The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-10-24

u.
ism. he commit the peace of the nation, or I
ofIar violence to the constitution. In hne.
Il should be well ascertained that he had
learned how to govern himself, before he
is entrusted with the government OF DINERS.
Ii there rejecting man IN this country
who Will deny that these are indlspensa-
HE qualifications in candidate iof the
Presidency? Before we hurry away to a
decision, then, let us inquire which OF the
individuals. to whom our choice Is connned,
annroaches nearest to the standard. In
nr;rate life n prudent man would not need
advice 20 inquire into the qualifications OF
one whom he was about to employ In the
manarement Of his affairs. Hewould look
for an agent among those, whose expert !
ence and capacity were suited to the uu-
ties 10 be performed. He would take care
TO select the best he could obtain. Is II
not a species of treason against hDerly IT.
self to be less solicitous about the selection
of a properly qualified citizen to MI the
Presidency, where, on his fitness, essential
ly depend the best interests OF this great
republic? Let us, then, try the two can
didattess eh S tbs r standard Ii 9 agreed Upon
ter for integrity, and all the moral quali-
ties. has never been arraigned even by the
bitterness of party. His worst enemies
have not ,;caied 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 it, to which he was
honorably called by Washington, and eve
nv succeeding President. Cool and dehb-
crate, no instance has occurred, either IN
his private or public life, of his committing
an infraction Of the law; he has been gull
" of no insoient defiance of the instructions
of his superiors. Having learned to gov
crn himself, he may be safely entrusted
with the government of others.
How will General Jackson abide COM
parison with this character | wish to
speak of him not only without malice, but
with all due respect. Were it not for his
pretensions to an Office, for which neither
nature nor education designed him, and his
election to which-however some others
may have changed their opinions IN that
rerard-I still think would be " a curse to
the country" | would gladly assist in
holding the veil over his defects. But hav-
inc undertaken to present correct view
to my fellow citizens of the existing state
of affairs, must perform the task, howev-
or painful. In doing so, however, | shall
not go one step beyond the necessity of the
occasion, to seek out the foibles and
offences of General Jackson. | shall for
bear to peep into the discussion of topics
which belong rather to a moral than TO
political tribunal, being unwilling to infiict
pain by unpleasant references, unless they
are imperiously demanded by considera
tons Of public interest.
Here, then, is the portrait of General
jackson. Without education, without ex
perience IN political affairs, utterly ignor-
ant Of our international concerns, the regu-
alton of which is the most prominent duty
of the President, destitute of knowledge in
X i.4ls.-iIials ar of the States
as guaranteed by tho ennStitntinn--dIiu
continually liable to the influence of the
most turbulent of passions, which, when
Tonsed-and they are easily rouSed-be-
tray him into the most unwarrantable eX-
ceases. Is this picture too highly colored?
Let us look at few Of the incidents of his
life. ! seek not to mangle-I am only ex
eclting Justice the smallest enumeration,
therefore, that can answer the purposes Of
l5stice, shall suffice. A
Ills assault upon Col. Benton, with de-
sign to assassination, as detailed in Ben
ron's appeal to the public in 1913, which
is vet uncontradicted, must satisfy every
Taan that a more outrageous act was never
committed in civilized society. Suppose,
Fellow citizens, the same punishment had
naen awarded to General Jackson that
would have been awarded to more humble
citizens, where now would be this candi-
ssate for the Presidency? If he escaped
ire penalties of the law, from his power or
influence, you will not only excuse him, but
ieem him worthy of an Office designed in
creation, for the best and wisest of man
iad.
But some of you must say. we have moth
my to do with his private character, let it
DC as irregular or as violent as it may it
IS his public character which claims the
need Of praise-To that, then, let us refer.
WHAT man, having a respect for the rights
5nd dignity of state, can read without
Indignation, his insolept letter to Governor
Rabnn-his treatment of the Legislature of
louisiana whose hall was surrounded by
has troops, to the exclusion of the members
his arrest of the Governor with file of
saldiery, who ANONYMOUSLY dragged him
dong the streets of his own capital as
. prisoner, while the tyrant threatened be-
fore the assembled multitude to hang him
% ron tree,'' if he again incurred his dis
pleasure. This is the man now held up as
The champion of State Rights But let us
proceed The sedition law, though ratif-
ca by the whole authority of the Govern
!nent, deservedly called down the ven
goance of an indignant people on its au-
fhors yet the proclamation of Jackson,
infinitely more severe against the liberty of
The Press, is appealedto by his friends as a
ynefcr ofcomme ndation, nothing shGtLb pub
hsheR hi tclat he approves He banishes,
~ q similar order, whole class ofcitizens
he pros1mes to question its legality-the
offender, a member of the Legislature, who
had previously fought by his side in all his
battles IS arrested and imprisoned, at
tirne TOO long after he himself had announc-
cd that the enemy had fled the country
broken and destroyed. A Judge of the fed
eral court is applied to for hdbeas corpus
under oath--he issues it, as was his bound
en- duty but the successful chieftain, far