Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1827-07-31

power is no part of our political creed-We neither
inherited such principles from our ancestors, nor
imbibed them in any OF our schools. The freedom
of opinion and of action is with US cardinal maxim
that we are jealous TO MAINTAIN in its amplest vgor
yet we think it wise to repress unnecessary CON
tests in our country, that can lead 70 no public
| good, and particularly such as are calculated to
produce the greatest excitement Throughout the Re-
public If we could always be sure that these con-
tests originated purely and exclusively from pubic
views, and found no sustenance IN personal prc]u-
dices private feelings, in the hope Of individual
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT there would be less danger-for the
sense of public duty alone will seldom carry men
fDeyond correct boundaries, unless coupled with an
anammatory fanaticism that defes restraint
| In the examination of the subject before us,
must be calm and sincere. The question is Of too
serious Importance to permit our predictions and
prejudices to be enlisted in its service the passions
are not agents to be trusted In so grave NATTER
Neither the dazzling power of military exploit, nor
the rich stores of intellectual learning, must be
permitted to beguile on this occasion. The
welfare of the Republic is at stake and II we under
take to act in that behalf let us dlvest ourselves as
far as possible of all that may lead to error and
regardless of men, devote ourselves to the cause OF
the country with the strctest fidelity.
/ Necessarily led to take some view of the present
i Chief Magistrate of the country and of his mea-
sures as also of the distinguished Soldier who is
brought in opposition and of his character we are
not disposed to indulge in fulsom eulogy or unmerit-
cd reproach Called to lay our views OF great
national question before the people, we shall treat
these distinguished citizens with becoming respect.
and discharge the duty conilded to US with integrity
and hrmness
In resisting the set up by the advocates
of General Jackson TO enable him to supplant the
present Chief Magistrate, it would be The seyeFest
injustice to consider us wanting either IN respect
for the services in admiration for the success OK
that Celebrated Military Chieitan. In these points
we are not less sensitive than his warmest suppor-
tiers and we are again ready, as we nave always
been TO celebrate the victory at New Orleans and
to do honor to the intrepid hero who directed it;
i and should our country unfortunately be placed IN a
e state of war before his manly vigor and military
e taste shall decline such is confidence in his
patriotism that we should be happy to see him as
! socated with the gallant defenders OF our country,
q under the direction of an able and firm Admnisra-
= ton.
: In scrutinzing the life of General Jackson, we
see nothing that would Justify in considering him
qualified for the Chief Magstracy OF his country
and we mean not to sully, or to withhold any just
tribute to his merits by the declaration, that, bur
for the happy victory at N. Orleans, ne never woud
!, have been thought of as one of those from whom
= selection is to be made to ill the Presidential chair
If single brilliant victory is sufficient CLAIM upon
. Ms to elevate mere military man to the highest CT
: ell office over the heads of all Others be their quail
!, icaons what they may, then indeed the preten-
i sions of the General strong-but ~ as we con-
~ iitcntIy believe the sound, discriminating sense OF
~ the American people will consider many other very
= ;mnort,nt onaica as essential to fit man for
the Chief Magistracy of this nation we have yet to
,oarn that the General possesses them. AS a men,
Der of the Bar Of the Bench, OF the stare Conveh-
ton. of the Congress, he has never exhipheo NM
self above the level Of ordinary men; ana II IN the
civil stations TO which he has been called, ne mas
IT. been in no manner distinguished by the piauals o.
mt his country it was because his country was unac
of ona;nted with any peculiar merit that he had dis
on played. His only talent lies in military me- ane
OF there he appears capable of rendering good ser
ich vices to the Republic, and of gathering tame iol
himself But even in military life he has commit
ted errors that should warn us against consioerin
him best quaed for the highest CIVIL stanoh IN I'M
ba OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES at several tihes' ei'f -
~; doubt from constitutional hardwood, and an arden
.u zeal in his counry's service, but which were al
calculated to diminish the sanctity of the civil author
ity ;. !,
~ sunport him. have advcnturousiy attempted 10 ara
~ a narallel between him and the illustrous ounce
81 ofthis Republic-statng, that 1t Gen. 'achso ga
lan hbtions of greatness have hitherto been only NH
80 tary: those of Washington, before ne was cai,ea
- - the Presidential chair, were more-and that a
10 the belief of Washngtons competency to govern
20 chief MAGISTRATE was founded upon his Mllitar
~ conduct. that of General Jackson rests upon slma
ho Grounds Let us not yield to the feelings that I'M
parallel is calculatedto excite; we will treat It NOR
H.. ara, civ and reason it, and expose its faiiacy.
'e Canarol Jackson's renown is exclusively derive
from tbe victory at New Orleans and his rash eher
~. o;es in the wars with the indians-hls correspon
dence relates entirely to the limited duties OF IN
re- Military service he was then engaged ih' anu ~ mar
and ked bv no deficiency of talent-urlner than inns
,e we know of other preentlons OF the usnersi :.
IA MI