Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-04-14

OF. il is his conduct on that occasion. Had
threats of military coercion been used, the pro-
liability of its application would have oeen In
creased, and, under the excitement which pre-
vailed, the commencement Of hostilities between
the federal and state authorities might have ter
minated our existence as free and united peo..
pie. No menace was employed. NO threat VI
military coercion Illuminated. The movements
Of those to whom disaffcction was attributed,
were observed with cafe, and silent preparations
were made to enable the government 10 act win
effect, should the application of force become
una oidable. The thre atened collision between
the fedora! and state authorities was fortunately
avoided The conduct Of the parties was SUBJ
mitted 10 the Judgment Of the American peo-
pie. The sentence which they pronounced was
just, and it will remain irrevocable. Public
opinion performed its office, and our republican
institutions arose from the shock with renewed
lus,re and increased stability The honest APP
prehensons Of those who had beforeSd bted
their capacity to sustain the pressure OF dan
ger and the conflict Of war, were dispelled, and
all the hopes which were founded on the anti
cpated dissolution Of our confederacy were de-
stroyed."
The Opposition proceeded so far in New
England that contention of " delegates from
the legislatures Of the states Of Massachusetts,
Connecticut, and Rhodr-Island, and from" seve-
raj counties of New Hampshire and Vermont,
Was held cat Hartford in the State OF Connec'
ticut" 10 devise "the means OF defence against
dangers, and olrelief from expressions proceed
ing from the acts Of their own government, with
out violating constitutional principles" Had
a military chieitain been president, instead Of
MIR. Madison, in what manner would he have
treated this convention, officially representing
three sovereign stales, and aUoUedly seeking
redress Of erie vances on constitutional prtncipies
Would he have acted with the moderation 81
Mr.. Madison, lest 'the horrors Of civil, might
be superatlded to the calamites OF a foreign
war;" General Jackson has already told us how
the "chieftain would have acted, not only IL he
had been president and commander in chief oil
the army, but if he had merely been commander
of that military district Several years after
wards, calmly and deliberately in his closet. he
thus writes to president Monroe:--"l am free
| to declare, had l commanded the military de-
par,ment, where the Hartford convention met,
fiji had been the inst act ofmy life, | should have
punished he three principal leaders Of the par
". am certain thar an independent court mar.
lal would have condemned them, under the Cd
section Of the act, establishing rules and regula
tons for the government Of the army Of the U.
States. These kind Of men, although called
federalists, are actually monarchists and trail
tors 10 the constituted government"
aud what is the section Of law under which
this would have been done! Here it is: ".And
be il further enacted, that in time Of war, all per-
sons mol citizens Of, nor owing allegiance 10 the
U S. of America, who shall be found lurking as
spies, in or about the Notifications, or encamp.
mems Of the armies Of the u. s. or any Of them,
shall suffer death, according to the law and u
sage of nations, by sentence OF a general court
martial" 1t would indeed have been an inde-
pendent court-independent Of law, aud justice,
and reason-that would have punished some OF
our mos, eminent citizens in Nav England un-
der this section, for meeting at Hartford by au-
thority Of sovereign states. But if the court
had acquitted them, the General could have re
versed the sentence as he did in Florida, and have
had them executed by his own authority!
1t is not improbable, that if he had been Pre-
sident, he would have declared the New Eng
land states under martial law, and have dis
persed their legislatures; for which he would
have had as good reasons as he had 10 do these
things in Louisiana II is at least certain, that
he would have involved US in "hostilities be-
tween the federal and state authorities (Which
might have terminated our existence as free
and united people" For the people and legis
laturcs Of New England would never have suf-
fercd their delegates, some Of their most distin-
guished and popular men, to be hung by mil.
itary despot, without defending themselves and
seeking vengeance by war;
| We have another evidence, that Gen. Jack
son would not have pursued the temperate and
successful course Of Madison; for he was OPP
posed 10 Madison as President, because he was
too much of philosopher, and "coufG sgt dwell
upon blood and carnage with composure," as
The general himself declared! Ifthen it be prov
ed that he is unfit to be President in time of
war, and if his civil qualifications be Of an in
ferior order why should we ever think Of max
ing him President under any circumstances
whatever?