Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-21

said 10 them: "The love of my country, my de-
votion to her best interests, and TO the cause OF
liberty, compel me, on this occasion to dlsap-
point your wishes, however panful.it may be,
in order to Sc: before you an example enJolned
by my most solemn convictions of its necessity,
To the pre- seryation OF those inestimable bless
ings for, which we have suffered and fought and
conquered, and which we now enjoy. May the
example which shall propose be followed by
all future generations The history Of every
nation where liberty ever existed teaches us,
that the popularity of military men, and the
gratitude Of the people, have been the immedi-
ate or ultimate causes of the loss of liberty =
Even the patriotism and rectitude of those war
riors who have saved their country from foreign
domination, and the horrors Of civil war, have
not been able 10 prevent this melancholy result.
Sooner or later the people. in admiration and
gratitude to their military benetactUrs, have
forgotten themselves and lost their rights
Let us at once sacrifice our feelings to our safe
ty, by placing a civil, and not a military citizen
of distinction in the highest executive Office.
For these reasons consult your permanent in
terests and elect some other, and it the storm
of war should threaten you while live, shall
ever be ready al my country's call TO draw the
sword in her defence.
"Should your confidence and kindness have
bestowed upon me this high and responsible OIL
flee, trust | should endeavor 10 discharge its
duties by the exertion of all my powers But
in future times this example would DE cited in
favor Of other soldiers. The field Of war would
be the theatre on which to display qualhca
tons for the Presidency. Wars would be pro
voked TO give scope to these. You would be-
come military nation, and your liberties would
be often endangered and ultimately lost " had
he made this declaration, and some other dis
tinguished member OF that Congress, which
formed and signed the Declaration OF lndepen-
dence, had been elected the first President Of
the y. Sis it necessary to ask any Virglnlan
how the fame of even Washington would have
been exalted in his estimation? 1t would not
only have been great, and loved, and cherished.
as it now deservedly is, but would have been
elevated above the limited power Of mortal
conception. If we admire such an example
when presented 10 the mind, why shall we not
follow it in TACT? Can we not do it? What shall
prevent us if we will il!
Have we none but Caesar and Pompey who
can rule in Rome?" Are there but two men in
the U. S, capable of discharging the duties OF
the Presidency? Are we really SO poor'thal we
must be ''reduced 10 choice OF evils!''
Can we find no man of sufficien, talents and
information? Not one who has never disregard
ed or violated the supreme laws, the written
constitutions of our country? Is this the effect
of our boased republican institutions! 1t is mol:
"non undique circumUsnta Sunlus." There are in
the United States many men greatly superior 10
Mr.. Adams and General Jackson, in all the qua
lifications necessary to discharge the duties OF
the Presidency, and free from the objections to
which they are liable. Must Virginia then sup
port either? Must she abandon her principles S,
or yield her virtue? Let her rather die by the
dagger of her father in all her unspolted inno-
cence and purity, and leave none TO weep over
her-ho not even CATO.