The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

From the Enquirer.

Should Mr. Jefferson decline a re-election at the end of his present term, as is generally believed, a new duty will be imposed upon the republicans of selecting some competent candidate to fill the office. We hope and we entertain no doubt, that in this duty, they will be calm, dispassionate and discreet. Political quids like J. Elliott, who wish to conjure up phantoms that they may excuse their own apostasy, or federalists who wish to excite jealousy and resentment between republicans, may indeed declare that there is a variance of interest between the northern and southern states, and that Virginia is laboring to oppress the north. But these politicians deceive themselves or they wish to deceive others. Virginia is animated by the sincerest regard for her northern brethren: she can never wish to oppress them, to claim for her inhabitants the exclusive honors of the Presidency or to devolve its important duties upon any man whose official qualifications do not entitle him to a preference. Let the republicans of the north consider who are the men, that attribute to us a different character, and they will need no assurances from us that their opinions are without any foundation.

Meanwhile the federal editors are employing every little expedient in their power, to induce the republican party to commit themselves by nominating different candidates. They wish to know who is the man that will be principally supported by the people, that they may know against whom they are to direct their principal blow. But above all, they wish the republican party to fall into schisms and divide into sects, from the anxiety which each party may feel for the election of their favorite candidates. When such a state of things has arrived, the federalists cannot easily mistake the path of their interests; a path, pointed out to them by despair. They will attempt to array the candidates of the north, against those from the south; and to play off the passions of different candidates against each other.

Let the republican party disappoint these futile expectations. There is time enough before then for the selection and much more for the nomination of candidates. While the federal party are intruding themselves into our business and holding up different men for our support, let us calmly and dispassionately wait till the period arrives, when a nomination becomes necessary THEN, let us impartially weigh the merits of our republican friends without any local jealousies or personal ambition and let us select the man, who has proved himself best qualified to conduct the administration of our country.