Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-06-04
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES

~ IHE fEVfLEo VI i he UNl FD - j n Els.
One part of the policy Of those who srivc by what
ever means, To prevent the reelection Of the present
Chief Magistrate of the Union, is, TO subdue The
hopes and discourage the efforts Of his friends and
supporters, by such representations Of the state OF
public feeling. show his recollection highly impro
bable. impossible. They seek to insure victory,
by raising a shout that victory is already won.
The great extent Of the country and the difficulty
OF accurately knowing, in one part what sertimens $
prevail in another and distant part, afford facility to
this mode of practising imposition the public The
People OF New Hampshire, for example. are assured,
that il is no longer matter Of doubt, that Ohio and
Louisiana will vote for The Opposition Candidate;
while the citizens of those States surprised, at
the same time, by hearing 1t asserted, with conf
dence belonging TO real conviction, that not only
New Hampshire, but others, aso OF the New En-
gland States. perhaps nearly all Of them, give sais-
factory proof OF having joined the same cause. What
ever OF coloriDg, Of exaggcration we regre. to
add, OF u1qualihed misrepresentation, this course Of
policy may require, seems, h'iherto, not to have
been found wanting. Not only slight and doubt
ful manifestations OF opinion when favorable, swon
into importance, aud mapn'fed beyond all just de-
gree on the one hand; while, on The oher The more
clear aud decisive results Of full popular elections, il
unfavorabc. made to go for nothing; but, formal
statements also, put forth, sonnet INES under the
authority Of names, such are willing to be append
ed them, which are known not only to be partiaIp
bu, TO be absolu'ey ur, by those who have inior
nation on the subjects to which they 'eIa,c.
Notwithstanding The general intelligence of the
community, there may be danger, that attempts OF
this every where made, and long cont nued, will
produce less OF the effect intended, unless
seasonably and properly counteracted.
II has been deemed cxpedieni, therefore, on the
oithe adjournment OF Congress, that the friends
ofthe ad administration, throughom, the whole Union.
should be informed, from some source, or through
some channe', in which they have confidence, ctat
is the belief entertained here, Of the present state,
and he present tendency of Pubiic opinion; and OF
the probable result ofthe election.
1t is the purpose ofthis paper to state what that
belief is; with some reference to the grounds Oh
which it is founded. 1t proceeds from those who
have no natives which should induce them to mis-
lead decavn, either themselves others; and as,
from obvious causes, this place is the point at ch,
at the present moment, the greatest amount of infor-
nation on the subject rs conce nirated; II has been
atempttd To consider and compare the various parts
ofthis information aitentivcly and airy Judge oi
ihr wh"e correctly, and to lay the result honestly
before the puhlic. That result, have the pleasure
10 sly. in a high degree satisfactory and grlnfy
ing 1t has produced !u'l conviction. that, since
tho first bursting out Of Opp sition, which con-
temporary with the election OF 1925, n" period has
furnished so strong expect the reelecti
OF The present Chief Magistrate. as the present; and
that such recollection may be anticip with
reasonable degree Of certainty.
OF the more general grounds which conduce to this
opinion. is not intended. this occas on to speak
AZ any length; because they equally op"s to The
observation and judgmtn NJ of ALL All can observe,
and Judge, whether there he not, at least in many
paris OF the country, very altered tone cf feeling
towards The Opposition Candidate; whether there be
not the prevalence oi sober temper, IN jidg-
ing between him and his competitor; an increasing
reluctance to transfer the highest public concerns
rom hands which have, far, conducted thcm wisely
and safely; and growing doubts aud hesitation, now
approaching to alarm, about the proprie'y Of com
mliting ,he fortunes ~ this young Republic to one,
no otherwise qualified to guide il, no otherwise
| brought into the number Of candidates for the
highest off:e than having distinguished himself
! by a sngle military achievement. There would
| appear, we think, TO be Indications Of a solemn
pause, OF disposition reflection not in partsans
aud zealos, bu in the minds Of candid and
men, who have hitherto countenanced the cause o.
that candid,te. They beg in /" take counsel OF ,hcii
better Judgment; to put it to their own couscieuces
and to inquire. ,chat there is in his faients, in h
cirH experience, IN his character. and ia his TEN
per, so highly fitting him for The situation Joy
which he is proposed, as TO justify the experiment
| ofa change?
| But, not dwelling on these general indications, il
is the immediate purpose Of this Address to I,
| particulars; and to exhibit, with some detail, tha
view ofthe subject which has led to the belief above
expressed.
In presenting this view, the object will be, t.
hold out general and vague encoura agement; not I,
show that the present President may be re .elccte,
| by a large majority; but to state the grounds oi
and that, consequently, he wi be reelected. This
is the first object. Some observations may then b.
properly made the doubtful, though less in,
question, Of the amount Of that majority
tho extent to which it may be carried, under avora
bic occurrences, and by events mol improbable.
In favor Of the reelection of present President
may be rcckoned then, in the first place, the entir
votes Of the following States; viz: all the States
New England, New Jersey, Delaware, Ohio, In
diana, Missouri and Louisiana. Whether we re
gard the representation of these States in Congress
or their Legislatures at home, or appeal to any ohe
Just mode OF ascertaining the sentiments Of their pee
pie, the result equally justi6es this opinion.
To the votes Of these States is next to be added
majority Of those Of Maryland. Here, again, W
think, there is little danger Of mistake; since tina
State lies contiguous, and information from ever
par, Of il is full and particular Thus far, tn
cSe,putation Is accompanied with as much certaint
, as can well belong 10 such questions.
The next object Of inquiry is Kentucky. II Is we
known that Opposition has made Kentucky one gres
theatre Of its active and vigorous operations. II hs
sought to avail itself OF her locality, Of her vicinity
the Head Of the parry, Of her natural partiay for
Southern candidate, the warm and generous cha
scter Of her citizens. i6clining them to deere
vi en,i usiasm towards military distinct ION; and
mas sriiully connected Itself, also, with preexistn
State parties, and internal controversies and rva
ships. These means. however, have not been deem
ell alone sufficient to promise success. The dra'
. ing Of of Kentucky RON an administration who's
4 | measures have gwen her citizens much geper
satisfaction, and the anaying her with those who,
8 are known 70 be essentially different from her owl
. has justly been thought object Of no easy ausi
rpe0t. She hal, herself participated in th, eectio
uf the President, IN ths last resort anu OF h,
own citizens, the candidate who had received eli b