Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-02-06
TPor the Phenix Gazette. ]
BAYARD.-No 6.

Sir-Whateyer apology may owe you, on
account Of the number and prolixity OF these
letters, trust / shall not lay myself liable to
the charge Of a wan, of candor. In every thing
which have written, l have endeas ored 10 con-
hne myself to what either knew, or believed
10 be facts, and the obvious consequences which
necessarily Cow from them was prompted
to this undertaking, and the obtrusion OF my
self upon your notice, by the danger which, al
though once obviatsd, sill in some degree me-
naces the country. 1t is not enough IN such
government as ours, that we are permitted to
enioy our own opinions Of men and measures.
We have each an in,eres. much beyond that
We have an all important interest IN the gene
raj correctness Of public opinion in the aggre-
gate; and the man, who without arrogance or
unjust offence, expresses mis- honest opinions
upon public measures, and the fitness OF public
men for the stations they seek, or already oocu'
nv. is as much in the line of his duty as he who
possessing the RICH, Of suffrage, modestly, but
fearlessly, deposits his vote In the ballot box,
in favor Of the man, who in his opinion, pos
sesses the best qualifications for discharsing
the duties of the trust conferred. My last let
ter brought me TO the consideration OF the cha
rac,er with whom henoeforward, shall have
the mos, to do There is something extreme
ly unpleasant in discussing the acts OF General
Jackson. The character of his public acts, in
relation to almost every thing except his ar
engagements for the field Of battle, is such, that
do lasm sass
Possessed with degree of personal bravery,
perhaps never surpassed in any individual, he
has in a great measure relied on that quality, as
substitute for every other requisite; and his
friends, improving upon the adage, that "cha-
ri,y covereth multitude Of sins," wish TO make
US believe, that bravery is the sun'n'um DO
mum; and that he, who has met the enemies OF
the country in fight, and has conquered. is there
by a privileged character, in proportion TO the
extent Of his exploits; and if In his progress to
any Of his objects, he may have violated the
constitution and laws Of the country, ever so
palpably, why forsooth. he is a hero! and the
country owes him an unextinguishable debt Of
gratitude for the valor displayed in her service.
This is doctrine of grace, very much at vari-
ance with the nature Of our institutions, and
which after the performance Of one important
act for the benefit of the country, will authorize
pirating upon the rights Of the community, for
the remainder Of mans life. 1t is the doctrine
of Caesar, of Cromwell, Of Bonaparte, and long
list Of less conspicuous military men, who COM
menced demagogues and ended ,yrants. In
reference to General Jackson, we hear great
deal about public opinion, and the great warmth
OF attachment which the people have shown
to him; and this Is offered as a full set-of a.
painst all the offences which he has committed
against the constitution Of the country, as well
as every other Of a minor nature. The case Of
Bonaparte is one exactly parallel; he, too, en-
loved the almost universal attachment Of the
nation; be, too, was faSorie Of the people:
ne loved the dear people, though he had an in
yeterate dislike to every other law than tina,
dictated by his own win. So great, indeed, was
hi, regard for public opinion, for the will of
the people, that he would no, consent to wear
the imperial diadem without submitting the
question to the people for decision; and the
world was amused with the solemn farce, Of a
people believing themselves TO be in possession
Of, and exercising the rights Of republican free
dom, deliberately voting for an imperial mas
ter, and that too amid all the light which cha
rac;srizes the age in which we live. This was,
to be sure, an instance Of gratitude to a "mili-
tary chieftain," for the many privs,ions he had
endured in 6ghting the battles Of his country,
and in repelling the invaders Of her soil. But
tits an awful commentary on the poisonous in
auenee Of the military spirit on the vi,as Of re-
publican government With regard to the le-
ultimate evidences Of public opinion in this
country. the two principal in',rument'in which
j, il &c, forth and rsssrded, are the Declaration