Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-06-16

by tnelr enlightened patriotism, the 60
vernment was borne in safety through
the stormy current of events. An ho-
norable peace followed, and with it the
important question occurred, on what
footing should our peace establishments
be placed. Again Congress was di-
vided. There were many on whom the
experience of the war appeared to be
lost. Either not discerning what your
interest required, or, what is more pro-
bable, not confding in your disposition
10 make the sacrifices, which the mea-
sures necessary for the security Of the
country required, they were found in
opposition to almost every measure
proposed for that purpose. Not doubt
ing the necessity of an enlightened sys-
tenn of measures for the security OF the
country, and the advancement OF its
true interest, nor your disposition to
make the necessary sacrifices to sustain
it, gave my jealous efforts in favor Of
all such measures, the gradual increase
of the Navy, moderate military es-
Enlistment properly organised and in
strscted, a system of fortifcation for
the defence Of the coast, the restoration
Of specie currency, due protection OF
those manufactures Of the country
which had nken root during the period
of war and restrictions; and finally, a
system Of connecting the various por-
tons of the country by ajudicious sys-
tenn ofinternal improvement. Nor a
gain was | mistaken in your character.
You nobly sustained all of these mea-
sures. Soon after the adoption by Con-
gress of this system ofmeasures, which
grew out Of the experience Of the late
war, was transferred to preside over
the Department of War, by the ap-
pointment Of our late virtuous and ex
cellent Chief Magistrate. In this new
position, my principles Of action re-
mained unchanged. Continuing still
with my faith increased instead Of being
shaken in your virtue and intelligence,
sought no other path to your favor,
but fearless discharge Of the duties of
my office. Placed on so firm founda-
ton, no difficulty nor opposition could
intimidate me. 1t became my duty, as
member Of the administration, to aid
in sustaining, against the boldest as
saults, these very measures, which, as
member Of Congress, had contributed
in part to establish; and again had
the satisfaction to find that reliance
on your virtue and intelligence was not
in vain. Your voice was so audibly
pronounced on the side of the admins
tration, that now, instead of opposi-
ton, the struggle appears to be who
shall evince the greatest zeal in favor Of
its measures. But it is not simply in
questions of national policy, that this
deep conviction Of the virtue and intel
ligence of the American people has
guided me in my public course. 1t has
also been my constant monitor in rcla-
ton to the principles Of the govern
ment, and its operation in reference to
them. Believing that a firm reliance
on your virtue and intelligence was the
only safe foundation for an enlightened
policy, it naturally followed, that l
should take such view of the princi-
pies of the government, and give it, as
far as in my power, such direction in
it's operation, as would be the best cal
culated to enlarge and confirm the pow
ers of the people. That have ever so
acted, confidently appeal TO my whole
political course, as well while men,
Der of the government of the state as
that Of the nation. And in so acting,
| conceive that / have but acted in the
spirit OF the Constitution. According
TO our American conception Of liberty,
it can only exist where those who make
and execute the laws are controlled by
the people on whom the laws operate,
through frequent elections fairly con-
Quoted. To enlarge and strengthen
this control, wherever ii is susceptible
of it, and to preserve it in yigor in the
actual operation of the system, l have
ever conceived to be the first duty of
an American citizen; for it must be
manifest, that in the same proportion,
that the people may lose this control,
just in the same degree the response
bility of Public Agents to them must
be lost, and that, in the same degree,
the government must lose its democra-
teal character. Nor have these been
mere theoretical opinions. Through
out the whole of the late election, which
has terminated in placing me in my
present situation, l never for moment
lost sight ofthem. know, that it may
appear indelicate for me to allude to
these recent occurrences, but believing
that nothing that concerns the Ameri-
can people ought to be so considered,
without hesitation refer to the part
which acted during the late Presiden-
tial canvass. From first to last, one
leading principle governed me, that the
voice Of the people should prevail. l
cared much less, who should be elect
ed, than how he should be; nor did l
confine this Drinciple to others, without