Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-06-14
From The SeubenrNe (0hio) Herald
JACKSON'S DICTATION TO THE TEN
NESSEE LEGISLATURE.

"
Our Jackson neighbours and leaders have
clamoured long and louG, without the slightest
proof, OF improper interference OIL the part of
the administration and its friends, with the
state legislatures and elections. From Niles
Register Of the I'd September 1920, we COM
pile the following narrative of certain transac-
tons in which general Jackson acted conspi-
cuous part, which occurred that year in Ten.
nessee, and which we recommend 10 The candid
2erusal of our readers.
In the year 1920, propositions were before
the legislature Of Tennessee to incorporate a
state Bank, and to afford some relief to the suf
fering poor people in that state who had impro
videnlly contracted debts, which the change of
times disabled them from paying Genera!
Jackson, who was then Major General in the
Army Of the United States, drew up remon-
STRANGE against the proceedings of the Legisla.
ture, which was signed by himself and Others
This remonstrance general Jackson in person
carried to the Legislature, and is charged to
have told the members if they did aot comply
with it, and reject the propositions they ought
to be convicted Of perjury. When this remon.
STRANGE was read, a warm debate arose-'Soms
of the members considered it an attempt 10
Dragon the Legislature into particular mea.
sures. The remonstrance objected 10 the meas.
ures as inexpedient and constitutional, and
Northumberland the states had no constitution.
al right 10 incorporate Banks-and that no 9th
er Bank than the Bank of The United States
could constitutionally be established that the
Legislature had no constitutional power 10 pro-
vide for stay Of erecution for two years, or 9th
erwise to Leglsla,e concerning the remedy on
contracts except in the passage Of laws 10 en-.
force their erecution' The remonslrance goes
on 10 declare such indulgence to the poor sine
qlitabie' and 'ruinous of both publick and pr-
vate interest," The remonstrants express their
surprise that'so much sympathy should be in
dulged for the debtor and none for the creditor;
they admit there was great embarrassment, but
consider it the best policy, however severe may
be the pressure on certain classes to permit
those who are involved to extricale themselves
by additional industry and economy under the
idea, that 'they will receive, in mos, cases. eve.
ry reasonable indulgence from their crrdilors.'
After the propositions were disposed Of in the
senate, in conformity with General Jackson's
views, two members, Messrs. Huntsman and
Wallace, offered their protest to the vote and
proceedings, in which among other things, they
speak OF the remonstrance Of General Jackson
as extremely exceptonable and indecorous, 10
its terms and language and regret extremely
that one OF the distinguished characters Gen.
eral Jackson who appears to have been active
ly jealous in producing it, in the most :ndeco.
rous manner stated, tina, any member who vo.
ted for it the law] would perjure himself, and
that if The law did pass, twelve honest jurymen
upon oath would convict those who voted for
the measure Of perjury. They consider ,hat'a
direct and unwarraniable attack on the dignity
ofthe senate and that the indignily offered
extends through them TO those whom they have
the honor 10 represent, and therefore feel bound
in behalf of themselves and their conslituents,to
protest most solemnly against, i, 'as dctatoriai,
indscorous, and incorporate
With all the noise about the interference OF
the friends Of administration, let the opposition
lind parallel instance with The above if they
Can. We had before heard Of General jack
sons endeavours in the Tennessee convention
to deprive the poor men, who have no property,
OF their vote, but it was, until lately, new TO US,
that he had endeavoured 10 leave the poo, debtor
entirely TO the mercy OF his creditor.