Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-05-28
PRINTED aND PUBLISHED,
DAILY,
Tor the Phenix Gazette.
BAYARD No. XII.


S;r-Fverv community contains within itseli
j., NORTON os that description OF men, who are
well calculated 10 become the humble minions
ne mower: particularly when that power Is
welded by few persons, or by single lndivl-
dual. With such persons, principles are but oil
li,tle importance il is not by them that their
condnc, is regulated. Averse TO the trouble OF
examination and reflection, they rarely imblbe
any settled opinions upon political subjects; nor
are thew the advocates Of any particular system
of public measures; kind of impulse which
NAV perhaps be considered as approaching
nearer to animal sympathy, than to any thing
else. is tina, which ordinarily governs their ac-
lions. in relation to public AFFAIRS IN short. with
such men, measures are nothing, and men every
thing. In free communities, where general
suffrage is ehioved, these men constitute the
capi,ai stock, with which the demagogue COM
nencps his political adventure. Contending for
no general system ofpublic policy, they are sell
dom found associating upon any principle con-
nected with the settled forms Of government, or
of us administration, they seem almost lnstinc.
lively 10 enroll themselves under the banners Of
leader, whose elevation is the chief object OF
all their efforts. AS from their limited capaci-
ties and requirements, such men are doomed
N
6Ie or marty. something more is always necessa.
nv to complete the organization; knowledge
ii This as matter Of course, draws 10 them
such ambitious men, as wish by their means, 10
climb into power, without the trouble Of quail
fying themselves in such manner, as TO deserve
the support of those whose object is the public
good. With such combinations, the mos con-
vincne arguments are he promise ofndividu.
,ka Il fratI nj
power Philosophical Investigations concern
ing cause and effect, have no charms tor them;
declamatory harangues, and military displays,
are the means by which their minds are capu
waited, and their service insured; hnn nIsr ~
have un'lornly rapyfi eeadrr, the country, and
oanneIs n X which they lived, furnished such
U dc,er; and let the conduct of tina, leader TO
e rest Of the commu0iiy be what 1t might,
they have always btsn found ready to ,indicat-
his course, even 10 the prosecution of civil war,
and the destruction Of the liberties of the ooun-
try Such are the allurements OF military
power; and such, | am sorry to perceive, are
among the indications which are visible in the
manner i'm which Gen Jackson is now support
ed for the Presidency. In my last, trea:ed Of
one Of the points on which Gen. Jackson relied,
as proving the necessity tha) existed a, New
Orleans, and which in his opinion justified him
i'm proclaiming martial law, and the violation Of
the Constitution, On that point, trust made
il clear 10 your mind, that in such matters his
iudgmen, canuo, be safely relied on, il indeed,
his honesty and veracity be conceded. On this
subject, incline to the opinion that il all the
other facts connected with it were investigated,
il would be found that none Of them had any
better foundation; bat that the whole Of MS
condGct in relation TO the declaration, and en-
forcrmen, OF martial law, arose from that DOM
iueerng and hecloring spirit which is so con-
spicuous in all his actions. AS on these points
the testimony Of Gen. Jackson himself cannot
be objected 10, or refused, Twill proceed TO
show, oy the eulogiums which he has pronounc-
ed on the patriotism and bravery of the several
troops, and the body of the people Of Louisiana
such body Of testimony as will, when contrast
ed with his sworn declarations in his answer
before Judge Hall, Of The almost entire disaffec-
ton which prevailed throughout that state, as
will at least siagger the minds Of such as have
not determined 10 sustain him at all hazards;
and such as will induce al least doubt as 10
what confidence declarations coming from him
ought 10 inspire. In reference to the commu-
oications which had been made 70 him previ-
Gus TO the invasion Of the enemy, concerning
the disaffection and reasonable propensities Of
the people OF Louisiana, the General says, in
his answer TO Judge Hall, that "he determine
TO examine with the utmost care, all the facts
tha, had been communicated TO him; and not TO
&C, upon the advice he had received, until the
cleare.t demonstrations should have dstermia-
ed its propriely." After detailing the process
of this investigation, he again says: "ln this
crisis, and under firm persuasion that none OF
these objects could be effected by the exercise
of any Of the ordinary powers contided to him;
under solemn conviction that the couatry
committed to his care could be saved by that
measure only, from utter ruin; under religious
belief that be was performing the most imPor-
tant and sacred duty; the respondent proclaim
ed martial law" Here We have the declaration
of Gen. Jackson, under oath, that he found on
personal examination, the communications
made to him concerning the disaffection OF the
people Of Louisiana was true; and that, that In
duced Sim 10 proclaim martial law. The an
swer from which the foregoing is extracted
was sworn TO by Gen. Jackson on the 27th CT
March, ,sl5. We will nov examine what cha