The Delaware gazette. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1809-1810, 1809-07-22

must have some victim to manglc, and, disap-
pointed in finding any vulnerable points in those
now at the head Of affairs, had determined TO re-
vive every stale calumny which ignorance or ma
lice has fabricated during the past eight years
to obscure the fame of this distinguished citizen.
Protesting an unbounded respect for the present
Chief Magistrate, it darngly carries the dagger
to the heart Of his best friend, and dcuouncss =
career in which he sustained himself part only
secondary exhibiting as extraordinary proof
of consis.encs as of respect for Mr.. Madison.
Be it so. Soothing as it might have been to the
sage OF Monticello to close his last days arnids,
the accents OF universal praise, the syren sounds
might have exposed the solidity Of his fame to
some question. Ii is not in the nature OF igno-
rance and depravty sincerely to praise what they
do not understand or hate; and applause from
such source might have been Justly considered
as hypocritcal or selfish. The character, which
the whole world applauds, is rarely understood,
or is extolcd more Tor its negative than positive
traits. There is an int1exbe stcrnuess in virtue,
that disdains aud repcls the aduaton of the
vicious, that shrinks from their approaches and
friendship, and considers itself most cndan rcrcd
when made the subject of their cncomiums.
What, IN fact, can be more equivocal than such
praise Can it spring from the love of virtue or
the honest admiration of profound talents, This
would imply an integrity altogether wanting in
those who offer it. No. 1t can only flow
from selfish considerations from the desire to
retrieve character bankrupt in the public
esteem, from wish to accomplish certain
ends Of which this is made the means. Away,
then, with all such hollow homage. Il can be
the pedestal Of no true greatness. Ii may under
mine, but It can never rear true glory. Mr..
Jetefson's fame requires such trophy. The
applause of the enlightened, the esteem of the
good, these are the impershab shields that de-
fsns it.
Does name, thus severenced, require de.
fence against the unjust reproaches lavished a
gainst it Perhaps it docs not. The blaze of
light which has accompanied all the great mea-
snFes of Mr. Jefferson, and above all the fruits
of those measures gathered by grateful nation,
are conclusive answers to the ceaseless attcrnp
to impair his character But safe as his fame is,
firmly as it may be fixed in the hearts of his
countrymcn, silence might be construed into in
senshty, and might expose his republican
friends to the charge of ingrattue'e, SO afectedy
and falsely ascrbed to republics. If, moreover
the defence of his measures may not be requi-
site to the preservation Of his fame, they may not
be nnimportantt to ourselves. We have certainly
reached point Of view, more commanding than
any which could heretofore be occupied BY the
observer; events are now seen in theiy effects as
we'll as causes the connection of one measure
with that Of another is more distinctly perceived
and the general effect Of the whole is felt. The
Chief Magistrate has also retired from his poIiti-
cal emincncc. The lustre of high station, the
cupidity for place, the thirst for power, no lon
ger dazzle and seduce. The medium through
which every thing is seen is uncloudcd, and the
award now pronounced may be viewed, in some
measure, as the award Of history. Ii ought not,
therefore, to be considered as supcrAuous or
useless task to pass in review the measures of
Mr.. Jetferson's administration, however amply
they may heretofore have been serutinized.
In performing this task, it will only be requi-
site TO take large and general views. twill not
be so necessary to scrutinizc into the solidity OF
every individual link, as to examine the general
character Of the chain itself, whose soundness
and competency will abundantly appear from
the results from the several operations in which
it has been used. We shall in the first instance,
take view of our domestic concerns, then
offer view OF our foreign affairs, and close the
enquiry with contrasting the situation of the
United States at the time of MIR. Jefferson's ac-
cession with that of his retirement from office.
The leading measures of Mr.. Jcfferson's adj
minlstration respecting our internal concerns may
be enumerted as follows.
The abolition Of the internal taxes.
The abolition of what has been denomlnated
the midnight judiciary.
Provision for the rapid discharge of the public
debt.
Reduction of useless cxpences.
Appointments to Office.
Suppression of Burr's conspiracy.
Pacification of the Inaians.
General expenditure of the public money
Throughout the whole of this enquiry IN cx'
aiming the measures pursued during Mr. Jeffer-
sons administration we shall be in danger OF I'M
putting to him opinions and acts, strictly speak.
ing, not his own. According to the theory OF
our government he is the sole Executive, and di-
rec.ly, or BY subordinate agents, yields the
whole executive power. for the exercise OF
which he i, considered as responsible. But al-
though this be the theory, il is most obvious
that, in the discharge of duties SO comptcaseo'
muitifarious, and remotely located, as those
which embrace the interests OF such an extensive
t...:.. tIy IN rnanV instances,