Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-06-16

The following is the last Of series OF very
sensible essays written by citizen OF Pennsyl-
vania, and originally published in the United
States Gazette:
,ow-Citizens-With this numberwe close
our remarks upon he important subject, 10
which we have ventured to call your attention.
We say important, because we consider that
no question has been agtated since the adop-
ZION of our present Constitution OF SO much in
terest to the American people.
This importance does not attach to the sim
ple question, whether MIR. Adams or General
Jackson,is best qualified for the Presidency.
The question for the consideration of the A.
meric an people is-Can the Mgh prize Of the
chief Magisiracy of his Republic be conquered on
a Eeld of batie9.
Ii so, we may soon bid adieu to that venerable
Constitution, which we have been educated 10
consider as the fairest fabric Of human wisdom.
Yes, fellow citizens, If we suffer ourselves 10
by led captive by NlILlrARY.6LoRy, our Republic
must inevitably share the SANE fate OF all that
preceded it.
In making this observation we mean no dis
respect TO General Jackson, whose Important
pnbiic services enulle him to public gratitude.
But we apprehend great danger from the alarm
ing precedent which it would establish, OF re-
warding military services with the highest CT
vii honors.
zone precedent ius,ihes another What is
custom to day, will be law to morrow"
"History, fellow citizens, is philosophy teach
ing men wisdom by example" Let US not shut
our eyes upon her faithful pages
Whilst referring TO military services, IT may
not be improper TO observe, that those who de-
vote long life 10 the CIVIL service of their
country, have also some claims TO public graft
titude
That wisdom IN COUNCIL, which foresces and
averts danger, is often Of equal value with that
m Hilary skill which conquers victory upon the
field.
We should doubt very much, If any military
achievement since the surrender of Lord Corn
wallis at Yorktown, has been of as much impor-
lance as the purchase of Louisiana. Spain
ceded that immense territory TO France. Ma
poleon had appointed Marshal Bernadotle, the
present king of Sweden, Zone Of the first war
riors of the age its military Governor
Commanding The mouth of the Mississippi,
France would have endeavoured to dismember
our Union. Mr. Jefferson foreseeing that dan
ger, averted it, by adopting the wise measure
of purchasing Louisiana. But mark the diff
ference between civil and military services,
General Jackson, for defending the Capital of
this said Louisiana, is considered entitled to
the Presidency, whereas Mr.. Jefferson, who
annexed that vast territory to our Uniou with
out shedding one drop of human blood, found
it difficult to obtain the privilege of a lottery,
te enable him to sell his estate, in order to keep
the Sheriff out of his house.
Fellow Citizens, the Office of President OF
the u. States, is a civil Office Nothing short of
the highest civil qualifications, can enable a
nv man to to discharge its important duties
either with credit to himself, or advantage TO
the Nation.
Our Constitution is a ciuil compact. The ca
I'll authority must govern-mus. be supreme, or
that Constitution must perish.
In concluding these remarks, the writer OF
them begs leave to observe, that he has no o.
ther interest in the great question at issue,
than what is common 10 every other citizen OF
this highly favoured land, which is the land OF
his nativity as well as that Of his foreiathers.
The writer never had any thing to do with
public life nor does he wish it.
From early youth he has been engaged in
commercial pursuits, which have frequently
called him TO Europe, uhere he has seen enough
Of the Empire Of the Bay6net, TO make him
wish TO live and die under the Empire Of the
Laws. SIMON SNYDER
An uniform edition of the works of Charles
Brockden Brown with his biography are short