The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-09-27

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bitterness of party. His worst enemies
have not denied TO him an intellect Of the
highest order, with an experience, @, the re-
suit Of more than thirty years employment
IN the public service, in situations the most
favorable for acquiring il, 10 which he was
honorably called by Washington, and eve-
~ succeeding President Cool and delib-
crate, no instance has occurred, either in
his private or puC1ic life, of his committing
an intraction on the law he has been gull
~ ofno nsolent defiance of the instruc-
tlons OF hls super'ors, Having learned TO
govern himself, he may be safely enirust-
ed with the government of Others.
How will General Jackson abide COM
parison with this character? " ish to speak
of him not only without malice, but with
! all due respect. Were il not for his pre-
tension to an Office, for which neither Da-
ture nor education designed him, and his
| election to whlch-however some others
may have changed their opinions . mar
regard--l still think would be "a curse to
his country" | would gladly assist in hold
ing the veil over his defects. But having
undertaken TO present a correct view 10 my
fellow citizens of the existing state of at
fairs, l must perform The task, however
painful. In doing so, however, | shall not
go one step beyond the necessity ofthe oc-
casion 10 seek out the fobles and offences
Of Gen. Jackson. ] shall forbear to peep
INTO the discussion Of topics which belong
rather TO a moral than 10 n political tribu-
nal, being unwilling 10 infiIct pain by un-
pleasant references, unless they are impe-
rious y demanded by considerations of pub
lie interest.
Here, then, is the portrait OF Gen. Jack
son. Without education, without experi-
cnce in political affairs utterly ignorant Of
our international concerns, the regulation
of which is the most prominent duty of the
President, destitute of knowledge in tho
tights of individuals or of the States, as
Fuaronteed by The Constitution and con-
unually liable 10 tbeipfiuence Of tho most
turbulent posslons, which, when reused.
lnd they are easily reused, bctray him in
10 the most unwnrraDtable cxcesses. Is
his picture too highly colored? Let us
look at few incidents of his life. | seek
not 10 mangle-I am only executing JUS
tice; the smallest enumeration. therefore,
that can answer tho purposes Of justice.
shall suffice.
His assault upon Col. Benton, with de-.
sigp 10 sssnssipationt M .de,ei,sd ip Rem
'pH bppcui W t1c w 1910, WHICH 10
yet uncon,radicted, must satisfy every man
that more outrageous net was never COM
mitted in civilized society. Suppose, fell
ow-citizens, the same punishment had
been awarded TO Jackson that would havo
been awarded To more humble citizens,
where now would be this candidate for the
Presidency? If he escaped the penalties
Of the law from his power or influence, will
you not only excuse him, but deem him
worthy Of an office, designed in its creu-
ton for the best and wiscst Of mankind ?
Bot some OF you may say, we have nothing
TO do with his pripdie character, let IT be as
irregular or as violent as IL may: il is his
public character which claims the need OF
praise. To that, then let us refer. What
man, having respect for the rights and
dignity Of State, cen read without indig-
nation, bis insolcDt letter 10 Gov. Robun---
his treatment OF the Legislature Of Louisi-
ana, whose hall was surrounded by his
troops, to the exclusion Of the members
his arrest of the Governor, with file Of
soldiery, who ANONYMOUSLY dragged him
along the streets of his own capital as a
prisoner, while the tyrant threatened be-
fore the assembled multitude TO hang HIM
TO "yon tree" if he again incurred his dis
pleasure. This is the man now held up aa
the champion Of State Rights! Bot Let NJ
proceed. The sedition law, though faii-
fed blythe whole authority of the Govern
ment, deservedly called down the ven-
geanee Of en- indignant people on its eu-
thors yet the proclamation Of Gen. jack
son, infinitely more severe against the lib
eriy Of the press, is appesled to by his
friends az matter Of commcndation--
nothing shall be published but what he APP
propes lie bansbes, by similar order,
a whole class Of citizens the press pre-
sumes TO question it's lcgality--tho Offend
or, a member of the legislature, who had
previously fought by his side in oil his bat
ties, is arrested and imprisoned. at n time,
too, long after he himself had announced
that the enemy had fled the country, bro
ken and desiroyed. A Judge Of the federal
court is applied to for u hdbeds corpus un-
der oath-he issues II, az was his boUndcn
duty but the successful chieitsin, far from
Welding obedience 10 this mandate Of the
civil authority, arrests and imprisons the
Judge. The attorney Of the United States,
for endeayoring TO vindcate the majesty Of
the law, shares the Same fate. lie does
no, hang them, il is trUc-but he banisbes
the Judge, and places the other offenders
under military surUeiiicnee. And when,
finally, on the restoration Of peace, he is
called to account for some Of these viola
lions Of the law and constitution, his friends
proclaim him paragon Of excellence, be-
cause he did not let his partisans commit
violence on The court taking cognizance Of
his outrages
The enumeration Of Jackson improper
public acts, is es painful as il is tedious. I