The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-10-09
GEN. JACkSON-No. 8.



TO The Editors Qfthe Firginidn.
Perhaps it IS the impression of thos,
who nave read my former numbers, that
the meaning and lntentlon of those M
hers are 10 support Gen. jackson for the
Presidency. Not so. They are intended
TO detcnd Gen. Jackson against an uogen-
erous attempt upon his character ani if
know what Justice Is, believe | have sad
nothing which is exclusively on the de-
fensive, that even his political enemies
might not say who also know what JUS
tice is. 1t is too soon 10 commence the
presidential controversy aud have la
mented that at this early day there should
he so much party rancnur exercised IN
the discussion of a question whose So
luton is 50 far off The present state
of excitement portends conflict whose
violence | |. ar will give cause of regret
to every liberal and patriotic bosom !.
and | cannot believe that the cause
of any individual Or party will be benefit
ed by this early feryor of the public mind.
Bot il is never too soon nor too late To do
justice or to support It's principles aud
if ever shoald determine to support Gen.
Jackson for the high office TO which he ~
made TO aspire, shall do 50 ds time and
occasion may require. My motto Is yours
"Trulh, God aud our Country"
Setting every other argument aside,
think we are warranted IN ascrhIng the
victory Of New Orleans mainly 10 the
conduct of Jackson, upon the ground OF
the high character as a Military Chlettan,
which ne malniaised antecedcut to that
event, and of his tried and successful a.
hiities in the department OF war, Nhp-
ever will look into the history Of ATS
military lfc, will fad abundant cause
for estimating his abilities as OF az otdeI
uDequaIled by that OF auy other individual
WHOM tins country can now boast of; -
and he Will find too a series Of successes
which might equally surpass all tn" pr
tensions of rivalry. Ii his abilities are 10
be measured by his successes, let the me-
mory of those who would mete. Out the
proportion, ask the British spy and the
nurderOus savage for a rule 10 work upon.
1t they are to he measured by the h1fd-
ships which he encountered and surmonut-
ed, let US remember the boGs aud marsh.
rs, aud yastexpanse of the south, the mrse-
the dlsaliecton aud muilny of his own
troops. BY either criterion, his cause vii
triumph over uncertainty aud dlstrnst !;
AMI even envy itself might discover thai
he had reared character beyond ITS p W.
er to pull down. | know, ard IN the
knowledge am proud, that We have o.
thGr heroes whose names are an ornament
to our catalogue of worthless ; and whose
actions have done honour 10 the preten-
sons ADD the character of our country =
and long after the present generatl"n may
have passed away the plains of Chippewa
aud the Thames will tell that heroes once
fought there. But If a man IS to he Judg
ed and appreciated, by the success Of his
abOurs aud their consequences, ~ all due
Justice to all Others who have fought and
BLEED for their country, | know of no ndt-
vldual among them whose merit demands
50 much of my gratitude and applause a.
that OF Gen. Jackson. shall be told per
haps, that the actions ofmen are mcasnr-
ably confronted by circumstances ADD
that they necessarily act IA variety OF
spheres, "a variety whose consequence Is
a variety of conduct and merit and that
many Of Those perhaps whose glory is NOW
eclipsed by that of jackson, and whose
Iabours fortune has bestowed elsewhere,
might have performed his service, and
worn the wreaihe which he now wears.
will admit it. But does this possibility
give US cause 10 deprive Gen. Jackson ot
The honour Of those victories which ill
the pages Of history, aud to rob him OF that
reputation for winch he has wasted his
life away, and brayed every danger that
man is subject to? But suppose yon
strip hun of his character on the ground
that others might hare deserved il, on
whom VIII you bestow it9 Its rharac-
ter which has been mrrited, and you must
bestow IT somewhere 10 conformity with
the customs Of every age and natlon.
VIII ynu then bestow il on those who
mighf hare trodden the footsteps Of } ack-
son, and hose actions might hOCe been
his, deserving the same eulOglum No,
gentlemen. PREF ndlce may suggest The
sophistry, aud TO a super fetal view c.othe
it in the garb of argument But probe It's
himsy covering, aud an absurdlIy IS found
worthy Of those only, who can do any and
every acl to obey their preJadlces and TIER
spirit o. in ustice. shall be told too, that
chance may have done much for jackson
in the achievement of his victories, and 10
the acquisition OF his glory. will admit
this 100. Bat | cannot consent even now
to deprive the hero Of his reputation
since know not even yet here should
brstow it, know not how to bestow II
on that Immortal power, chance, in whose
hauds mars life is bat bubble, and at
" hose suggestion towers, aud temples,
and cities, and empires may be s"ent al