Alexandria Advertiser And Commercial Intelligencer

"The Sun," a paper printed at Pittsfield, (Mass.) contains the following paragraph:--

"As neither President Adams, nor his political friends or enemies probably expect that he will ever again be a candidate for the Presidency, there ought to be a general consent to let him repose in quiet. It is unmanly to attack him in his retirement. His honesty and patriotism are admitted by the candid of all parties."

"The Sun." has hitherto been loud in its landers against the old administration: and has frequently, since Mr. Jefferson's election, indulged in the most virulent and acrimonious railings against Mr. Adams. What then shall we think of the above paragraph? When reduced to plain American language, it stands thus:--Mr. Adams, while he was in office, or was a candidate for office, was a fair mark for all the flounder, crimination and abuse that could be poured forth against him; but now that he is out of office, he may "repose in quiet." When he was in an elevated situation, to attack him was noble and heroic; but now that he is driven into retirement, the same thing is quite "unmanly." When he was President of the United States, or a candidate for that office, he was a tory an aristocrat, a monarchist, a tyrant, a "hoary-headed villain;" but now that he is a private citizen, "his honesty and patriotism are admitted by the CANDID of ALL PARTIES." When he was up, it was proper to pull him down; but now that he is down, and never "expects" to rise, WHY--LET HIM ALONE--LET HIM ALONE.

These remarks are not dictated by any ill-will towards the printer of "the Sun." While he honestly maintains his sentiments, he will be applauded by every candid man. But he very much endangers his reputation as an editor, when he acknowledges that the same man has honesty and patriotism, whom a few months since, he frequently asserted was destitute of both; and when he also makes the "precious confession" that he vilified Mr. Adams while a candidate for office, merely to answer party purposes. There is no time when the public so much require true information with respect to a man's character, as when he is a candidate for office. It is therefore ungenerous to the people, and unjust to the candidate, to defame him when in that situation. On the whole, we think the printer of "the Sun" in this instance, has been over-candid. He has almost "let the cat out of the bag."