Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-01-08

faithful services of that distinguished gentleman;
OF the purity OF his life, the splcndor OF his ab-
ties, or OF the soundness and integrity OF his Po-
lical principles. Of his infinite superiority, ia all
these respects, 10 either of The opposing candi-
dates, there can hardly q prccImc,) be doubt.
am willing, at all events, 90 leave the question
without argument. 10 the decision OF your Conven-
ton; or, if you prefer il, 10 Washington jury,
made up OF the Aduliiii;,I alton and its most devo
ted adherents, on the ono side, and of Gen. Jack
son, and the leaders CT the opposition on the other.
lear not their verdict, whether given upon oath
or on honor.
Bat it il no, on the ground of superior merit on.
", that urge the nomination OF the Chief JUS
iice. There il something in the character of the
times, something iii the extraordinary crisis at
which we have arrigcd, that would render his C.
lection, at the present moment, peculiarly a,Ispi-
cous We are engaged i'll q contest in behalf OF
two gentlemen, neither OF whom, il is evident,
commands the entire respect and confidence of a
majority, even oil his own adhcrentS Neither i;
supported from conviction "a illness for the
station and which aoever of the two may be cleo
ted, VIII obviously furnish 10 his supporters, very
hiue cause for Triumph, very little matter for sim
ceTc and heart-tel. congfatula'ion.
How then shall we escape from tbs distressing,
dilemma! How shall we avoid the painful neces-
sityoi choosing for ruler, an individual, for
whom We cannot feel the respect, that ought ever
to attach 10 the chief magistrate of republican
people: Its in vain 10 look for relief among the
active partisanS Of the present candidates Elcyat
-
and respected "a they have been by the nation
they have nevertheless mingled too warmly in the
contest OF the day, not partike of It's spirit and
are TOO mach identified with their respective lead
|T not 10 nave incurred some portion of the hostile
feelings directed against then.
Chici Justice Marshall alone stands unpledgcd 90
any party, uncommitted 10 any individual. n life
OF uneXampied purity has let him without 4 per-
Sohal enemy: And The singular good fortune,
Witch mas exempted him f0m the necesSi ty OF
ininghnS III the party coiiousof The last seven and
twenty years, has, in q great measure, secured
hunagmnst Che political hostility which has occa-
Sionauy heen directed against almost every other
cis'ingul he'd man in the nation. He alone then
could ascend othe Presidential chair wild, the uni
Eersal and unqualified respect of his constituents
nc alone could soothe the irIitatcd feeling which
are now placing u5 in a condition, dangerous alike
20 our peace 10 our prosperity aud to our union
ne atone could draw around him, the best talents
ana the best feelings of the country without refer
Gnce 10 party denomination, either past or present.
re alone III fine, could realise the splendid idea of
PRESIDENT oil the na;icu, in conlradistincdon to the
President Of party
why then should ne not be elected? Is he in
Terror IN any single qualification of the head or OF
tle hcarf, To- either OF the candidates NOW contend
NJ ior me price! Let the voice of the nation and
81 " uic "oTlu give tle answer Are his principles
Oh government less in accordance with those of his
ieiow-citzens, than the principles OF Mr. Adams or
Gen. jackson: lie was bred amid The feelings
aniJ0"Sht ia tie battles Of the rcu0t,ltion-He
WIS an early an ardent and undertaking friend
OF General " ashngton and of the present constitu
lon-and 1t may be added that in every sentiment
nc mas ever uttered, in every principle he has ever
recorded, in every act he has ever done NAV be
found at once an evidence and an example OF re-
publican purity, that would have done honor to tho
pcst Gays OF Grecian or OF Roman virtue.
Does he differ in his construction of the constit,-
uoh from tho-e, who have been deemed worthy of
caucus, conventional and even legislative nomina-
llonf ies-hut it is III This. His principles of
construction, though liberal, are fixed and definite
hey nave prescribed limits, which they cannot
transcend. They neither accompany Mr. Adams
IN MS idncliul flight to " the great object Of The in
sntunon oil civil governments; nor do they 90 with
Gehefal jackson IN hi5 mandatory instructions 10
Inc Goyernor of Georgia, his military operations in
lorida, MS threats against the Hartford CoDyeI
uon ms punishment OF prisoners of war his di.per
slon OF state legislature, his inp,isonrnert of
sia'e ofilccTs In all those respects the Chief Jus
ucc las very far short ofthe Presidential apirants
ana a. remote aS he unquestionably is, from the
more restricted View Of Mr. Randolph & Mr. Ma
con, ms distance from them is Infinitely less mInea
suTabie, tiian that which separates him from the
undlSested theories OF Mr.. Adams or the dangerous
practices OF General Jackson
To what possible objection then can he be ex-
posed that does not apply with equal OF even great
or force TO those. between whom a reluctant choice
Is to be made? To the fiiends of Mr.. Adams espa-
ciaiiy make the appeal. They profess to believe,
honestly, ! have no doubt--that no greater evil
Y
jackson And whatever may have been their
hopes at one time, it is now evident that this evil
cannot be warded OF by The instrunentality of
Nlr. adams. Why then should they hesitate to
'aAe me chances OF success under the aus
piccs OF Judge MARSHALL Let us enter for a mo-
mcnt, INTO calculation of these chances
VI the adherents Of Mr.. Adamsin Virginia take
y for granted there arc but few who would consi-
DER themselves guilty ofany very great derelction
o. pubic duty III transferring their allegiance TO
IF III II
iiom my knowledge Of the fact that a large pro-
portion Of the supporters Of General Jackson are
held together not much by principle of attrac-
Ton to him, a. Of rcpulsion from his opponeut.
hik IL lar TO infer, that when the latter influence
shall be removed b. the substitution of sore ober
name for that OF Mr.. Adams, there viii be mn d;fTi
cuty IN rallying the Ancient Dominion on tie side
o law AMI order, Of political purity AMI political in
tclligencc.
OF North Carolina, [ speak aiyisedly when
say ''hat IN her affections, the Chief Justice hold;
q more distinguished place than any other man in
the union. His long and intimate association viii,
tne Inhabitants oifi.| state, in the DISCHARGE III
nj Official duties, while Il has destroyed every crn1
81 prejudice against hin, has left him in possession,
o. popularity, that would insure him her support,
not only against the present candidates but AGAINST
any Yiher individual that could be manned
VI South Carolina and Georgia / know but liitIe
~ ihe. determined opposition 70 Mr. Adams how
ever they have given unqucsoEaLlc evidence of
tAeir political purity; and am not disposed 10 think
so lightly Of their intelligence as TO suppose that
they could under any circumstances, give an no
nest preference 70 hcr present ayoritc over Chief
Justice Marshal. OF Mary land and. Delaware.
can SPEAK more positively. Giving at best but
very equivocal preference to Mr. Adams they are
prepared to withdraw from the unnatural connec-
uOn, whenever a lair opportunity shall be offered
thcn; and he must be blind indeed, who can hesi-
tate 70 believe, that they would gladly follow the
leda Is now IN the poWeTOi Virginia 70 make them