Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-11-19

sDinSier, } 10 all the iiluSlIiouh o"nN \'
ing) Of the military worlnies OF the keVoiuuon
In those days of republican simplicity, II was
considered sufficient to reward soldier with a
soldiers honours, and inexpedieDt to set up
birb and Difficult, civil Offices as the prizes oil
successful valour. Gen. Washington was in
deed great Military Commander, and wa;
called TO the head of The Government; not,
however, by reason merely CT his warlike a.
chievements, but because he combined, in an
extraordinary manner, the talents of states
man with the qualities Of soldier Although
we entertain a just respect for. Gen. Jackson,
we should consider it dsparagement o.
Washington 10 attempt parallel between them.
We consider Gen. Jackson deficient In the tai
cp,s, information, temper and experience, re-
uuisite 10 conduct the executive Government
of the United States; man who, although ne
has filled many civil stations, has been distih :
guished in none, and has resigned most OF them
with an ayowal Of his incapacity, or his lnhrm>
i,y; Government which, OF all others IN tue
world demands The highest order oil talents
and requirements; by reason ofits complicated
constitutional structure and limitations; its ex
tensive relations, foreign and domestic; the
vast and diversified territory and population
upon which it operates; and The immediate a,
ccncv, and direct responsibility, Of It's chief.
He has, too, disclosed great faults and commit
ted capital errors. We have seen him, on some
occasions, claim and exercise authority I'm
known 10 our constitution and laws, without
necessity, and without moderation; and, on
others, display temper too herce Violent, ana
intracrable for the chief of a free limited ana
peaceful Government. We believe him to have
been honest in those errors; butitis no recon-
mendation to US that he considers usdrpation
,ttNa f1trarv
is one Of our strongest objections TO him lha'
he seems 10 be so unconscious oil his ianltS, as
to be incapable Of reform, and inaccessible TO
counsel We have no hope that, in civil Ca
pacity, he will pay Difference 10 advice, or SUBJ
nit to controvl, who executes the Judgements
of his Military Councils if he concurs with
them, and if not, executes his own; Or that he
would keep scrupulously within the pale oil the
Constitution and laws, who would punish the
imagination of treason, by Court Manual,
under the Cd section Of The rules aud articles
Of war.
We have, indeed, too much confidence in the
yigour Of our institutions, and in the character
Of our people, TO believe fer a moment, that
our liberty or government can be dependent
upon our selection of President ! he checks
and energies OF our Government, are now am
ply sufficient TO NEE, any emergencies which
may arise from the illegitmale ambition. or
tyranical oppression Of any public iunc'ionary,
however exalted or powerful; and there would
be found among the people virtue and patrlot-
ism enough to supply all defects in the Cons'l'
tuition and laws, or in the execution OF them,
and to cause the dagger Of Brulus 10 arrest
the usurpaion Of Caesar. Nor do weNappre-
bend any design or attempt to subver, our lih-
erty or constitution, from Gen Jackson, should
he be elected President. But the interest and
reputation Of lhesCoun,ry may suffer from his
inc competency, s. his indisoretion; and our pos
terity NAV trace 10 an example OF Military as
tendency Harmless 10 us, but ominous 10
them. the destruction ofthrir liberties by the
usurpa,ion Of successful Warrior. There is
one remaining topic TO which we deem it es-
sentialy due 10 ourselves, as well as 10 those
whom we support, TO advert: we mean the
charge Of corrup, bargaining for Office prefer
red against Messrs. Adams and Clay. IT We
could believe that there was any reasonable
foundation for that charge, we should turn our
backs with Indignation and contempt upon an
administration thus dishonoured. This, III
deed if true, would Justify, nay would demand
a change Of political agents, even without any
change OF Governmental measures. We have
held an impartial. but strict inquest upon this
charge; considering il as deeply affecting the
honour Of the country, as well as the characters
of the individuals implicated. Not having any
personal knowledge Of the fact charged, we, OF
course, looked 10 the testimony Of others. We
regarded such testimony as the only medium
by which we could arrive at the knowledge Of
fact not atested by ourselves.
We haze seen the repeated attempts 10 sup
ply such testimony, Iecoil upon the heads OF
the accusers and witnesses. The evidence, &
the charge, possesses alike Protean mutabill-
". The prosecution 10 sooner hears the rela-
tons Of its witnesses than it seeks TO discredit,
OF contradict them or, in order TO reconcile
their inconsistent statements, makes the charge
Procu ies' bed to the evidence. We have
seen the accused no, only defy, bu' demand an
investigation, and the accuser skulk from ii; and
that, too, in the place where the alleged fact
was committed, in the presence Of all the Wit
nesses, in the face OF enemies eager 10 sustain,
and prone to believe il, and before tribunal
amply competent 10 elicit the evidence, and
pronounce upon the charge. Notwithstanding
all this, we hear the charge continually repeat
ed, and vehemently Urged; and, to our great
surprise, upon the failure Of the testimony,
Iac, 1al l,,t The liz lion