Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-31


vent his election. Although the Delegations
from four States voted for him, and his preten>
sions were xealously pressed 10 the very last
moment, it has been OF late asserted, and De-
lieve by some Of the very persons who-then
WARMLY espoused his cause, that his incompe-
tency was so pal2abIe as clearly TO limit the
choice to two OF the three returned candidates.
In nv view ofmy duty, there was no alterna-
live but tina, which I embraced. That had
some objections to Mr.. Adams, am ready free
ly TO admit, but these did not weigh feather
in comparison with the greater and insurmount'
able objections, long aud deliberately entertain
ed against his competitor. take this occa-
sion, with great satisfaction, to state; that my
objections to Mr.. Adams arose chiefly from
apprchensions which have not been realized.
have found him at the head Of the Government,
able, enlightened, patient Of investigation, and
ever ready 10 receive with respect, and when
approved by his judgment, 10 act upon the
counsels Of his official advisers. | add, with
unmix, pleasure, that, from the commencement
! Of the Government, with the exception OF Mr.
Jefferson's Administration, no Chief Magistrate
has found the members Of his Cabinet so unit
ed on all public measures, and so cordial and
friendly in all their intercourse, private and OIL
fetal as those are Of the present President.
Had voted for General Jackson, in opPo'
ton to the we'll known opinions, which enter
tanned of him, one tenth part of The ingenuity
and zeal which have been employed TO excite
preiudces against me would have held rae up
10 universal contempt; and what would have
been worse, Ishould have feH that really de-
served IL.
Before the election, an attempt was made by
an abusive letter, published in the Columbian
Observer, at Philadelphia, paper which, as
has since transpired, was sustained by Mr. SEN
ator Eaton, the colleague, the friend and the
biographer Of General Jackson, to assall my
motives, and to deter me in the exercise o! my
duty. This letter heing avowed by Mr. Geofge
Kremer. l Instantly demanded from the House
Of Representatives an investigation Com
| mittee accordingly, on the 5th day OF FEB
1925, appointed in the rare mode Of balloting
by the House, instead OF by the selection oil the
| Speaker 1t was composed OF some OF the
leading members of the body, not one OF whom
was my political friend in the preceding Presl-
Dental canvass. Although Mr.. Kremer, in adj
| DIRE ssing the House. had declared his wiling
ness to bring forward his proofs, and his readi-
mes, To abide the issue Of the inquiry, his fears,
or other counseis than his own, prevailed upon
him to take refuge in miserable subieriuge
OF all possible periods, that was the most mt
ting to substantiale the charge, IL II was true.
Every Circumstance was then fresh; the wines
ses all living and present; the election not yet
complete; and therefore the imputed corrupt
bargain not fulfilled. All these powerful con-
sderalions had no weight with the consPira-
tors and their accessories, and they meanly
shrunk from even an attempt TO prove their
charge, for the be ST of all possible reasonable
cause, being false and fabricated they could ad.
duce no proof which was not false and fabrica-
ted. ,,,, r.,- now
interviewed, portion Of the press devoted TO
the cause Of Gen. Jackson, has been teeming
Wit. m lies, calumnies agains: me, and the
chatsr, oder every cameleon form, has been
thousand ,ines repeated, Up 10 this time,
have in vain invited investigation, and demand
ed evidence None, not a particle, has been
adduced.
TIE extraordinary ground has been taken,
| that the accus-rs wrr not bound TO establish by
proof the guile Of their designed victim. In
civilized, christian and free community, the
mons,rous principle has been assumed, that ac-
cusation aud conviction are synonymous; and
that the persons who deliberately bring forward
an arocious charge are exempted from all OBJ
legations TO subs, antiate il! And the prerext
is, that the crime, being Of IA political nature, is
shrouded in darkness, and. incapable of he'ng
subs,antiaied. But is there any real difference,
in this respect, between political and other OF.
fences? Do not all perpetrators OF crime ell
deavor to conceal their guilt and TO elude delec-
ton? If the accuser of political off nee is a5
solved from the duty Of supporting his accusa-
ton, every other of offence stands equal
ly aosoived. Such principle, practically Car
ried into society, would subvert all harmony,
peace ard tranquility. None--no age, nor sex.
nor profession, nor calling, would be safe a
gainst is baleful and overwhelming influence.
1t would amount to an universal license to uni
versal ealumny!
No one has ever contended, that the proof
should b. exclusively & directly that ofeve-wit-
nesses, ,estifying from their senses positively 10
the fact. Political, like all other Offences, may be
established BY eircums,an,ial as well as posi-
tive evidence But do contend, that some evil
dence, be i, wha, it may, ought 10 be exhibited.
II there be none, how do the accuscrs kno,O that
an offence has been prrpera,ed? If they do
know il, let US have the facts on which their
con, lotion is based. will MOI even assert that,
in public affairs, citizen has not right, freely