Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-11-19

which il was threatened, when Jackson was
,rayersinp the streets of the Metropolis, with
his military family, denouncing vengeance "a
gainst the Representatives OF the people Tor
presuming to inquire into his conduct 1t is
known to you also, and must be continued
source of satisfaction, that by your prompt
and Jealous exerrions, aided by the hrmness
and prudence of Decatur, our history was eX'
empted from SO foul a blot.
do not advert 10 these things now to awa>
ken afresh the indignation and horror you
both felt al the time OF their occurrence, bu; 10
Justify me in the declaration have made, that
yon.waDt in other evidence than that already IN
your own knowledge, TO decide on Jackson's
unhtness for The Presidency, and the danger,
direc, and indirect which would result from his
election.
With this conviction on my mind, address
10 you this solemn question-Will you Told
your arms together * continue silent and pas
siye spectators OF such scene as your country
now presents? In the best age Of ancient man.
ners whenever the safety Of the Republic was
threatened, the aid Or the political patriarch
was invoked, and never In vain Neither age,
MIR circumstance, nor former honours were
pleaded in excuse Has our age degenerated, or
have the obligations of patriotism been chan.
ged? In modern times, your illustrious prede-
cessors present you an example worthy OF your
imitation. Washington came from retirement
TO head again the armies Of his country when
menaced with war. The elder Adams lent the
authority of his venerable name as an Elecfor
for his native State, when your election, Mr.
Madison, was opposed by some OF the choice
spirits now engaged in attempting 10 pull down
his SON. Jefferson filled IN interesting employ.
meut to the day of his death. And may justly
refer to your own cases Both you are adding
10 your well founded claims on the gratitude OF
your country by treadins m his footsteps. why
then, forbear to exercise the rights Of citizens
in the present fearful crisis? Why Withhold
your opinions and advice? Standing as you
do on the narrow isthmus that separates adj
vanced age from the grave, and exempted by
your situations from the cm3tations that lead
to human infiImilies, your opinions would be
received as The oracics Of wisdom. There Is
no. mansion, however great, nor hut, however
hnmble, which they would not reach. There
is not a man who would not listen 10 them
with respect mean neither to flater you. for
am no man worshiPper, nor TO degrade my
fellow citizens, for whom | entertain the pro-
fnundest aspect. wish only 10 5e understood
as urging, that were you to speak distinctly and
unequivocally your sentiments, every homes:
led, instead of pursuing with blind devotion
the dictalion Of party papers, to reflect, and re-
view his opinions--to hear both sides. This
reflection, and this review, are all that is wan
ting to secure the triumph Of sound principles
For nations like individuals have their seasons
Of in,oxications; both NAV be saved by timely
and friendly advice and return again 10 sobrie-
". Should we escape from the present military
phrensy,i it is not probable, at least for long
time to come that we shall again have toencoun-
er This formidable foe TO human liberty. May
tit not have been within the scheme Of Divine
Providence, that you have been permitted to
survivc'your contemporaries tobec ONE themes,
tors OF the age that by your voice every mod
ern Thersites might be rcbukcd?-fou have
only to raise that voice, and the Giles, and the
Van nurcns, the Kremers and the Eatons, will
hide their heads.
feel humbItd in encumbering grave ad,
dress to you with such names. 1t is no lault
of mine, but Of the times which are out OF
Joint as to have given importance even 10
them Merciful God to what condition
have we come, and what mockery Of the rep
resentative principle does it present, when such
men have succeeded to the Frankrins, the Ham
i,ons and The Jefiersons Of former age! And
Andrew Jackson, their chief, the proposed
successor OF George Washington. the admirer
Of blood and carnage, claiming to tenant the
mansion heretofore the abode Of the lovers of
philosophy and humanity. With what indig-
nation would the father of his country frown
from the canvass that adorns the vestibule, at
the entrance of this his Antipode! For, it can.
not have escaped your observation, that in ell
evating Jackson 10 the Presidency, we insult
the memory and degrade the character Of
Washington; among whose distinguished attri
butes was his respect. in every difficulty, and
at the gloomest periods OF the revolution, for
the ciuil authority. 1t was that sublime virtue,
SO rare in a successful revolutionary general,
on which the Congress that accepted his re-
signaton so emphatically dwelt in the answer
perhaps penned by you, Mr.. Madison
which they rendered 10 him on this wonderful
occasion Nor can il be doubted that this fea-
ture in his character above all others procur
ed him the high privilege Of standing at the
head of human kind. TWAS this which turn
ed every eye in America upon him as most
worthy of the first Office in her gift. But of
what worth will be :his virtue now~or hereaf
ter! and how meretricious must be that APP.
DIause which shall call TO the same high Office