Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-08-03

in charge. by certificates and, else to bolster up
the reputation of candidate for the first ofhce
in the world. This certainly is very remark
able state of things. In free, and IN the
boast be not put to shame by the very TACT we
are commenting upon) an enlightened couh,
try-where the people are sovereign, ana
where instruction is more universally than any
where else disseminated,i it is deemed expedi-
ent and proper by candidate for public favor
to hermit and encourage his personalfriends-
perhaps dependents, to form an association,
with the sole view to wash him white from all
offences, or where as in every case they have
hitherto discussed cannot deny the
crimes imputed to their chief-to palliate their
enormity, and to mislead by sophistical reason
ines and distorted statements, the plain Judg-
ment of plain peope-to pervert the COM
mon and innate sense of right and wrong, OF
moral people That such are the objects, and
such the character of the Nashville committee,
none will pretend to deny But they have been
rendered necessary and justifiable, it viii be re-
piled, by the caumnies and abuse heaped upon
General Jackson. But why so? Have not o.
Their public men been in their time abused and
vilifed? Was not Washington, Adams, Jelier-
son, each in his turn, the mark OF unsparlng
vtuperation and calumny-and did they or ell
Their Of them, resort to band OF chosen TRENDS,
Ca body guard as it were) to defend them from
the operation of public opinion, and to overawe
or mislead public sentiment? Never. They
relied-as every man of pure and -unspotted
life and character ever will, and safely may.
rely-upon the intelligence and impartiality OF
their fellow citizens, to render them justice.
They knew, as every man not bewildered by
the consciousness "of crimes within, unwhlpt
of Justice" would know-that good reputation
and name without stain, are shields OF ada
mant, against which calumny will vanly emp.
ty its culver; and that he who feels that he IS
without reproach, will too always be without
fear. Yet certainly party spirit, and the lcen-
tiousness of the press, were then more violent
and INSCRIPTIONS than at this day-bad as
in BIO h respects they still are. II is then GER
taiuly calculated to produce upon the public
mind an impression unfavorablc to the cause OF
Gen Jackson, when it is seen, that he presents
himself before the country with host OF com.
purgators, with their documents, vouchers and
certificates, ready prepared and that instead OF
relying upon the just influence OF his character
and services, and upon the intelligence and JUS.
tice of his fellow citizens, he points TO his body
guard, and bidding them unroll their volumin-
Gus compilations, says in effect 'heie are my
credentials, read these, believe these, reject all
other knowledge and testimony concerning me,
my conduct and character and then, though
even these admit, as they must do while they
seek to extenuate, or Justify my offences "a
ganst the laws Of God and mani call upon
you, in virtue of these testimonials, to prefer
me, for the first Office in your gift, to man
who has no testimonials at all
And it is even SO. John Quincy Adams has
no testimonials at all-uo vouchers-no certi-
fcales. IN the purity and directness OF his
heart, he has the simplicity to imagine, that he
may safely commit his fortunes 10 The decision
of country, which from his early youth, he
has ably and honourably served, without seek
ing by any adventurous means 10 bias that decl-
sion. In his respect for the intelligence and a
cuteness Of his fellow citizens, he is SO blindly
partial as TO believe, that they are not TO be i'm
posed upon by exparte and interested state
men,s; but that they will inquire and determine
for themselves, as TO the merits and dement's,
principles, qualifications, and services, Of pub
lie servants, and according 10 these will prefer
or reject them. He presents himself indeed as
candidate--in its original and Roman sense
in spotless gar5 Of white, and says boldly,
becau his conscience tells him it can be said
truly, "let any one, that can, affix stain upon
this whie-if not, 1 ask your conference.-the
cause then am deserving Of It,"
Fellow-cilizens: Can there, between two such
candidates, be any hesitation! Can the moral,
enlightened, and educated people Of these U.
States hesitate between man, against whom
the utmost reach o! malice has never imputed,
either in his private or his public life, we will
not say an immoral, but even questionable act
Ito whom all concede talents, requirements,
application, and industry, of the highes, order,
and man who comes before them, pleading
guilty TO acls, certainly, in our judgment, no,
questionable-acts Of immortality, violence, and
bloodshed-but with certificates TO show, how
this was mistake, and that unavoidable, and
the other duty-who has resigned every civil
office TO which he was ever elected or appoint.
ed-and for whom, even partial friendship does
not claim ally but ordinary capacity, little or
no requirements, and no usage, habits, or expe-
rience Of business. We will not wrong our
country so much, as 10 suppose there can be
doubt as 10 its choice between the two.
7othe Editors ofths NLloge Record.
am not much accustomed to write for the |
public and should not now but that 7 think |