Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-04-16

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particular acquaintance with the puhl;c men
sares and policy of the Government for the
last forty years, his knowledge of the resour.
ccs pnd various interests of the nation. and
INC pieoSes he mas gwen of u steady attach
ment to our political institutions, and rcre-
renee tor the paramount obligation Of the
Constitution. IN the examination of the
Pictehsio1s OF zen Jackson, we have not
ulSCo'efeo, tlat nc possesses, IN any eminea Mt
degree, the talents, requirements or political
principles, suited to the beneficial DISCHARGE
OF the high and Important; duties of Cbicf'
Magistrate of this Republic; and VIC mean
not to withhold from him any lust tribute to
his merits, respect ior his services, or adrni-
ration OF his military success, by the declara-
! ,ion, that but tor the victory of New Orleans,
he never would have been thought of as = fl
person to fill the Presidential chair. In the
civil stations TO which he has been called, he
has never exhibited himself above the level OF
ordinary men, and has been in no wise dis
tinsulshed by the display Of peculiar merit.
lic dazzling power Of military exploits,
should not bcgui,c us into the perilouS espe-
rinent Of cscyatlng 10 the tirst civil office IN
the nation, mere military man, in whose.
public life we have abundant evidence. that
ne possesses an imPctuos!ty Of temper, and
ina!nta!ns Opinions. elnlnenly dangerous TO
civil liberty
When the supporters of Gen Jackson are
required 10 furnish evidence OF his qualifica-
tiohs Tor cIEI office, We arc told, that be hos
hled the Office OF District Attorney, member
,pf the ielnes:i7e Convention, Representa-
I'VE aA,i senator III Congress, Judge Of the
supreme ~ourt OF ie.iioSSGc. again Senator
n Congress. and GoYernor Of Florida. The
f,T.t If,pt 30 ,,li
these several Offices, ought not to be relied
on As atior,!ing evidence of very extraordina-
~ ability, especially whei. ke resigned most
CT thea avorcdiy because he wus ncoinpc-
tent to the discharge Of their duties; and it
Will readily occur to every one, that he has
mad abundant opportunity TO manifest his
pIeten>ions TO civil einfnencc, yet his country
remains unlntormedof single act vliich dis
'hg4isacs him, or erlnces The possession of
QUALIFICATIONS above IHedIOcr.ty. Some me-
inoralh Of his votes and acts, however, have
pcea Preserved, b. no means calculated to
MAINTAIN his claims 10 public tru>t In tie
J eInrSsec Convention, he voted for eXc!u-
ding iroin the Legislature al who were not
trcc!io!sieT5, and il favor Of anneyipg u pro-
p"rtr qualification Ia the right Of suffrage.
2Vhie Governor OF Elor:a. be made aid
passed an ordinance pl1rportng TO provide
tor tic naturalization Of the inhabitants OF
the territory ofEl0r;da. 80 unjust II It's terms
and oppressive II It's opcT:.ti9n:;i Congress
sensible OF the yloiqte,i rights Of the people.
passed an act 10 relieve !ncm, declaring the,
Legislation of Gen. jackson uul! and void
ana dcnoUncins against any person who
%hou!;t attcmp: 80 enforce It, TIE punishment
of fine and lnlpriscnneDt. Nhen Gen
W ashlngton delivered MS last speech to Con-
gre*S, The House ofReprcSe:t. :, tiycs, resolved
that respectful address ouch; - be present
ed t" the President. \ committee for that
purpose VAS appointed, who prepared and
reported an address, approving the admins
traitor OF vs. asiington, and expressing d wish
that his example might be guide 10 MS sac
ces#0rs. William y. Giles. NOW Governor of
Virginia, attempted to prevent the adoption
OF TIE address by tie House, and made {, yio-
lent and IAtc,npcrate speech III condemna-
ton OF the Administration Of Washington,
aud the sentiments contained in the proposed
address. General Jackson was then mem
Der, and one OF twelve who voted first, for Il
distinct proposition to strike ont IT," express
SION Oh a wish that the example OF Washing
ton might be- guide TO his Successors, and
finally, against the entire address.
Our recommendation Of Mr. Adams, and
determination to support him for the Prcsi-
dcncy, in preference to Gen. Jackson, dc
not rcposc exclusively upon our conviction q
his superior qualifications. and the manifest
Hnftness of his rival. Although these con
slderations alone ought, re think, to deter.
mine the choice il favor ofthe reelection o.
the present Chief Magistrate; there are OBJ
ELECTIONS to his competitor, Of another kind
! We approve The general course of policy q
the present Administration, and especially in
relation TO the promotion Of Internal I'm.
pToyemcnt by national means, and the pro
lection and encouragement of agriculture
and manufactures, by the imposition of ado
quatc duties on imports These measures
we believe, are cnincntly calculated tc
strengthen the bonds Of union, and secure
the independence and prosperity Of the ma
ton; and we fear that an abandonment oil
thom would be the consequence of the cleo.
ton Of General Jackson to the Presidency