Massachusetts Spy And Worcester Advertiser

WORCESTER:

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1823.

THE PRESIDENCY.

Though we do not intend, for the present, to take any active part in this Question, yet we feel it incumbent on us, from time to time, to apprise our readers of such acts, relating to it as may be interesting to them. Great exertions are making by the friends of the different Candidates in various sections of the Country, each proclaiming his own, as the only suitable person, and generally denouncing the others as either incompetent, or unworthy of that distinguished trust. One fact in the case is obvious, that although Mr. Crawford has many active and zealous supporters, in most of the States, yet, the great mass of the people are opposed to him, and give either of the other Candidates the preference. Nearly all, either place him first or last, on the list, and that class who place him first, are, for the most part such as are calculated to throw suspicion on any cause which they advocate. In New-England, the management of his partizans is secret and covert, and so far as our information extends, not a single individual openly advocates his cause. Even the papers in which his claims are supported, deny their attachment to him, & the articles in his favor are generally anonymous communications. These facts indicate a correct tone of moral feeling, and are creditable to the virtue, and intelligence of the People. The Citizens of New-England, never yet have supported for office, any man, who, actuated by hatred and revenge, has gone forth with the instruments of Death, and imbued his hands in the LIFE-BLOOD OF HIS FRIEND, and we trust the day when they will do it, is yet far distant.

It is impossible to calculate on the relative strength of the different Candidates. A considerable portion of the people yet stand uncommitted to either of them; but as the great contest approaches, new combatants almost daily come forth, and array themselves under the banners of one or the other of the Champions. Of late, but few have marshalled themselves by the side of Crawford, while Adams and Calhoun have received considerable accessions of strength. The Metropolitan, a Paper conducted with considerable ability at Georgetown (D. C.) has recently espoused the cause of the former, and the Trenton True American, the leading democratic paper in New-Jersey, has come out as the advocate of the latter.

The superior ability, the integrity, and the patriotism of John Quincy Adams, are very generally admitted, except by the most violent of the Crawfordites; but there are some circumstances, calculated to affect the passions and prejudices, rather than the understanding, which will operate powerfully against him. These are his former politics, his parentage, and his being a northern man. Some men attach more importance to names than to principles : with these, although it should be shown that Adams has more uniformly acted, and voted, with the majority, and has been more republican in his principles and practice, than Crawford,—yet, as one was called a federalist, and the other a republican that is a sufficient cause with them, for rejecting the one, and approving of the other.

If Adams were withdrawn, the chances, with the people, would be altogether in favor of Calhoun. We think we hazard nothing, in saying he would receive the votes of South Carolina, and of every state North of Pennsylvania; and it is most probable that, that State, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Alabama, and North-Carolina would also be in his favor. On the other hand, no Candidate, beside him and Adams, could calculate, with any certainty, on receiving the votes of more than three States.

The opposition to a Caucus nomination, on which the Crawfordites have hung their hopes of success, appears to be strong in every part of the Union. The principle of giving the right of making a nomination, which shall be considered binding in a majority of the electors, to a part of the body on which, the election may finally devolve, is so monstrous in itself, and so repugnant to the spirit of our institutions, that it would be strange indeed, if it were tolerated.