The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-11-28
from the Black Rock Gazette.
GENERAL JACKSON

States, IN 1918, by republican Committee
OF which General Laycock, DISTINGUISHED
Senator from Pennsylvania, was chairman.
IL is inserted for the benefit of those VIM
ciamor so loud about Z" liberty and law.n-
" principles and not men," and q the viola
ton OF state rights by federal authorities.n
1t ls with regret that the committee
are compelled to declare, that thew con
celve Gen. Jackson to have disregarded
The positive orders Of the Department of
w ar, the Constitution and laws. That he
has taken upon himself, not only the exer-
clse OF those powers declared to CONGRESS-
as the sole legislative authority of the ma
ton, and TO the President and Senate as il
relates to the appointments hut of the
power which had been expressly rtsst,ryt,r;
/ to the states N the appointment Of the Off
GERS OF the militia. a power the more val
liable to the states, because as thew had
surrendered TO the General Governments.
the revenues and physical force Of the ma
ton, they could only look to the officers If
the militia for security against the possible
abuse OF the delegated powers The com
mlttee find the melancholy fact before
them, that military officers even at this
early stage of the republic, have without
the shadow of authority, raised an army of
at least 1880 men, and mustered them in
to the service of the United States. Two
hundred and thirty officers have been ap-
pointed, and their ranks established, from
an Indian brigadier general, down to the
lowest subaltern Of a company. To whom
were these officers accountable for their
conduct? Not to the President of the
United States, for it viii be found that it
was not considered necessary even to fur
nish him with list OF their names and not
until the pay-rolls were made out ana BAY
ment demanded, were the persons known
to the Department of War. And in this
place 1t Is proper TO observe, that Gen
Jackson seemed to consider those officers
OF his own creation, competent TO discharge
all the functions of Officers appointed by tie
authority OF the general or state govern
ments, for we find Ave of them detailed af-
terwaTds to sit on a general court martial,
on trial of life and death Might not on
the same principles, Gen Jac kson have tri-
ed, condemned, and executed any officer of
the Georgia militia, by the sentence of
court martial composed of officers created
by him, and holding their assumed authori-
ty by the tenor Of his will?
Your committee will discharge this
branch of the subject by observing that
consistently with the character ana genius
OF our government, no officer, however high
or exalted his station, can be justified for
an ntractlon of the constitution. 1t Is an
offence against the sovereignty of the ma
ton: this sovereignty Icing vesteu III the
great body OF the people. The constitution
10 the written expression of thslr will, ana
above the control OF all the pubiic fune ton
aries combined. And when the instrument
has been violated, the people alone have
power TO grant the indemnity for It's inlrac-
ton, and all that can he said in favor OF the
officer who transcenus his constitutional
powers must he taken, not in Justification
of the act, bat IN mitigation of the enornu-
ty of the offence committed. With this
view of the subject, which they conceive
to be IA correct one, the committee nave in
vain sought for ali excuse for the commands
ing general"
Now, we only wish the admirers of Gen.
Jackson to read the aboye-this was pub
shed to the worlu, in the Senate, when
the laurels OF victory were green upon the
broWs OF the General; it was drawn out by
a republican Senator; one who thought
more of the violated constitution OF hls
country, than he aid of this Man OF AmDi-
ton. Let the jackson party talk OF IN
trlgue-of corruption. Can they find
parallel for this outrageous conduct? Gen.
J. was sworn to support the constitution :;
but he violated it IN the face OF his lnstruc-
lions from the War Department
YANKEE DUEL. A few years since, one
of the New England states, was represent
Ell in the national Legislature, by gentle
man OF gigantic appearance, of ordinary
talents, and unaffected patriotism. lie
feared nothing human, but eutertuined a
peculiar aversion to duelling. lie usually
travelled to the seat OF government, on
horseback, when his duty called him to
represent his native State in Congress.
lie was very much respected by his CON
temporarles, as man of correct habits ana
industry.
1t on happened, that in the course of a
debate, he made use of some expression at
which Young Southron took umbrage,
and intmated an intention to challenge
the Delegate, after the session, for an insult
which he conc eIved was inten0ed Tor hIm.
The honest Delegate, hearing OF this, ana
not wishing to be exposed to the rudeness
of this iIotspur. nountei his faithful steed,
and bid adieu 10 the city of Washington,
on the morning following the day on which
the House closed its session. Arrived at
Philadelphia, he stopped at hotel, with
the intention of pass ng the night there,
and pursuing his journey the next day ];
the landlord, after supper, showed him to a
room on the fourth floor, and wishing him
pleasant sleep, left him.
In the morning, early, the servants of
the house were summoned to the door, by
violent ringing-the door was opened,
and 10 our young Southron stood before
them he hastily inquired for the landlord ;
the landlord was reused from his bed to
ascertain the gentleman's pleasure. " Is
the Hon. Mr.. - imyour house 2" "Yes,
SIR Il wish to see him." He cannot
be disturbed, Sir" :" must see him, Sir,
instantly, on business Of great Importance.
Il dare not call him up. hut if you will step
up to his room, Sir, you shall he conduct
cd y This offar heinr accented. the land