Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-02-05

for the Presidency, did not appear TO be serious
ly considered as such, except in avery limited
circle. He had never in any manner distin'
guished himself as statesman, and although
he had been member of both Houses OF Con-
gress, he had attracted no public attention as
politician; and had 1t not been for the late war,
i, is not a. all probable that he would ever have
been mentioned as public man, out OF the IL
mits of Tennessee. War has kind OF tenn
pestuous influence upon the feelings and senti-
ments of the community. The m,rtial spirit
naturally and almos, imperceptibly begets an
attachment to force; and corresponding disin-
clination to sustain any man, who is no! accord
ing to the military ideom, identified with the
glory of the country. To men whose ears are
attuned to the roar of artillery, the arguments
of reason and philosophy seem but feeble, when
opposed TO the glare of military renown. This
spirit then peryaded the country in an extensive
degree, and in the minds Of many, had taken
place of, and was mistaken for, spirit OF pa
,rio,ism, and regard Cor public liberty. The
arrival Of Gen. Lafayette soon after in the Unit
ed States, and The consequent rejoicings, and
military displays, had an astonishing effect to-
wards disseminating military sentiments. The
association Of every soldier of the revolution
with the cause Of free government, very natu.
rally in the minds Of men thus operated upon.
led TO the conclusion, that every successful
commander, was both hero and an apostle Of
liberty. Of all the kind of infatua,ion Of which
the human mind is susceptible, there is none
which so completely sets reason at defiance, as
that which may be denominated the military
spirit, whenever il is connected with considera-
lions on the affairs Of government: i, is one
which discards demonstration as sophistry, and
denounces all the warnings Of experience as
visionary dreams. With the example Of b.
naparte before their eyes, and possessing full
knowledge Of the history of Cromwell, one
Nigh, reasonably have expected that the Anne
rican People generally, before they would have
been induced TO give their votes in favor Of a
sheer military man for the Presidency, would
have at least, required some trait Of political
character on which they might rest hope, for
the due administration Of the government, up.
OF the principles Of the Constitution: some
moral fitness for the exercise of he duties of
an Office, so intimately connected with the des-
TIMES Of the country. Unfortunately this has
not been the case; large portion of the peo-
pie have for once been governed by their feel
irgs, in preference 10 their judgment: and ap-
paling as these reflections are, 10 all true low
ers Of government founded upon law, it can no
longer be concealed. that considerable porto"
Of the American People, with all their boosted
attachment to the constitutions and laws Of the
those constitutions and laws which
arc The only guaranty Of the freedom of their
persons, the security of their property, and the
preservation of their lives; seem now willing
TO see the whole violated, under the impulse
Of fanalical devotion to successful "Military
Chieftain." That to crafty the ambition Of
successful military man, who possesses no civil
qualifications for the Office, they would hazard
the safety Of that system Of government, which
has been Justly regarded as the greatest bless
ing Of the kind ever impaired to man; and the
establishment Of which, has been considered by
The great and good Of all countries, as the mos.
sublime achievement which is recorded in the
annals OF the world. Strange, that people who
are Justly tenacious of their rights, that they
deprecated the idea Of law, which the folly of
a former administration thought proper to
sanction-which law authorised the President,
sin time Of war or threatened INVASION" to ap-
prehend and remove such alien enemies, as he
might deem dangerous to the counlry-yet they
would not wish to vest favorite military officer
with power over the liberty and lives Of native
citizens. In addition to all this, while they rail
at the sedition law, which, absurd and foolish
as il was, provided for the punishment Of sedi
tious offences, by means Of the judicial tribunals
Of The country, and expressly permitted the
truth of any fact charged 10 be sedltious, TO be
given as evidence: yet We hear them vociferous-
ly bes,owing their plaudits on military officer,