Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-10-04
33oltttraI.
From the Constitutional Wing.

F'N PAW VI swiftly % TIE GIfLTI
to place Gen Jackson in the presidential chair
10 point out the influence Of thar infrmi,y of
our nature which leads US to pay a blind devo.
ton to military reDown-to show from history
the fatal effects OF such devotion in ell the an.
Gent republics-and to remind YOU of the last
solemn warning of Jefferson, elected from him
by the Iutatuatlon OF bis countrynen in relation
to tins military chlotlaln. | shall now proceed to
present other views on this interesting subject
The question torcibly suggests itself. wha,
corresponding benefit, for all the mischief pro.
duced by the attempt TO elect Jackson. is hoped
for should the attempt succeedi-for If no be
neht IS expected. can there be q greater folly
TO say the least, than to disturb the quiet OF
twelve millions OF people tor The degrading pur
pose OF paying homage TO a successful soldierl
me mere name OF the man who shall be presi
dent IS an insignificant object. The importance
OF the question, who shall fill the office, coz
slsts, not in the name, hut IN the qualifications
Of the man, moral and Intellectual IN the plede.
es already given by the individual, that he viii
faithfully and wisely admins er it's high flnc.
uons-and what N a general view will be the
effect OF the election OF this or that ind.yidus'
on the interests Of the republic. These are the
considerations which every unprcjudiced mind
should examine before a decision is made.
VIVA benefit, then, to the republic is expect
ed to result from the election of Jackson f.
ven some of his active partisans admit, that they
support him not from principle, but from host
lily 10 Adams. Can there be a doubt that a ma
jorlty OF the American people always have been
and now are opposed TO his electlon'-and tina,
if he succeed in this second attempt. it will MOI
be because he Is deemed worthy Of the appoint
ment. bu, because Adams is thought unworthy
Why is It that SO large a portion of the people
ypIa orb M xylalnn H. .aE,...a II -. -
tency OF Jackson, s'ifl unite in supporting bins
Are we indeed so destitute OF citizens capab 4
of filling the office, that we must submit to the
degrading alternative of electing a man so &c
morally admitted TO be unqualified? Is there no.
independence enough among us to free ourselves
from the dilemma, or must we tamely submit
to the clamorous dlctation of a few individuals
who arr0gaatiy proclaim that jackson must be
the only competitor to the pre- sent Incumbent
and who dehounce as a traitor or intrigier eve.
ny citizen who is independent enough To inquire
whether we are really reduced go low as to b.
confined to the choice OF ivy individuals? Wha.-
ever may he the reason, 1t seems to be irreve.
cab,y fixed, that the contest is to be between
Adams and Jackson.
II becomes then the solemn duty of every
freeman to compare, or to speak more correct
ly, to contrast, their respective pretensions TO
wa 'blIf'1's hhhAF ~ "hltii NiifC w ht th
the beginning of this inquiry, what are the pro
per qualifications for this frs, office in the eft
Of man. When these shall be established, it
will be an easy matter to measure the respective
merits of the candidates. But if we frs! select
the man, and then erect a standard Of merit, it
will be fashioned from what he is, and not from
what he sb ould be.
He who aspires to the presidency. should pos.
sess a character for integrity above suspicion -
To a mind we'll endowed by nature. should be
added cultivation, experience in political affairs.
winch can only be sttaintd by long service IN
situations favorable to its requirement.. In pr.
vaie and IN pubic hfe. be should have given
proofs OF his respect for the laws and Cons ltu
ton of his couetry-he should have shown HIM.
self under vsrlous clrcuInstanc, s master of him
self, capable of subdnlng his passions to whole
some restraint, les IN some ungoverBabie pa
roxysio, be COMM, the peace of the nation, or
otter violence to the Constitution. In fine, il
should ne well ascertained that he had learned
how to govern himself. before he is entrusted
With the government OF others.
Is there a rehectng man in the community
who will deny that these are Indispensable quail.
ificalions in a candidate for the presidency Be.
tore We hurry away to a decision, then let us
inquire which of the individuals, 10 whom our
choice IS confined, approaches nearest to this
standard. In private life, a prudent man would
not need advice TO inquire into the q~ualihca
tions of oae whom he was about to employ 10
the management ofhls affairs. He would look
for an agent among those whose experience and
capacity were suited to the duties to be pertor-
med. He would take care to select the best be
could obtsir. Is it not a species of treason a.
gainst liberty itself, TO be less soicitous about
the election OF a properly qualified citizen to III
the presidency, where on his fitness essentially
depend the best interests 0 fthis great repu'hcf
Let us then try the two candidates by the stan
dard agreed upon.
To begin with Mr.. Adams. His character for
integrity, and all the moral qualities has never
been arraigned even by the bItternessot party.
His worst enemies have not denied TO him an ~.
tellectOf the highest order, with an expert
ence. the result of more than thirty years en-
ployment in the public service, in situations the
most favorable for acquiring it, 10 which ne
was honorably called by Washington, and every
succeeding president. Cool and deliberate, no
instance has occurred either in bis private or
public life, of his committing an imfractlon oil
the law: he has been guilty of no insolent def-
ance of the Instructions OF his sdperiors. nav
ing learned TO govern himself, he may be safe
ly entrusted with the government OF others
How will Gen. Jackson abide a comparison
with this characteri l wish TIA speak OF hum
not only without malice but with all due
respect Were it not for his pretenttons TO an
office, for which neither nature nor education
designed hIm, and his election TO whlch-how
ever some others may have changed their oPln
ions in that regard-I still think would ne "a
curse to his country" I would gladly ASSIST IN
holding the veil over his defects. But having
undertaken 10 present a correct view TO my