Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-26


In 1924. MIR Ritchie was one Of the most vi
olsnt opoosers of Gen. Jackson. The editorial
remarks of the Richmond Enquirer were parti-
cularIy severe upon the Hero's pretensions.
awe spoke (fhea said Mr. 2itchie) our opinions
freely of him in 1918, and in 1921. we crni-
ciseG his military career in Florida-and his
civil administration at Pensacola, freely, but
resnectfully And now, when new Crisis Is
come; when the interests OF the whole nation
NAV possibly be committed into his hands,
shall gratitude for his military Achievements I'M
nose an unbroken silence upon the press! Shall
the splendour OF his military reputation dazzle
the eyes of the people as TO his civil quallhca>
tions?"
No,c, when the chance is stronger than IL was
Then. that the interests Of the nation may come
under his control, Mr.. Richie suffers his own
ewes to be "dazzed by the military reputation
Of Gen. Jackson, and seeks to interest the peo-
pie in his cause by appealing to their gratitude
for his military ACHE ,menis."
In 1924, Mir. Richie proposed, for the con-
sidera,ion Of the people Of this country, these
oues,ions.-"ls, Is General Andrew Jackson
qualified BY his information as statesman to adj
minister the great powers OF Chief Slagistration
of this nation? I'd. Is he QUALIFIED by his fsmper
10 discharge the high functions Of this Office.
To both of these questions, alter an elaborate
investigation Of the whole subject, he answered
in the nCgatire.
No,c, with equal boldness he proposes the
same questions, and answers them IN the GGlr-
matiue. Risum teneatis am'ee:S
In 1924, MIR. ~Ritcaie Was ,riumphantly ex-
claimine-"Where was the political Iacnt oil
Gen. Jackson displayed? Where are the great
measures which he has originated, or support
ed with ability! Where are his speeches? his
dispatches? ais essays?'
Noto, when the people echo sWhere are they
he is iaboring TO prove that man is competent
to gill the Office of Chief Magistrate, destitute
Of any civil quali6e ations.
In 1924 he sad eve can commend Gen. Us
modesty in retiring from the Senate and the
Bench, when he discovered the superior quail
fcations of other people. Can we say as.much
for his motss,y, when he is aspiring 10 the high
es, office in this nation?"
No,c, he is aiding in the political elevation OF
this same aSQiyGni, whose modcsty he then com-
mendet for resigniDg station, which he had
not the talents 10 hod. -
in 1924, he affirmt {hat the "genias of Gen.
Jackson vas Of that rapid, fiery and ,mpetucus
order, that would render 1T difficult for him To-
ACQUIRE the information necessary 10 guide his
administration, aud cout5 continually subject him
10 rhe secret control Of superior minds; Of pOacss
behind the throns,"
Note he is advocating the cause OF man, and
endeavoringto persuade the people TO commit
the destinies of this nation into the hands 81
one who, he has acknowledged, would be under
The secIet control of superior winds. He is
willing that the presidential chair should be
filed hy puppet, TO be moved by the "wire
workers behind the stenes."
In 1924, he said that cit had been the fortune
Of Gen j. i'm every situation where he had been
trusted with'great authority, to signalize him-
self in some way or other. Power in his hands
is not very apt to sleep. His ardent temper
hurries him into measures, from the response
bility Of which his independent spirit dlsdains
to shrink.
No,p. he would have this man, whose passions
are uncomfortable, and whose love OF power Is
remarkable, to rule over US.
In 1924, Mr. Richie quoted this passage
from the New York American in one of his es-
says on Gen. Jackson, as agreeing exactly VITA
his own sentiments: "Duly estimating the mil
itarv qualifications Of the defender of New Or
leans, we cannot concede that his apparent ru-
ling maxim, that "the end justi6es the means,'
renders him equally competent to the proper
discharge Of civil functions; nor while we are
willing 10 believe that his conduc, may be gov
erned by views of public good, and by sense
Of abstract Justice, do we think that the lmpet-
uous violence of his temper qualities him 10
decide in nice points, on what may be most con-
ducive to either"
Notr, he writes whole columns to overthrov
the fact, which he then repeated with so much
self complaccncy.
1T is an amusing, and not an Improbable
task, thus to collect the opinions Of political
trimmers. Many designing schemers, and
would-be patriots are detected and held up 10
public scorn by reference TO their Inconsistent
course of conduct. The public have right TO
know why man ADVOCATES particular men and
measures one year, and condemns them I'll.
next. If interest and prejudice control bis
Judgment if he is not actuated by desire for
the welfare of his country, and a wish for her
honor and prosperity, his opirions should no
longer passcurrent with the people. Let him
be nailed d the counter as base COIN, n is Tor
this reason we say, that the Richmond Enquir-
er ceases to deserve the confidence Of the peo-