Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-03-10

and certain of his friends; but, the vote
with which l have been honored by
the people, is enough to satisfy me that
the prejudice which was thereby sought
to be produced, has awaited but little
This is sufficient for mel entertain a
deep and heartfelt gratitude to my
country for the confidence which she
has manifested towards me, leaving to
preiudiced minds whatever they can
make of the epithet "Military Chief
tain"
1t is for ingenuity greater than mine
to conceive what idea was intended to
be conveyed by the term. Itis very
true, that early in life, even in the days
ofmy boyhood, contributed my mite
to shake off the yoke of tyranny, and to
build up the fabric of free government.
And when lately our county was in
volved in war, bearing then the commits
sion of Major General of Militia in Ten
nessee, ] made an appeal to the patriot
ism of the citizens If the west, when
5000 went with me to the field to sup
port her Eagles. If this constitutes
me a military Ghieftain," am one.
Aided by the patriotism of the western
people, and an indulgent Providence,
it was my good fortune to protect our
frontier border from the savages, and
successfully to defend an important
and vulnerable point of our Union
Our lives were risked, privations en-
dured, and sacrifices made; and, if Mr..
Clay pleases, martial law declared--not
with any view of personal aggrandise-
ment, but for the preservation of all
and every thing that was dear and val
uable-the honor, the safety, and glory
of our country! Does this constitute
the character of"a Military Chieftain?'
And are all our brave men in war, who
go forth to defend their rights and the
rights of the country, to be termed
"Military Chieftains," and denounced
therefor! Ifso, the tendency Of such a
doctrine may be, to arrest the ardor of
useful and brave men in future times
of need and peril; with me it will make
no difference, for my country at war, l
would aid, assist and defend her, let the
consequences to myself be what they
might.
have, as you very well know, been
charged, by some of the designing po-
liticians of this country, with taking
bold and high-handed measures but,
as they were not designed for any ben
eft to myself, I should not, under 81
milar circumstances, refrain from a
course equally bold. That man, who
in times of difficulty and danger, shall
halt at any course necessary to main
tain the rights and privileges and in
dependence of his country, is unsuited
to authority. And if these opinions
and sentiments shall entitle me to the
name and character Of "military
chieftain,P / am content so to be con-
sidered-satisfed too, that Mr.. Clay,
if he pleases, shall give that as the rea-
son, to the citizens of the west, why,
in his opinion, l merited neither his
nor their confidence.
Mr.. Clay has never yet risked him
self for his country. He has never
sacrificed his repose, nor made an ef-
fort to repel an invading foe; of course
CHS conscience" assured him it was
altogether wrong in any other man TO
lead his countrymen TO battle and vic
tory. He who fights, and fights sue
cessfully, must, according to his stand
ard, be held up as ga military chief
tain" Even Washington, could he
appear again among us, might be SO
considered, because he dared to be a
virtuous and successful soldier-a cor
rect man, and an honest statesman. 1t
is only when overtaken by disaster and
defeat, that any man is to be consider
ed safe politician and correct states
man.
Defeat might, to be sure, have bro't
with it one benefit, it might have ena-
bled me to escape the notice and ami
madversions Of Mr.. Clay; but consider
ing that by an opposite result, my
country has been somewhat benefited,
1 rather prefer it even with the oppro-
brium and censure which he seems dis
posed to extend towards me. To him,
thank God, am in no wise responsible.
There is purer tribunal, to which |
would in preference refer myself. To
the judgment of an enlightened, pa
triotic, and interrupted people. To
that tribunal l would rather appeal
whence is derived whatever of reputa-
ton either he or l may possess. BY
reference there, it will be ascertained
that / did not solicit the office of Presi-
dent; it was the frank and flattering
call ofthe freemen Of this country, not
mine, which placed my name before
the nation. When they failed in their
colleges to make choice, no one be-
held me seeking through art or man.
agement, to entice any representative
in Congress from conscientious re-
sponsibility to his own, or the wishes