Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-05-24

that the opinions of Thomas Jefferson
inclined him TO view The elevation of
Gen. Jackson to the Presidency with
particular horror, and that he had ex
pressed them on several occasions with
that frsnkness which distinguished him
above most public men of his time.
| That we have not at any time alluded to
his sentiments, was because in the first
place, we were unwilling to be the ia
strument of detracting in the least de-
gree, from the universal popularity OF
his memory; for such is the violence of
Jscksonism, that even the name Of Tho.
mas Jefferson would be dishonered
were it placed in conflict with Gen.
Jackson's pretensions-and secondly,
because we were unwilling to rely upon
the authority OF any name, however
| great, to sustain a cause, already in our
| opinion, sufficiently sustained, by prin-
ciples universally acknowledged III the
Republic, and by weight Of argument
invincible in any question to be decided
by argument alone.
We have determined to deviate from
this course, 10 consequence of state
ment in the Louisville Advertiser to the
following purport:
"rhe Advertiser states, that Col
Trimble in speech to his constituents,
read certificate from Lewis Williams,
! of North Carolina, to the effect, Mr..
Coles OF Illinois Gov. Coles asserted
| IN fol IT;Il;a,,., ,,ncapco ,lat he
Gov. Coles heard Mr. Jefferson say
after the late Presidential Election, that
Gen. Jackson's extraordinary run aCas
an so'dcace, that The republic could not
stand long. This certificate of Col.
Williams, the Advertiser call bare faced
Jat';hood, and By way of establishing
its falsehood, says that Col. Williams is
the personal enemy of Gen. jackson;
the brother of Col John Williams, who
was turned out of the Senate by Gen.
Jackson, and the brother in law of Mr..
John p. Erwn!'
We should deem it not merely super
fluous, but impertinent in us, to vindi-
cate the character of Lewis Williams
against change Of this nature. and pre-.
ferred from such quarter as the Lou,
isville Advertiser--s paper that IN eve
ny disreputable characteristic has but
one rival ia fhe United States The per
sonal friends of Mr.. Williams, win hear
with some surprjze, that his statement
Of matter OF fact is not to be believed.
because he is the brother of Col. John
Williams and the political foe Of Gen.
jackson, But thus il is every where
with the partizans of General jackson
Calumny, detraction aud abuse, supply
| the place of argument. No excellence
of character, length of service, nor we'll
established Republicanism, can atone
for dissrust OF Gen. Jackson's Presi
dental qualifications, nor protect the
! person who entertans them from the
| assaults of the Infamous libellers who
disgrace his cause. Pretending to be
the exclusive Republicans OF the land,
they tolerate on this head no ditfere wee
OF opinion-protessing great liberality
OF views, neutrality is with them q crime,
and pointing to the affair of honour be-
TWEEN Mr. Clay and Dir. Randolph, as
evidence OF the vicious principles of the
administration, they do not choose to
remember, that Gen. jackson shot
down his man when danger to himself
i had ceased, and when magnanimity
would have disarmed his hand against
the life of an unresisting foe-But we
are wandering from the points.
| 1T is not 10 sustain the certificate Of
Lewis Williams, that we undertake to
affirm that il relates Mr.. Jefferson's o.
plnion as he expressed it to one or more
OF his friends, at different times, after
1t became evident that Gen. jackson
had strong party in the U. States, who
were willing to make him President.
Mr.. Williams certificate needs no en-
dorsement from any quarter-and we
affirm such to have been Mr. Jefer-
sons declaration, with the view that
since his name has been brought into
this question, the public may be put in
possession of bis language 1t was,
''that during long public life, be bad
attentvely watched the progress OF e.
vents in the United States, with the par.
ticular view of satisfying his mind, that
mankind were competent to self govern
ment, TO believe which, his principles
inclined BIN; and that during his whole
political observation, the disposition of
the American people to elect Gen jack
son President. was the single crcum-
stance which had shaken his faith. and
made him fear that the American repub