American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-05-18

mendations to the confidence Of the public, three
years ago. he stood candidate for the FIRST once
within its gift There was no immediate cholce
made by the people. The contingency then arose,
contemplated by the constitution OF the Unitea
States, and the appointment OF President devoiV-
ed on the House of Representatives. IN inc c'ea,
exercise Of constitutional power, he was elevated
to the Chief Magistracy.
Disappointment and mortified pride in portion Of
the friends, of defeated candidates, soon produced
in high degree, their usual results; no stone was
left unturned to effect revolution in public opin-
ion, but fortunately for the country, the eort mas
completely failed. Corruption was fercely char
ged against those who fulfilled the meaning OF the
great charter of our hberties by choosing the per-
son best qualified for the office OF Presidents pre-
sented to their selection. An opposition indlscr'in
mate in the objects Of its hostility was instantly
commenced against men and measures, and the
nation was loudly called on to visit on the head Of
patriot, the alleged impolicy Of the constitutional
provision under which he was elected. NO s0phls-
try could disguise from the thinking and intelligent,
that the obvious remedy for the evil did any EXIST
the repeal of such provisions and not the change
of the officer. The people, however, through the
collected wisdom of their representatives, chose to
pronounce different judgment on the subject, and
actually to continue in force the very offensive
section of the constitution of the union.
The axiom is familiar to US all, that the people
can declare through what instrumentaity they will
act and, that the act Of the constituted agent is
valid as that Of the principal. He, therefore, who
is appointed by the tribunal consttutionaly vested
with the power Of election, is manifestly the peo-
Plies choice. The refusal to continue MIR. Adj
ans in office, cannot, consequently as pretended,
settle any principle. The people spoke through
their legitimate organs, and to refuse their sura-
yes on a second election. would prove va change
Of sentiment in relation TO the individual, and
not change Of the principle of action. Had it
been intended, that a plurality of electoral votes
should make president, reference Of the choice to
the enlightened mind of one branch Of Congress,
would have been but an idle moekery. 1t would
have been call upon them in the supposed I'M
certainty OF public opinion, to decide that which
had been already determined.
On Mr.. Adams undertaking the duties Of the
Presidency, the same inveterate spirit OF denun-
citation, watched every movement Of the Executive
with jaundiced eye, challenged every motive, and
discoloured every act with the hues OF intolerance
II was deemed corruption in HIN to invoke to his
aid. the great Champion of liberty in two hemis-
pheres" whom his predecessor had, without re.
proach, desired to engage as member OF his cabi-
net. 1t was deemed corruption in him, to single
out for an auxiliary, one whom the House of Re-
idu Itpcdlcult Cdlitu u picSlut DSel
its Legislation. 1t was deemed corruption in him,
TO enlist talent from every quarter, without regard
ing the inyidious distinctions of party for the pur-
pose of arraying the government Of the United
states with that intellectual force and respectable.
", calculated to inspire esteem abroad and ensure
/ wise administration Of our national concerns at
home.
Charges like these find their refutation IN the
sober sense Of patriotic community. and. the in
purity of that zeal becomes unequvoca which
resortcd to every device of legislative chicanery to
slte the voice OF sympathy for our sister republics
in the Southern portion of this continent, and to
impede the execution Of that noble scheme of poll.
cy embodied in the objects of the Panama mission
The views by which it was dictated were obvious
to the country at large. They we're to improve
and perpetuate our commercial relations with those
rising governmcnts-to foster the spirit Of cnisht-
ened liberty which animated their infant nstitu
tions-to assume before the world, the attitude of
a great conederacy Illustrating in its history, con.
dltlon and conduct, the wistlon of the princinIes
IN which it was founded: and to demonstrate its
desire to see other nations of the cal tn in the full
OF similar felicity. These Just and Gle
waited views triumphed, and their triumph was
cheered from every quarter Of the Uniou.
No less signal was the victory of the admnistra
ton, with the people, in the Georgia controversy
mere were not wanting, on that occasion, those
who would have rejoiced at conflict between the
general and state government, in order to take
the chances OF some assalabe error of our rulers on
which opposition might rise with spine show ofl
principle, ant. some plausible pretext for weaken
ing the coincidence ct tine nation in their public
agents. The boastings of the pctulant and imbe
Gle governor OF that state arc no longer heard. or
regarded as deserving rather a smile than serous
On the other hand, the promptness
energy and wisdom Of the President ia the official
ryecntion of the laws Of the Union, have been 70.
y a. ded with the general appreciation Of the coun.
try. 80"
great majority of the people is satisfied with
the Executive. Agriculture, Commerce, Manufac.
ha