Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-07-27

IN nominating him, rest almost exclu-
slvely on the concurrent nomination of
two conventions alike distinguished for
talents and patriotism. A nomination
by two such assemblagescertainly affords
strong guarantee of his qualifications.
But, sir, | would wish our nomination Of
him to rest upon broader and more in
dependent basis-upon an impregnable
conviction of his talents, his patriotism,
and his private virtues.
Until recently, | must confess that
had but little knowledge of the charac-
ter of MIR. Sergeant. | knew him
through the medium of the press as a
learned jurist, land an able expositor ofthe
Federal constitution. But it was not
until L was associated with those who
knew him most intimately that formed
a just estimate of his abilities and his vir-
tues. Then indeed my preconceived
respect for his talents frightened into
admiration, d my esteem for his virtues
warmed into enthusiasm. Even his ONO
nentS-enemieS, he has none-represent
him to possess Herculean grasp of in
tellect-an energy of character that diff
cultles serve but TO stimulate-a fervent
devotion to the cause of civil liberty-&5
an all-embracing spirit of patriotism
Indeed his whole character and cast of
mind seem adapted in peculiar man
ner to the office of Vice President
His firmness, his equanimity of temper,
and his manly and dignifed bearing,
eminently qualify him to preside over the
deliberations of the most august assem-
bly, in the world whilst his comprehen-
sive genius-his habits of cautious inyes-
tigation-his sound judgment, and his
enlarged and statesman-like views of
the true interests and policy of his
country, afford the same assurance of his
inappreciable usefulness as a constitu-
tional adviser of the President, and in
case ola vacancy of the office of Chief
Magistrate, of his capacity to administer
the government in a manner equally
creditable to himself and honorable to
his country. Such, sir, is the charac-
ter of John Sergeant, whom the Natien-
al Republican Party present to the Peo-
pie of the United States as candidate
for the Vice Presidency.
And now let me enquire, who is
his competitor ! Sir, | will not pro-
fame this holy sanctuary by mentioning
his name. he is known as the Arch.
Magician"-the political grimalkin
purring over petty intrigues''-
individual who has been characterized
by one who knew him but too well,
and whose competency TO appreciate his
character and capacity, will be con-
ceded by all, as man without Dig
nifty of character OF elevation of senti-
ment. The man who has successive
ly embraced and betrayed every party in
his native state.-The founder of the
school of "New- York politics. The
author of the merciless doctrines of pro-
scription for opinions sake which have
desoated our country since the com
mencement of the present administra-
tion.-The instigator of that ruthless sys-
tenn of partizan warfare which inflames
the savage ferocity of the combat
ants by holding up to their gloatiBg
eyes, the Offices of government as the
"spoils of victory. The parasite who
Sustains an imbecile dotard in the idea
that the high places OF the land are his
not in sacred trust, to be dispensed a.
mong those who from theirputlic services
approved talents, and undoubted patriot
ism, have a claim to them-but his indi.
vidual property TO be bestowed according
to his sovereign will and pleasure as the
reward of "courtly servility" to the
greatest and best" OF of crawling sub
seryieDcy to his infamous minions. The
man who both in his character of Secre
tary of State and OF Minister to the
Court of st. James. acted as the organ Of
a party rather than the representative Of
his Countrywide diplomatist who for
the purpose of throwing an odium on
his political opponents abandoned all
the principles on which our negotiations
with Great Britain had been conducted,
and basely conceded that the claims
which had been insisted upon for many
years by several successive administra-
tons were ''unfounded pretensions. -
The representative Of thirteen millions
of freemen, who could degrade the hon
our OF his country by meenIy begging as
a favour at the foot ofthe British throne,
that which had always been demanded by
his predecessors as an indisputablc right.
And who, sir, when the ruinous boon
was granted with an insulting sheer OF
the part of Lord Aberdeen at the vaunt
ed independence of our country, could
abase himself and his country still low
CT by instructing cur then minister to
express the great satisfaction" che
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