The Rhode Island Republican

JACKSON, WIRT AND CLAY. These are the steeds now training for the races, which commence first in Pennsylvania on the 28th of October and terminate in Rhode-Island on the 19th of the following month. Let us consider for a moment the prospects of each in comparison with the others; and from a statement of acts without regard to conjecture endeavor to arrive at a sound conclusion as to the result of a contest which at present engrosses the almost exclusive attention of the American people.

We shall speak now of the prospects of success merely, without regard to the qualifications of the individuals. The latter subject is worn quite thread-bare and we may safely take it for granted there is hardly a man, boy or even woman throughout the whole Union whose mind is not familiar with the claims, character and qualifications of Jackson and Clay, who may be considered the most prominent of the several candidates for the Presidency. Beginning at the North East, we find the Jackson party of the State of Maine triumphant in their late contest for Governor by a majority of between 4 and 5000, and in both houses of the Assembly possessed of majorities of nearly two to one over their opponents. Have we not reason then to claim Maine for the Administration?

Turning next to New Hampshire whose sons are as steadfast in the cause of Jackson and democracy as her granite hills are to our mother earth, we find that at the last election they gave to the administration candidates a majority of about 10,000.

Have we not reason then, to claim New-Hampshire for the administration?

We come next to Vermont and behold the Green Mountain boys in such confusion and each party pursuing its own objects with such obstinacy as to be unable like our own little State to choose any body to rule over them. Suffice it to say that Wirt and the anti-masons lead the field. Have we not reason then to say his chance of success in Vermont is better than either of his competitors?

Massachusetts we yield to Clay taking the last election as the surest criterion. Connecticut we set down with Massachusetts for the same reason. Rhode-Island we consider a doubtful State, having as yet been unable to choose her rulers for her own government, we do not think we say too much when we assert, that, under existing circumstances, we have as much reason to claim her for Jackson as either of the other parties have for Clay or Wirt. We come next to the "Empire State" great and prosperous New-York, who can in ordinary struggles by her single vote determine the fate, for weal or woe, of any candidate for the Presidency. Where do we find her? If the Governor, Lt. Gov. three fourths of her Senate and two thirds of her lower house of Assembly being friendly to Gen. Jackson, can be looked upon as any evidence. She too is the fast friend of the Administration.

In the last Gubernatorial election the Jackson candidate beat by several thousand, the combined forces of Clay men and Anti-masons and he will do it again, mark our words he will do it again, and Jackson and Van Buren will get the electoral votes by a majority of 8 or 10,000. Next comes Pennsylvania which gave old Hickory 50,000 majority in 1828 and has since elected an Administration Governor by an overwhelming vote.

Have we not reason to claim her for Jackson? New Jersey we consider a doubtful State, quite as likely to go for Jackson as any other candidate. Delaware we give to Clay. Maryland will give a divided ticket and may be set down a cypher Then comes old Virginia, the land of Washington, of Jefferson, Madison and Monroe, as true to Jackson and democracy as the politics of her sons are to the principles of Republicanism. North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee are yielded to Jackson by all parties, and will no doubt be almost unanimous for him. South Carolina is for nothing, or nullification which amounts to about the same. Kentucky we claim for Jackson because she gave him in 1828 a majority of 5000, notwithstanding Mr. Clay's efforts and influence. We claim her for another reason. She has just discarded a Clay Governor and placed in his chair a Jackson man. Ohio will go for Jackson as decidedly as she did four years ago, with an increased majority,— Indiana, Illinois and Missouri by the late elections have shown that Clay has nothing to hope for from them. In each of them the Administration party has increased in strength and in the latter are so strong that their opponents dare not even run a ticket. These states will go for Jackson as they did in 1828 and they will go too by increased majorities. As to Louisiana, last but not least, she may go which way she pleases, she can in no way effect the grand result or prevent the signal triumph of Jackson and Van Buren by an almost unanimous vote.