent which oL 80
belong to the President of the United States? To this o
have the very sufficient eady--that CAPTAIN IrlI
sunk the Guerrero. "
Is 1t objected, tina, Captain Hall has passed his life in
Tue naval service OF the country has much of his time
ON salt water and is consequently not at home in the
'ine oil Glv dues This objection really amounts to no
thing when you consider-that he sunk the Guerrsro
Is II doubted whether Captain Hull is sufficiently ar
Guantcd with the past history and present statc ~ w
otc'Sn 'eisions This can be no objection, when you
reflect that he sunk the Guerrero. 'N'
Is it uncertain whether Captain Hull c,uId ,,, ,;.
20 the country administer the complicated du,es
MS oce' what matters that, when has sunk the
Is it maintained that Bainbrilre and Stewar, ,rd
ones ana Morris, are also gallant skiu and successful
men; Aye, but they did sink the Guerrero HUI! did
and he shall he The President, and Morris shall be Vice
PRESIDENT Tor he was FIRST Lieutenant of the Constitution
40 word cohure up as many objections you please
against uu''' suppose MN bad man. instead Of good
one, citizen of low rcpuc Instead of bep, man If b
and integriiy-ancy him, if you will feeble, incompetent
ana rresoirte; OF bead-sorg and rash; or norose and
uhaccomnodatins; make him what Won " ill., there
the great answer a-suficen and icSistibche sunk the
fSuerricse. "
We should be glad be Informed wherein his prr,o,,
sons are inferior 10 General tackso'; Has he Ice. r
less conduct less talent, less character: We sincerely
[n'nH ne'i although heartily disposed accord to General
'achson ali mat ms intelligent friends claim for him
simply believe ts hat, bot for tine victory Or New
orleans gained hieen days after close Of the war
cen JACKSON would never have been named as PEST
dent.
We believe that the capture and destruction Of the
circumstances as brilliant IN exploit as General J,cts,5
aa one more important to the people, than the victory Of
MewoHeahs: The consequence is, that Captain Isaac
tuh has prior claim to tie Presidency.