Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-01-01


ond Alexander. to deter us from uniting eur sufra-
gGs upon General jackson, because his election
viii Afford fatal precedent of the predemsnancy
oi the military over the civil virtues. We are
called upon, say the friends OF Mr. Adams, by ev-
cry sentiment VI patriodsm, 10 reject claims found
ca principally, ii not entirely, upon military seryi-
Ecs and military renown.
The citizens here assembled, are free 20 admit
shat the glorious exploits oil General Jazz. son in
arms welded for the defence and safety vi his
Sountry--his ardent courage md devoted patriot
isin-hs generous enthusilsm which coninuni-
Gated 10 others gathered around his standard the
gallant spirits OF the wcst-;ha heroic resolution
and hrinnesS " soul which TO dangers could shake
or difficulties cause 10 faltcr-that noble conf
dence in the Justice of his cause, and the pro-
tcc,ing aid of divine providence, which would ne
yer yield to feeling of apprehension despair oi
the destinics of the rep'l. lie, have given him a
strong and ndisputable hold on their affections.
In his gallant and successful defence of New
Orleans-his bold and rapid decision--his fruitful
cSpcdients and sku ccmbina,ions-hiS intuitive
knowledge of mankind, which enabled him TO
select the fttest instruments for the execution OF
hs designs, and TO place trust and confidence in
such only proved themselves worthy of it :;
Vie citizens here assembled think they perceive
the operations of vigorous powerful, and dis
corning judgment, fitted not only to military hat
civil affairs, and the inanil of pure, noble
and disinterested spirit Of patriotism ever glow
ed in the breast OF citizen soldier.
l'i~ ell III most critical and responsible situa-
iQG-thc defence OF important, valuable and
interesting portion oil our country, committed 10
his charge, at distance from the seat OF Govern
ment, and left almost entirely 10 Che oNerOn OF his
own energies and resources The force Of Bril-
flin, (that force which had ''pal'ied" the soul of
tr Adams, even when viewed across the Allan
TIC, and caused him 10 prognosticatc the downfall
OF his country arraycl in military ponp, flushed
by the recollection OF recent victories the
veterans of Bonaparte, confident OF success, AMI
painting for beauty and booty, threatened the city
irun without with deSoation and ruin, whilst trea
son.as he had reason 10 believe plotting within
20 weaken and impair lis detcnces At this mo-
Ucnt General Jackson proclaimed martial law; an
oct violating as he well knew Che letter u the
constitution, but redeemed by the master princi-
pie which enters into every form oil government,
and sanctiied BY the purity of motives which led
10 its adop,ion-he rested his justification and de-
fence upon the ground of impcrious necessity, for
which no written constitution oi government can
provide, but which must be left for its approval
reprobation and punishment 10 the Judgment of the
people, who have already spoken through the
representatives, in Congress, and eXoneratcd him
from all blame in transaction Conspircd only hy
devoted love OF country and directed 10 the safety
and protection of its inhabitants.
notwithstanding the result Of this invcstiga-
ton, an investigation incluGing most Of the acts oil
his military lie, proved so honorable to General
JackSon, and satisfactory 20 the great body of
the people at the time the pJrtiZans oil Mr.. Adams
overlooking the able and eloquent defence of them
6y that gentleman when Secretary oi State, have
reiterated these charges against HIM with increas-
ed rancor and malgnty, accompanied by attacks
upon his private character, and inroads upon his
domestic peace, which cannot fail to excite tho
disgust and adherence OF every impartial and
honorable nind-because, forcsoOth, he has had
TIE audaciiy TO yield to the earnest solicitations of
4 numerous and respectable portion OF his fellow
Citizens, and TO permit his name TO be used III
way that may interfere with the hopes of their
iavourite. They have cndeavored In every posi-
BILE mode 10 blacken his reputation, to tarnish and
pIlier his laurels molly won and TO degrade and
rum him III the estimation OF his countrYInen.-
They tell Us that the introduction of his into
the canvass has flooded the country with the
ters OF bitterness May rot this bitterness be the
fruits OF envy and jealousy repining superior
merit, looking with jaundiced and evil eye at
those deeds OF heroic enterprise, which it cam new
or hope to Iiya--and seeking 10 hide its olious
Fquint under the mask OF pretended concern Tor
the welfare of the country.
Had jackson been graded in the lap Of war,
accustomed tin ough life 10 military command and
military usages, might admit the force Of the
objections urged against him; we might fear the
effects Q. that arbitrary and despoc temper which
- SO apt 10 be nurtured amidst such scenes, and
suppose him stranger 10 The character and prac-
ucdl operations of our-fTee constitutions, and
scquenty disqualified 10 preside them. But
when we reflect that lie has had only three years
experience III war, (years memorable for his go-
rious aclievemcntS) and that all the rest of tong
lie has been devoted 10 civil Euis,i.tS and rural
occupl.ioIs--that he has held in succession most
OF the nigh civil Offices of his state, the duties of
which, from the flc OF his frequent cotton, be
must have discharged 10 the entire satisfaction of
those by whom they were conferred. We are lost
in wonlcr and establishment at the attempt which
j. made to exclude him from the Presidency, upon
tie ground Ct his being a military coftiin.
IT services rendered at the call OF hi; country,
am with the aid of his yeominry confer this oiiOus
distinction, operate this unjust cNclus- then
c0wardce and trcachery may cone TO be regard
al as recommendations TO those offices wnic
ought only tO be bestowed on the brave and patri-
nIc. Why should claims highly respected
and so richly rewarded i'll our revolutionary he
Tocs, place jackson under perpetual ban con-
denim him 90 perpetual iulcio ity, withhold from
him the trust ana confidence OF his How citizens
forever.
But we arc alnonished that he vents capacity
for the discharge fthe duties OF the office of Prcsi
dent nnd they rcfert 20 the fact his resi-. ming after
holding them only for short time all those so
freely AMI repeatedly conferred on him by the
people OF his state a10rding the strongest evil
dcncc OF his own sense OF incOmpetcncy. We are
aware that lust for Office is the prcdonna,ing vice
al our countTymcn and that there are certain
families which would wish 20 render them hcred-
jraly, and certain individuals who would never
j. in them but with life. We recolect too that
the advocates OF Mr.. Adams, place his strongest
recommendation upon the circumstance OF his
having been in office for 50 many years, ami I'M
der so many different Adunstraions-yct we
had imagined that a citizen of this country might
practically recognize that canon Of republicanisu
which recommends rotation in Office without in
curing ccusurc or reproach, b,ing suspected of
uniitncss. We hold this canon in great ycuera-
lion, and feel increased confidence in General
Jackson from this trait in MS character. lie who
i subtitle tenacious OF Office will never seek 90 ri
tain il by indirect or diShonorablc means.
pom full review Of the character and conduct
o! General Jackson, the citizens here assembled
have come 10 the conclusion, that there is nothing
st 70 trfh ttc1I l-r,, =.