Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-09-15
From the National Journal.

assertion and personal violence, then would
Gen. Jackson's prospect Of election for the next
President b. without a. cloud upon it. But, on
the other hand, if the public suffrage can only
be obtained by The power Of rea son, then is his
prospect entirely overshadowed by Clouds
assert boldly, and prescribe all who doubt"
This is the creed Of the Jackson party; this is
the motto on the Opposition flag. Upon the
intelligent and high-minded part Of society such
course can produce no other eject than 10
excite indignation and spirit Of resistance
Blu, it is not to this class Of citizens that the
party is directing these desperate means. They
who control the Jackson presses are well aware
that in every nation there is 10 be found body
Of individuals, varying in numbers according 10
the amount Of intelligence which is dffused
throughout the community, without any fixed
principles or settled opinions by which to re-
gulaie its course The ingredients Of this mass
are altogether acted upon by the impulses, OF
good or evil tendency, which may be impaired
TO them. Acciden, will frequently give them
taeir motion * direction; but they are more pc
culiarly obnoxious 10 the efforts Of men OF pro-
figale designs & ostentatious promises. They
lie on the surface of the face Of things, and, it
they are not moved by the accidental or artful
causes TO which we have referred, they ultimate
" fall into The main current, and roll down and
swell the tide OF opinion. Ii upon this fioat-
ing, undetermined mass, that all the assertion
and violence Of the Jackson politicians and
presses are intended to operate. The appre-
tensions Of the virtuous and intelligent OF the
people are therefore reasonably excited, lest, by
the possible triumph Of sucn party, all the
results which presented themselves TO our wise
and patriotic ancestors, when they had perfect
ed the frame Of our republican institutions,
should be counteracted; and those institutions
themselves be placed in danger.
The floating mass to which we have refer
red NAV be divided into two classes; the igno-
rant and the vicious. The former may be
won from error by the simple opera tions OF
truth and knowledge; with the latter, nothing
can be done but through the agency OF their
fears. What with bold assertion, therefore,
on the Que hand, to which they hope to give
the currency of truth, and with threats OF 'io-
Ience and prescription on the other, the agents
Of the Opposition hope to secure to themselves
the whole of this body Of the people. They
may be said, therefore, to have conspired toge'
Their to destroy virtue and knowledge, and TO
restore the gloom and tyranny Qf that ancient
Vandalism, the effects of which many centu-
ries of wise and liberal exertions have scarcely
vet entirely eradicated from mankind.
If there be any individual engaged in this IN
iouitous plot whose mind is not so completely
darkened by error as 10 prevent him from see
ing the perhicious consequences winch must
result to society, from the success OF such ma
chnatiors, ie, him pause, and think seriously,
before he steps beyond the reach OF retrea'.--
Assertion canDo: long occupy the seat o' arsu-
men,: falsehood cannot permanently retain Tue
parb Of truth; and the tyranny Of violence VIII
no, ALWAYS be able 10 resist the vigorous inarch
Of Intelligence We do solemnly believe mat
The tendency OF the course now pursued ny tue
Jackson Editors is 10 give that direction 10 our
glorious efforts for freedom, which, by atheists,
murderers, and can, philosophers, was given 20
The attempts made by the people o' France, a.
the close Of the last century. We have no lear,
indeed, that we shall ever see such series OF
awful tragedies performed on our soil, Tor Inc
amusement OF any would he ruler, as France
was condemned 10 see. Our nationa' cha'aI
ter, our individual morality, our general inter
lieence, all forbid such a suspicion. But
continued course Of prescription aud falsehood,
of assaults on personal feeling anG established
prjnciples, and Of violations of all those moral
obligations on which society rests, must lead,
If il canno, be successfully resised,to catas.
,rophe, which, although less sanguinary, VIII
not be less fatal 10 our prosperity and 'nde'
pendence.
Are we asked where we shall find the eVlden'
| ces that course OF falsehood and violence Is
that which the Jackson party has adopted ior
itself? We refer TO the columns OF their Jour
nails IN all parts of the country. we eau o"
the conscientious lover Of truth, and the ad'o-
cate of a strict morality, to open any single pa,
per which bears the badge of opposition, and
If he can read it throughout without admitting
,ha, his feelings have suffered from the opera
lion, we will confess ,ha, we have cen>u'ed un-
der The dicta,ion of prejudice, instead OF the
discretion Of sound Judgment. What was
the charge of Kremer and Gen. Jackson against
Mr.. Clay, but falsehoad--a aroved falsehood
as FAR as the Generals own witness and friend
has testified? a falsehood long persisted IN, m
deed, but not the less falsehood! What was
the tale Of the splendidly furnished East room
in the Presidents house, but falsehOod! as.
serted, indeed, on the authority and personal
observation Of Member Of Congress, but moi
| the less falsehood? What was the tale OF the
expenditure of public money BY the President