American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-10-16


and his election to whlch-howeyer some others
nav have changed their opinions in that regard
/ still think would be a curse to his country
would gladly assist in holding the veil over his de-
fects But having undertaken to present cor.
rect view to my fellow citizens of the existing state
Of alairs, | must perform the task, however pam
fu. In doing so. however, shall not 80 one step
beyond the necessity of the occasion to seek out the
fobles and offences of Gen. Jackson shall tor
bear to peep into the discussion Of topics which be-
long rather to a moral than to political tribunal,
being unwilling to inflict pain by unpleasant rel.
crences, unless they are llnperlously demanded
by considerations of public interest.
Here, then, is the portrait Of General Jackson.
Without etlucaton without experience iii political
affairs, utterly ignorant Of our international con.
Germs the regulation of which is the most prom
nent duty Of the President, destitute OF knowledge
in the rights of individuals Of the States, as
guaranteed by the Constitution and continually
liable to the influence of the most turbulent pas
sons. which. when reused, and they are easily rou
sed, betray him into the most unwarranable excess
SEES. Is this picture too highly colored ? Let US
look at few 81 the incidents Of his life. | seek
not to mansle-I am only executing justice the
smallest enumeration, therefore. that can answer
the purposes Of justice, shall suffice
His assault upon Col. Benton, with design to
assassination. detailed in Benton's appeal to the
public in 1918. which is vet uncontladlcted, must
satisfy every man that more outrageous act was
never committed in civilized society. Suppose
fellow citizens, the same punishment had been
awarded to Jackson that would have been awarded
to more humble citizens, where now would be this
candidate for the Presidency? IT he escaped the
penalties of the law from his power or influence.
will sou not only excuse him, but deem him wor
Thy Of an office, designed in its creation for the
best and wisest of mankind7 But sumo Of you
may say, We have nothing to do with his prirate
character, let be a. irregular or as violent as II
NAV it 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, can read without indignation, his nsolent
letter to Gov. Rabun-hs treatment OF the l.c-
gslature Of Louisiana, whose nall was surrounded
by his troops. to the exclusion OF the members
BIS arrest Of the Governor. with file OF sodery.
who ANONYMOUSLY dragged him along the streets
of his own capital as prisoner, while the tyrant
threatened before The assembled multitude to hang
him to syon tree il he again incurred his dis
pleasure. This is the man now held up as the
champion Of State Rights, But let US proceed.
The se,liton law, though ratified by the whole au
horitv of the Government, deservedly called
down the vengeance Of an indignant people OIL its
authors; vet the proclamation Of Gen. Jackson.
Infinitely more severe against the liberty vt the
press, is appealed to BY his friends as matter Of
commentator shall be Published but
,rhat he approresi He banishcs, by similar or
der, whole class Of citizens: the press prcsumes
to question lis legality the offender, member Of
the legislature, who had previously fought by his
side in all his battles. is arrested and imprisoned,
at time. too, long after he himself had announc-
I'd that the enemy had fled the country, broken and
destrpypd. A Judge of the federal couitis applied
to for hnbeus corpus under oath-he issues il, a.
was his bounden duty; but the successful cheftain
far from yielding obedience to this mandate Of the
civil authority, arrests and imprlsons the Judge =
The attorney of the United States, for cndeavor-
ing to vindlcate the majesty Of the law, shares the
same fate. He does not hang them, it is true
but he banshes the judge, and places the other Of
Tenders under military surveillance. And when,
finally, on the restoration OF peace, he is called to
account for some of these violations Of the law
and the constitution, his friends proclaim him
paragon Of excellence, because he did not let his
partisans commit violence on the court taking cog
nlsance OF his outrages
The enumeration of Jackson's improper public
acts, is as painful it is tedious shall content
Y myself with advertng to few Of the most prom
nent. In time Of profound peace, he expressly d
reefs lis subalterns to disregard any order ever
from the President himself, without his sanction
lie violated his positive orders in invading neu
trail country, and thereby substantially exercised
the high power Of making war, which must inevita
D bly, have ensued but for the weakness and pusilla
nimity Of the lnsuted power. He acted the Die
tatnr in putting TO death Arbuthno and Ambrister
b and ev,nced an innate thirst for blood in hangn.
an Indian who had fallen into his hands by strata
c sem-justityins this bloody procedure by avown
e that the only mode Of ciriLzins these unfortunate
I people was to esrterninate them. He caused tw
hundred of the militia men Of his own State to b
: ANONYMOUSLY punished, six Of them with death
G against the positive law Of the land, and unde
i circumstances shocking tohumanity. He decree
n eight OF the regular army to be shot in manne
G little less calculated than the fate of the mti
e men to excite our pity for the victims and horro