Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-06-11
NO "a.
From the National IatelGgeRcer.
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED
STATES

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 as show his re-elec-
ton highly improbable, or impossible.
They seek to ensure 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 sentiments prevail in another
and distant part, afford facility to this
mode of practising imposition on the
public. The People of New Hampshir,
for example, are assured, hat it is no
longer matter of doubt thar Ohio aud
Louisiana viii vote for the Opposition
Candidate; while the citizens of those
States are surprised, a. the same tune,
hearing it asserted, with a confidence
belonging to real conviction, that not
only New Hampshire, but others, also, Of
of the New England States, perhaps near
y all of them, give satisfactory proof of
having Joined the same cause. Whatever
of cOloring, Of eXaggeratiOn, or, we regret
to add, of unqualified misrepresentation,
this course of policy may require, seems,
hitherto, not to have been found wanting.
Not only are slight and doubtful manifes-
tations Of opinion, when favorable, swoln
into Importance, aud magnifed beyond all
Just degree, ON the one hand; while, on tho
ln .I,
of full popular elections, If unfavorable,
are made to 90 for nothing; but, formal
statements are, also, put forth, sometimes
under the authority OF names, such az are
willing to be appended to them, which arc
known not only to be partial, but to be abb
solutely untrue, by those who have inior-
nation on the subject TO which they relate.
Notwithstanding the general intelligence
of the community, there may be danger
that attempts of this sort, every where
made, and long continued, will produce
more or less of the effect intended. unless
seasonably and properly counieracted.
1t has been deemed expedient, therefore,
on the eve of the adjournment of Congress,
that the friends of the Administration,
throughout the whole Union, should be I'M
formed, from some source, or through some
channel, in which they have confidence,
vhat IS the belief, entertained here. Of the
present state, and the present tendency,
lof public opiaiOaJ and Of the probable re-
suit of the Election.
1t is the purpose of this paper to state
what that belief is; with some reference to
the grounds on which it is founded 1t
proceeds from those who have no motives
which should induce them to mlslead or
deceive, either themselves or others; and
as, from obvious causes, this place IS the
point, at which, at the present moment
the greatest amount Of information on the
subject is concentrated; it has been at
tempted TO consider and compare the vari-
Gus parts of this information attentyely g.
fairly, to Judge ofthe whole correctly, and
to lay the result honestly before the public.
/ That result we have the pleasure to say,
is, in high degree, satisfactory and grati-
fyng. 1t has produced a foil conviction,
that, since the first bursting out Of O9po-
sltion, which was contemporary with tho
election Of 1925, no period has furnished
so strong reasons to expect the reelection
of the present Chief Magistrate, as the
present; and that such reelection may be
now anticipated with a reasonable degree
of certainty.
Ofthe more general grounds which con-
duce to this opinion, 1t is not intended, on
this occasion, to speak at any length; be-
cause they are equally open to the obser-
walton aud judgement Of all All can OBJ
serve, and Judge, whether they be not, at
least in many parts Of the country, a very
altered tone Of feeling towards the Oppo-
sition Candidate; whether there be not the
prevalence Of a more sober temper, in
Judging between him and his competitor;
an increasing reluctance 10 transfer the
! highest public concerns from hands which
have. so far, conducted them wisely and
safely; and growing doubts, and hesitation,
now approaching to alarm, about the pro-
priety Of committing the fortunes Of this
Young Republic to one, no otherwise quail
flied 70 guide it, no otherwise broughtinto
the number Of candidates for the highes,
Office than as having distinguished him
self by a single military achievement.
There would appear, We think, to be indi-
cations Of solemn pause, Of DISPOSE
ton to reflection, not in partizans and zeal
ots, but In the minds Of candid and rea-
soning men, who have hitherto counten-
anced the cause Of that candidate. They
begin TO take counsel Of their better iudg-
ment; to put It 10 their own consciences,
and to inquire, rdat there IS in his talents,
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