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

lion of JOHN QUINCY ADAMS as President
oftAe Uaiied States, and held in lie city Of Bal
tinaore on the Esd day of July 1927.
An appeal to the people upon matters OF
great National concern, is proceeding that
accords with the highest sense OF respect for
public sentiment, and is in entire consonance
with the principles Of Representative Govern
ment Happily living under a government OF
opinion, W. must always expect that contests
of orinion will arise, and it becomes us to enter
into such conflicts with the fearlessness that
marks freemen the Just Difference Tor the
oninion of others tina distinguishes those who
are in quest of truth and with a decorum that
belongs TO the character of our country.
meeting Of our fellow citizens opposed to
the existing Administration OF the Federal
Government, having been recently held In this
city, for the purpose of difnsing among the
people of he State, that spirit OF dlsconteht,
which marks the manifesto they have issued,
and Of arousiDg them to eject the present Ere
sident of the United States from office and to
substitute General Andrew Jacksonin bis place
II is from this decision, and from the opinions
and motives which sustain *, that we now ap-
Deal; and we desire to lay before the disposition
ate good sense Of the freenen cf Maryland, the
reasons of our dissent.
Implicit, obedience and non-resissance to a
ruling 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 zeal
Gus to maintain in its amplest ,igor-yet we
think it wise-t to repress unnecessary contests
in our country, that can lead 20 no public good,
and particularly such as are calculated to pro-
duce the greatest excitement throughout the
Republic If we could Railways be sure that
these contests originated purely and exclusive
Iy from public views, and found no sustenance In
personal prejudices, private feelings, or IN the
hope of individual ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, there would
be less danger-for the sense OF public duty a.
lone will seldom carry men beyond correct
boundaries, unless coupled with an infiamatory
fanaticism that de6es restraint.
In the examination of the subject before US,
we must be calm and sincere. The question is
of too serious importance to permit our prede-
Lotions and prejudices to be enlisted in its ser
vice, the passions are not agents to be trusted
in SO grave matter. Neither the dazzling pow
er of military exploit nor the rich stores OF in
tellectual learning, must be permitted to beguile
MS on this occasion. The welfare OF the Re
public is at stake, and if we undertake to act In
that hehalf, let US divest ourselves as Tar as
possible, of all that may lead to error; and
regardless of men, devote ourselves to the cause
ofthe country with the strictcst fidelity
Necessarily led to take some view II the pre-
sent Chief Magistrate Of he county and of his
measures, as also of the distinguished Soldier
who is brought in opposition, and of his char
acter, we are not disposed TO indulge in full
some eulogv or unmeri,ed reproach. Called
to Law our views Of a great National question
before the people, we shall treat these distlng
uished citizens with becofning respect, and dis
charge the duty con6ded to us with integrity
and hrmness.
In resisting the pretensions set up by the adj
vocates of General Jackson to enable him TO
supplant the present Chief Magistrate, it
would be the severest injustice to consider us
wanting, either in respect for the services, or In
admiration for the success OF that celebrated
Military Chieftain. In these points we are not
less sensitive than his warmest supporters; and
we are again ready, as we have always been, to
celebrate the victory at New Orleans, and to
do honor to the intrepid hero who directed 1t;
and should our country unfortunately be placed
in state Of war before his manly vigor and mil
itary taste shall decline, such is our confidence
in his patriotism, that we should be happy to
see him associated with the gallant defenders
of our country, under the direction OF an able
and firm administration
In scrutinizing the life Of General Jackson
we see nothing that would justify us in consid-
ering him qualified for the Chief Magistracy
of this country; and we mean not to sully, or
to withhold any Just tribute to his merit by the
declaration, that, but for the happy victory at
n. Orleans, he never would have been thought
of as one Of those from whom selection is to
be made to fill the presidential chair. If SIM
gle brilliant victory is sufficient claim upon
us to elevate mere military man to the high
est civil Office, over the heads OF all others, be
their qualifications what they may, then indeed
the pretensions of the General are strong--but
if,as we confidently believe, the sound, discrlm-
mating GOOD sense of the American people
will consider many other very important quail,
i6cations as essential to fit man for the Chief
magistracy of this nation; we have yet to learn
that the General possesses them. AS mem
Der Of the Bar, of the Bench, OF the otaie Lon !,
vention. the Congress, he has never exhibited
himself above the level Of ordinary men; and II
n the civil. stations. to which he has been