Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-05-23
PRINTED ASD PUNISHED,
DAILY,
FOR the Phenix Gazette.
BAYARD No. X.

IN tIe Uoa0rqbk iouI- McIASE, Senator IN Congress
from The Satsgf Deia'cre,
SrR.-The interval between your term OF SER
vice as a member of the House oil Representa-
tive,, and the commencement OF your career IN
the Senate, being favorable 10 calm and dis
nassiona,e retrospect of your political labours,
/ have up 10 this tine refraiued from disturbing
sour repose, by pressing upon your considera'
lion any farther remarks OF mine, on the subject
of the repeated declarations made by the par,i-
zans Of General Jackson, that you had, as vo-
lunteer, been mustered into bis service. Al
though il woul! be with the creates, reluctance,
that nv mind could be brought 10 concede, that
these declarations had any fact whereon to resi-,
vet, even presuming that you were at any time
inclined in that direction, under the operation
OF Fictitious causes, have fiattered myself, that
all that was necessary 10 counleract any such IN
ciination, was time sufficient for your Judgment
10 act deliberately on the subject. That time
having been afforded, now propose 10 con-
,inue the discussion. There are few principles
which actuate the human breasl, which are
capable Of being reused into more intense ac-
lion, than that attachment which all men have
for the couotry which gave them birth: 70 the
place where they have spent the days of ianciful
ton was floating in the imagination and con-
stantly presented TO view; and where all the
dreams Of future prosperity and happiness.
which enter into the expectation in early life,
are soughtto De realised A philosophical en-
ouiry inro the causes, and particular operations
OF this principle. is not called for in commu-
nication like this: il will be sufficient TO observe
its existence, and note some bits consequences.
1t is principle which, under the name of pa
triotism, constitutes one of the strongest links
of the chain DIV which the different members OF
political communities are bound togelher-lt
is principle which men, in all ages OF the
world, have been emulous of being considered
as possessing in an eminent degree.-lt is
principle on which the greatest and most virtu-
Gus, of which history gives an account, rested
their claims to public appreciation: and ii has
also been the theme of every political advcntu-
rer, time out of mind. And here, sir, ei the
call your attention to the great difference there
is. between the real and pretended patriot
There is, perhaps, no point in regard 10 which
history affords So many lessons OF experience as
on that: and yet, plain and easy to be understood
as these lessons are, how few there have been,
who were willing TO apply them to the proper
subject, at the proper time; and how many have
Deen lNNelSfu, Nv idlSe pTStcbScS, W iohoW d
phantom. and ncglec, their substantial interests.
10 give history Of the instances in which ar
ti6ce has succeeded in misleading public OPT
MON, to the destruction OF political liberty,
would he a tedious business; and 10 a man Of
your general reading, very undressing. 1t
would be task which have not the vanity to
suppose myself capable Of performing. Such
as wish TO investigate the subject, and ascertain
r al Jn
consult the history Of Pisistratus, Themis,ocles,
Pausanlus, Tiberius Gracious, Sylla, Caesar,
Cromwell, and Bounaparte. In these abuadan,
evidences will be found, amply sufficient to con-
vince the most incredulous, of the danger Of
trusting any man with the exercise Of power
not conferred by law, Notwithstanding the MANY
professions he may have made, OF attachment
TO the liberty Of the citIzen and the public veal,
or the many important services he may have
rendered 10 The country. 1t seems TO be one of
the misfor,unes Of human life, that even our
good principles are capable Of, and frequently
are diverted to bad purposes: accordingly ann
bitious men have bssp too often abe TO turn love
of country TO the public injury, and their own
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, by artfuily associating and
identifying their schemes Of poser, with the
defence OF he country against some real or pre-
tended foreign enemy. MS Is usually the
main pillar on which the military aspirant and
denagogue rests his claims to merit; and hence
the great danger Of war TO republic; because
il has a positive tendency 10 weaken the power
Of the greas body Of the people, and increase
that Of few men in authority. A careful exam.
nation Of the history Of the life OF Gen Jackson,
has produced in my mind full conviction, that
it is TO these, and such like causes, may fair
" attribute the popularity which he ha. enjoy
ed; and not TO any superior merit or qualhca-
ton which he POSSESSES, for the discharge of
the duties Of any civil Office You, sir, having
served the country ten years in Congress, must
be able to Judge with tolerobe correctness, what
kind of talent is most useful in public men, and
tend most TO pronote the best interests of the
country The talents and requirements of Gen.
Jackson are well known to you; and feel
confident that if called on for an expression of
an opinion concerning him, your answer would
be, that his capacity is very moderate; much
below the mediocrity Of those who have figured
as American statesmen: to which will add as
nv own conviction, that had it not been for the
peculiarly fortuitous circumstances connected
with his public life, his whole history would
have been yelled in obseurity; and that in few