Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-08-21
From the Penn,ySuania Democrat.
10 THE PUBLIC.

" HE p1t1+
The right secured by the constitution.
to elect a Chief magistrate is one a.
mongst many important powers vested
in the people. II is a fundamental prin
ciple of free government, and ought al
all times to be exercised by freemen,
with a cautious and liberal sentiment.
due to so important an occasion. For il
Il be a truth that man from bis very ma
ture, appears destined with the loss Of
his liberty, to part with half his moral
worth and like the unhappy, degenerate
Greek, or the Spaniard Of the South
rendered BY slavery. unable TO enjoy
the blessings of liberty when obtained,
then indeed will the election of a Chief
magistrate be classed among the most
important transactions 10 a Republic, as
tending ultimately to the prosperity and
happiness, or debasment and slavery Of
the people. The historian has 10 vain
recorded the crimes, tho folly, and cor.
ruptioD which have led to the decliae
and ultimate ruin of all free govern
ments, which have preceded our own. If
in this enlightened age we are unable to
profit by their examples The anarchy
and confusion which preceded the down.
fall of every Republic both ancient and
modern are clearly to be traced to bit.
ter and party ieuds excited
by some ambitious and successful militia
.ry chieftain, who sridiug on the whirl-
wind and directing the storm ultimately.
seized upon the liberties Of a distracted
people. and became their unfeeIing ty.
rant and oppressor.
Dur election for a Chief magistrate is
fast approaching. Shall we meetit like
ffeemen, with an eye only to the public
good. and the performance of a duty TO
those VINO are to come after US?
have hitherto felt and expressed a
decided preference for Gen. jackson
over all the candidates which for the last
iour years have been presented to our
choice. But a variety of facts which
have been lately developed, have com
PEELED me to abandon his cause, and
Join with the friends Of Mr.. ADAMS in
support of bis election. II would there
fore appear due not only to myself but
to those with whom l, for four years.
united in sentiment, in relation to the
Presidential election, to state briefly
the reasons which FIRST led to a prefer
for General Jackson, and those
which have lately compelled me to a
bandon his cause and unita with the
friends of Mr. Adams.
My preference for the General prece.
ded the election of DIR. Adams. over
J would have elected him. Ofthe
true character of MI. Adams at that time
J knew but little, and the fame of the
General of whom | knew still less, spread
suddenly over the Union The history
of his life, like the hours told by the
sun dial, were only the bright ones of
day. His temper, his tyranny, and
has crimes were alike unknown to me.
Tie had commanded at the battle of Or |
leans. and defeated The enemy. MY feel
ings became suddenly enlisted in his fa-
vor, and | must confess it was long be-
Tore became convinced that these feel
Ings were in favor of = man in whom the
habltual indulgence of the worst pas.
which inhabit u nature, have SO
Tar extinguished the principles of virtue
as to render him in my estimation total
" unit to rule over a free people
may be asked why I did not sooner
the cause of a man, of whomf
now express SO unfavorable an opinion.
To such would reply that my situation
life did not enable me sooner to col
lect through the medium OF newspapers,
and from other Sources of information,
sufficient evidence to convince my mind
OF many of the truths with which he Is
charged before the public. Even at the
present moment, with a charitable and
liberal feeling towards him, l would