Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-30

pushed by the plaudits Of his country, II was
because his country was unacquainted with any
peculiar merit that he had displayed. His only
talea, lies in military life, and there he appears
capable of rendering good services to the ne.
public, and of gathering fame for himself
But even in military life he has committed e.
rors that should warn us against considering
him best qualified for the highest civil station
in the Observation-Disclosures at several times,
emana,ing, no doubt, from constitutional hardi-
hood, and an ardent zeal in his country's ser
vice, but which were all calculated to diminish
the sanctity ofthe civil authority.
The adherents Of the General, in their zeal
to support him, have adventurousy attempted to
| to draw parallel between him and the illusri.
Gus Founder of this Republc-stating, that II
Gen. Jackson's exhibition Of greatness have
hitherto been only military; those OF Washing
ton, before he was called TO the presidential
chair, were no more-and that as the bellef CT
Washington's competency to govern as Chief
Magistrate, was founded upon his Military con-
duct, that of General Jackson rests upon SINH
lar grounds. Let us not yield to the feelings
that this parallel is calculated to excite; we Will
treat it more gravely and reason on 1t, and ex'
pose its fallacy.
General Jackson's renown is exclusively de-
rived fion the victory at New Orleans, and his
rash energies in the wars with the lndlans-hls
correspondence relates entirely to the limited
duties of the Military service he was then enga-
ged in, and is marked by no deficiency oftaients
further than this, we know of no other pre-
tentions of the General to extraordinary dis
tinction To compare this miniature, present
cd by his friends, with the grand historical
painting of Washington's life before his call to
the Chief Magistracy, that covers the walls OF
all Chrisendom, is doing injustice to General
Jackson by an extravagant attempt. Not stop
ping to compare one lucky victory that rescued
city, with brilliant seven years warfare,
that redeemed People, and gave birth to an
Empire, through every day and every event oil
which, the most dispiriting pri'ations, the
most hazardous conflicts, the most appalling
dangers and trying difficulties were encountered
and surmounted by perseverance as temper
ate as it was brave, and by skill as well direc-
ted as it was masterly.-W ashington's Military
campaigns are, from first to last continually
intersperssd with the strongest evidences OF his
profound and statesmanlike mind which now
constitute some Of the richest treasures in the
American Archives.
1t was not his successes at Trenton, al Prince
ton, at Monmouth, at Yorktown, or at any Of
Of his well fought fields, that called him to the
Chief Magistracy-lt was his long and ardu-
ously tried fidelity, his uniform temperance un-
der trials, his "invariable regard TO the rights Of
the civil power, through alldisasters and chang
es," when he held supreme military command
1t was the direction he constantly gave to the
political councils Of the country, by his wise
and patriotic advice when he was guiding the
armirs-It was those master pieces OF political
wisdom, his addresses 10 the Governors OF the
several States, that are now read almost with
the admiration Of inspired writings, that fixed
every eye and every heart upon Washington,
Chief Magistrate of the United States. And
in looking back upon his life, anterior TO the
year 1899 it is hard to tell, whether his merits,
as soldier were higher than those OF states
man-but Of this she world are assured, that
neither military power nor success ever made
him arrogant, nor induced him even to a
doubtful excess. His military life was the lof-
tiest example, under all circumstances, oil the
most temperate exercise Of power-of strictest
subordination 10 civil authority-and whilst the
heated passions or deep designs OF others scdu-
ced them to attempt ac,s Of characterization,
Washington allayed the rising storm, and calm
~ offc red himself as a voluntary hostage for his
country, that the wrongs Of his brother soldiers
should be redre .sed.
If General Jackson suffers in this contrast, il
is owing to the imprudence Of his friends-we
have done no more than TO perform duty TO
the man who was chief in the hearts OF all, whose
fame must not be hewed down to reduce him
10 the dimensions Of others, or 10 subserve the
schemes of combinations that are daring, or Of
ambition ,ha, is aspiring
From this view we will turn 10 offer the rea-
sons and inducements which render us content
ed with he existing administration Of the coun-
try-And here we will frankly declare, that nei-
Their favoritism or the one hand, nor aDtipathy
on the other, have any influence over us-For
we do not remember 10 have been called, on any
occasion, 10 decide great national question,
more free from every bias that would be likely
to lead US as,ray: No Circumstance has ever oc-
CURED to- give rise to personal prediction
that we could indulge, and surely we can have no
prciuGices agains, the Hero Of New Orleans.
Ii it had fallen to our lot TO have entertained
personal attachment in this case, which we
openly disavow, we know that we should find
great palliative in the universal concession, thai
such attachments are always venial, and there
fore we should not disown it. But il we thought
we were guided by unfavorable preiudices, we