Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-06-02
From The Democratic Press
OE MD IEEEEDCnN

Where people manifest a desire to elevate
military man to the highest civil stations
merely on ccount ofmilitary services and quail
ilcations, there is but one opinion which wise
men can entertain ofthem. Such people indi
cate that they are not competent to the task o
self governments: That they are ignorant o
the nature of human government, and the con
tagion of that deadly principle which ha'
brought destruction upon every free govern
ment that has hitherto been establishedlin TIT
world; and which if not resisted will som,
time or other inevitably be the ruin of this; o.
else that they are destitute of principle and o.
regard for the welfare of The republic. AS Mr.
Biddle in his eulogium upon Mr.. Jefferson
with an %eloquence and wisdom worthy the de
parted sage, observes -"Such are the delu
"sions which military ambition sheds in turn
son. its possessor, and on the word, that its 'ri
"umphs begin with the thoughtless- applause
"of its future victims, and end in the madden
Sing i~ntoxication of it's own prosperity
The essential circumstance that gives
weight to the opinions Of Jefferson upon this
subject is the undoubted purity of them. Nc
selfish considerations could have been mingled
in his motives. His earthly ambition, what
ever it might have been, was terminated. Full
of years, and ripe in wisdom-in the glow o
patriotism and lightef experience, his warning
comes to us like a voice from the Craze. 1t i.
consolitary to witness the harmony of hi
views on this absorbing subject, with those o.
that signer of the Declaration of independence
who vet fingers IN this side of the grave, the
venerable CharlesC Carroll.
In addition to the statement lately given VIZ
extract the following from the Richmond
Wing.
$ III is not to sustain the certificate Of Levi.
Williams, that we undertake TO affirm that il
relates Mr.. Jeferson's opinion as he expressed
it to one or more of his friends, al diHeren
times, after it became evident that Gen. Jack
son had a strong party In the United States
who were willing to.make him President. Mr.
Williams certificate needs no endorsement
from any quarter-and we affirm such 10 have
been Mr.. Jeftrson's declaration, with the view
that. since his name has been brought into thi'
question, the public may be pu, in possession y
his language. 1t was, " that during q long pub
tic iife, nc had niiOstiDeiy suaiehsd The p.osress 2
euents in The United States, WmM the parf,cuia'
uiew ofsaitsfying his mind that mankind vere com
pefent TO self gouernmeni, to betiere which his prin
eipies inclined him; and that during his ,phoie po
Micai observation, the disposition of the american
people 10 elect General Jackson President, Wns TN
single circumstance Which had shaken his }aih, ant
made him fear that the American republic mas soo'
10 follow the fate 9faH Others, and o faH under ma
ftary rule"
This was the substance, and very nearly the
language of MIR. Jefferson, as reported to us by
one or more gentlemen of integrity, besides
Gov. Coles; whom we also heard relate it dur
ing his visit to Richmond the last winter. Il
can be abundantly established.