Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-24
ALT

The following observations on this subject, are
extracted from tho Portland Advertiser, whose
editor is now at Washington, and may be supposed
an observer of what he describes. We know the
powerful motives which his leading partizans have
for electing Gen. Jackson again, without which
many of them would lose offices which they now
hold, and others fail to obtain rewards which they
expect, or which have been promIscd-wc know
that his second election is an indispensable part
of the game for handing over the succession TO
Van Burcn-wc also know the force Of party spi-
rt, and the lengths to which it will carry men of
upright intentions: but it appears stran &C notwith-
standing, that this purpose of e~lecting a man Pre-
sidsnt Of tho United States, admitted to be the most
distinguished as well as the most arduous post in
the world, who is totterinp on the brink of the
grave, is dead in fact for all purposes of mental
energy, should be persevcrod in in the face of the
assembled intelligence at Washington. Can his
health BIO really so bad? Are the indications that
he cannot live but a short time, so striking and
nHmerous? We arc so assured person lly, by in.
~dividuals who have lately seen him., by the Press
at Washington, and by humorous writer's for the
Public Press from that place. If it be so, will his
Party still urge him on the Country? One part of
his followers wiH. The friends of Van Buren, ,ciH.
"N "PtNNJ NohiiSo uCISdllcE II
the contingencies upon which they build all their
hopes of foisting Van Buren, into the Presidency.
The same people were ready to elect Mr.. Craw.
ford-they swore he was in perfect health, when
he had to resort to a fac SimiLe to sign bis name;
and to preserve their party superiority, their offices
and heir p y, they will avail themselves of the
name 0 Jackson, though the man be dead.
Let it not be j !errcd that because we speak of
the probability Of his early death that we wish
Gen. Jackson dead. We wish no man to die be.
fore his time comes.
Seen. Jackson, if / can believe his friends. &c
not what he was even a year ago. lie look now
very old, feeble and trouble worn. His skin has
a sunken, tlaccid appearances. His features are
rigd. HIS motions are uneasy, trembling and des.
ttute of iirmncss. Excrtion is painful. He is un.
der the dIctctlc rules of the physician. There is an
absence of animal spirits, which / am told he has
heretofore possessed. There is every indication of
an affecting old age pressing him down. / should
think his chance of living a year was problcmati.
Cal. For he is affected with a complication of
diseases and is often under the hands of a doc
tor. All his is not said in any spirit Of unkindness
or political hostility.-Thc death of jackson no
man can desire; bat it is said, to show the mad
ness OF rc-clccting such a President, who, were
he the best of men, must under such affections,
be under the tutelage ct irresponsible agents. Ma
ny may think | eXaggerate in describing his fee
bicness; but i soften the expressions heard in this
district. Indeed his state of health is the topic of
conversation IN every circle. 1T is the morning and
evening question. 1t is speculated upon by his
own party with all the anxiety of men DESTROYS
to elect Il Vice President suitable to their yarious
purposes. The evening lcvces usually given at
the Presidents House have not yet begun, There
is a reason in all this. And it is found in the fact
that 1t is painful for President Jackson TO make
the eXcrtion 10 sec company"