American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-09-18
For THE Y11cHMAN.

The friends of Gen. Jackson are at all times
urging in his favor, the possession of intrepid
ty, both physical and moral, that neither love nor
fear can lessen destroy. Bnt there are facts on
record that disprove the boldest assertions and
most ingenious illustrations, favorable to such
opinion. At the time the contest between the Fed
eral and Democratic parties run very high, during
The administration of john Adams, Gen. Jackson
was member of the United states Senate. This
was munentous era with party politicians
patriotic nerve was exerted to gain the mastery
democracy had been Frustrated, and was now just
rising from her degradation. And if ever the
abilities and fearlessness of Gen. Jackson we're
demanded in her favor, it was at this time. But
how did he act in his high, influential and efficient
station Of Senator : Did he stand forth with
dauntless heart and fearless lips, and defend the
principles Of the party Of which he professed him
self jealous member Did he courageously NICE,
the enemy, hand to hand, and stand the brunt OF
the raging contcsts No. these things he did not
do. He . ingluriously fed" from the contest, and
>hiunk to the shelter of private life. Too igno
rant to defend himself against the eloquence or
learning of his opponents, Or too cowardly to stand
FORTH and stcry aloud and spare not'' the COM
batants Of his cause, lie resigned his commit sion
and shielded himself from exposure. This is the
intrepid, Jealous. pure Democrat, Gen Jackson.
But there is another transaction Ut later date,
equally derogatory to his character Of purity and
fealessness his conduct in The Senate, at tp time
Henry Clay ras appointed Secretary Of State
Three months previous to the appointment OF this
officer, Gen. Jackson informed according to
his own belief and statement,) that Henry Clay
was bargaining for the appointment, and that fol-
lowing circumstances c0rroborated the fact
Now what should have been the course to be
pursued in such case, by Gen. Jackson, or any
other man Of moral courage or political honesty |!
ould it not have been proper, would 1t not have
been an imperious duty he owed to his country
and his conscience, to speak the secrets OF his
heart, on such an Important occasion, and freely
expose the delinquent before the Senate, and be-
fore the world? What would be thought of that
man, who would see one he believed to be dis
honest, ambitious asprant, stepping into an office,
that would not speak his disapprobation in the
most specific and unequvucal words! lie would
be considered either as too tmd or too unpafriotic
to express his mind. 1t was just so with General
Jackson. Tie saw man proposed to preside over
the most important destnes Of the nation, whom
he believed to be completely unfit, and yet he was
inert and dormant when, if he had had the cour
age mhich is attributed to him. he would have made
and supported the disclosure oil the facts within
| his knowledge. But he was mute. He saw the
principles of his government violated, and his
country jeoparded. lin his bellet.) by such All APP
pontment--yet his tongue was silent, and his pat
rotsm dead. Now supposING the Generals be-
lief to be true, is not his silence at such time,
sufficient to show his rant Of courage, 0hite seated
N the Legislative and ECecutire Councils Of the
Union RODNEY.