Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-12-10

and all mankind are trsiiToGtrd IN a ialt OF
universal darkness To you Mr.. Chairman,
belongs the high privilege of.'ran smiuing, IN,
impaired, 10 posterity, the fair Character and
liberty Of our country. Do you expect 10 exc
cute this high trust by tramplnc, or suffering
to be trampled down law, justice, the cons'i'u 3
ton, and the rights Of other people! BY rX-
hibi,ing examples of inhu:nani'y, and cruelty,
and ambition? When the miuions ut, despot-
ism heard, in Europe, oflhe seizurs Of Pensaco.
la, how did they chuCkic and. chIde. the adin-
rers Of our ms taNrors, tauntiugIy pointingAo
the demonstration of spirit Of injustice and
ACKNOWLEDGMENT made W our country; IN the
midst Of amicable negotiation. Behold, said
they, the conduct Of those who constantly
reproachng kings. You saw how these ad-
mirers were astoumded and hung their heads.
You saw too, when that ilIus,rious man, who
presides over US, adopted his pacific, moderate
and just course, how they once more lifted up
thea heads with exultation and delight beam
ing in their eoan,enances. And you saw how
those minions themselves were finally compel
led To unite in the general praises bestowed
upon our government. Beware how YOU for
felt this f&nae! character. Beware how you
givea fatal sanction in this infant period of our
republic, scarcely yet two score wears Old,
to military INSTRUMENTATION. Remember that
Greece had her Alexander, Rome her Caesar,
England her Cromwell, France her Bonaparte,
and, that if we would escape the rock on which
they split we must avoid their errors.
How different has been the trcatmen; Of Gen.
Jackson, and that modest and heroic young
man, native OF one Of thsssmalIest states in
the union, who achieved for his country, On
Lake Erie one Of the most glorious victories OF
the late war; IN a moment Of passion he for
got himself and offered al act OF violence which
was repented as soon as perpetrated. lie was
tried, and suffered the judgment to be Pr"noun-
ced by his peers. Public justice was thought
not even then 10 be satisfied The press aud
congress took up the sub eCt My honorable
friend from Virginia Mr.. johnson) the faithful
and consistent sentinel of the law and Of he
constitution, disapproved, in that instance as
he does in this, and moved an inquiry. The
pu bic mind remained agiialed and unappeas-
ed until the recent atonement so honoraby
made by The gallant commodore. Aud was
there 10 be = distinction be" ecn the officers Of
the two branches OF the public service? Are
former serS.Ces, however eminent, l.: preclude
even inquiry lnIo recent misconduct! l. there
10 be 10 limit, no prudential bounds 10 ;ile H..
tional gratitude? He was not disposed to CEN
sure The president for not ordering court Of
inquiry or general court martial. Perhaps,
impeIcd bya sense OF gratitude, he determined
by anticipation to extrod to the general that
pardon which lie had :hc undouJted right 20
grant afier sentence. Let US, said Mr.. G. not
shrink from our duty Let Us assert our con-
slitut,unai powers, aud yrhdicate the instrument
from military violation.
He hoped gentlemen would deliberately sur
vey he awful lsthmus on which we stand
Thcy may bear down all opposiion; they may
even vote The general the public thanks; they
may carry him 'riumphantIy through th:s
house. But if they do, in my humble Judgment,
it viii be triumph of the principle Of insub-
ordrna iona triumph Of the military over the
civil authori;y-a triumph over the powers Of
this house--a triumph over The constitution Of
the land. And he prayed most devouiIy TO
heaven, that it mightnot prove, in its ultimate
effects and consequences, a triumph over the IL
berries Of the people: