Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-10-03
THE COALITION.

To J. Sergeant, Manuel Eyre, Laurence Lc,ris
C. Z. Bidde, and Joseph u. Norris, Esqrs
authors Of an .4ddress adopfed at the adj
mlniStrdfion to,Sn meeting of the TM july.
LETTER Y.
GENTLEMEN: The question, that we are con-
sdering, is, whether Gen. Jackson has, or has not,
qualifications, besides those Of a military kind
you say he has not, and we aver that he has To
prove his uniitness for the presidency you insist,
that long and useful service of a similar kind is
indispensable, and that Gen. Jackson has had no
/. such service-on the contrary, you say, he has
not held civil Offices long, or with distinction
this Is the substance OF Your assertions. We
have already shown the pernicious tendency of
your succession argument; we shall now expose
its failacy, and show the stations Gen. jackson
has filled and what has been the character that he
has established.
At what period. since the era Of independence.
were high qualifications most necessary, Was it
not, when the heaving of the political waves still
told, that tie storm Of the revolution was scarcely
over! Was it not, when the light Of the cons,itu-
Uon scarcely beganio dispel the gloom Of the con-
iederacy! Was il not, when the national bark for
ihe first time iloated upon the sea of experiment /?
II such was the crisis, most pregnant with events
auG most productive oil anxiety, whom did the peo-
pie take as their pilot! Where were then those
cabinet bred ministers, who, alone you say, have
lie requisite qualifications Where were the men
who had been ambassadors 10 kings, and who had
found their way through the labyrinths Of dipo-
macy Franklin existed-he was one of the glo-
ioundly versed in public affairs as he was distin-
gushed in the walks of science and literature-he
was remarkable for an intimate knowledge of hu-
Inan nature, and capacity to apply his various ac-
quirements to the affairs Of States as well as those
OF individuals-he had rendered the most signal
services, in the highest civil departments--yei in
preference 10 this patriot, statesman, philosopher
and sage, the American people selected " a mere
soldier" as their President You tell the people
that they should initiate the example Of the heroes
ft,aft Iox
were competent to decide upon the qualificati
OF a candidate-what, then, was their decision,
They were almost all living III 1850, all were ac-
tive in that trying period, and of al! men they pre-
ierred Washington, whose prominent merit was
his success as a military communicable had not
lad the advantages OF classical education-he had
not filed any civil station whatever-he had bare
Jy acquired knowledge of surveying, of farming
and oil "tbe trade Of a solder"-he had never troll
den upon a foreign SOLICIT TO him the eyes and
the hearts of the people turned as their favorite.
viii you, gentlemen Pretend that if Washington
had not been &" military ciieftah" such would
lraye been the result! Can you aver, that Wash
ington had any of the civil qualifications which YOU
now say are essential, and not TO be acquired with.
ont long service Of n similar kind!
fortunately, Washington himself declared the
ruth Oh the goth April, 1889, Oh taking the oath
Of Office as President, after expressing his reluc-
lance at being called frofo his farm, the asylum of
ais declining years, he said: on the other hand
the magnitude and difficulty Of this trust to which
tie voice Of my country called me, being suir-
ciont 10 awaken, in The wisesi aud most experienc-
cd OF her citizens, disirustiu scrutiny into his
qualifications, could but oycrwilelm with des-
Jondence, one who inheriling inferior endowment
from nature, aud unpr1cfisedin ne duties Of cipii
administration, ought 10 be peculiarly conscious
Ql his own deficiencies. in Ibis conflict Of emo
lions, all dare is, that il has been my faith
iuI study TO collect my duty from a just apprecii-
zion Of every circumstance, Ivy which It might be
affected"
Such was the oval Of the individual chosen
the iirst President Of this republic, a person IN
pfaesed IN the duties Of civil ADMINISTRATION
idct wen known az tae time 10 the people, ~ the
reply oil Oelr Representatives in ongress declared.
You have long" said they, " held the Gfst
place ~ the peoples esteem: you have often re-
ceIved TOKENS d their affection SOU possess the
only proof thst femsincd Of their gratitude for
yGsf services"
Wbdt past services, not thosc &C a csbi-
net fninister-not those Of on atnbassador--tot
ihose Of - tried and approved ststesnan"- not
services Oi Sivil kind, but those Of " soldier
WAS the republic Disappointed Was Wash
Io9Ion found incompetent at such a crisis why
should not General Jackson be competent now!