Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-10-04


al law. and with mind imbued with the great
est powers Of discrimination and research, and
stored with various knowledge, he reaches re-
suits with a clearness, force, and felicity, that
carry certain conviction oftheir truth, and give
appearance Of his very decid.d superiority As
a man, he is mild, temperate, unaffected; OF I'M
blemished morals, and Of unimpeachabie ln'eg
rity.
Let US take a glance at the character and
pre,ensions of the candidate OF the opposition
for the high station a1Rresdent of the United
States. Utterly desi Il Of e,ril qualifications,
Gen. Jackson is used, Sy certain ambitious po-
lticiars, as the instrument most likely to effect
their purposes. He has SLED severalciv'l off,
ces, for short periods. These, distressing his
abilities, and, in truth, avowirg his unh!ness, he
soon resigned. He has left no trace behind, that
indicated more than ordinary capacity; thus 81
forGing 'he best reasons himself, why he should
not be clothed with the most delicate, difficult,
and responsible civil Office in the world. We
for bear to detail the multiplied enormi'ies with
which the history OF both his military and civil
life a5ounds, flowing from his arbitrary temper,
aud his ignorance, if not his disregard, Of hu-
man rights. Ii is enough barely 10 aude TO
his restrictions upon the freedom OF the press;
his imprisonment, Of free and unofftnaing eiti'
gems Of Louisiana, and in Florida; his imposition
Of grievous taxes upon the people OF this Ter
ritory, without the authority Of law; his lnhu'
man order for The slaughter Of six militia men,
whose only crime, if any, was mere error Of o.
pinion; the contempt with which ne has treat
ed the authorities of his own government, tram
pied upon the constitution aud the laws, and in
suited the representatives Of the people;-it is
sufficient to recur to these instances, in order
to excite the rejecting 10 inquiry, and 10 rouse
the supine to action. In the face Of these, and
many like unwarrantable acts, it is attempted,
by his par.isans, to elevate this man 10 the Pre-
sidency. In the absence, then, ofessential qua
li6catioDs, with long and melancholy cata-
logue Of misdeeds, bu, too we'll established, ar
rayeI agsips: him, 1t remains for the people Of
America to say, whether 'beyare CO: eat to elect
in Gen. Jackson, W orse than automslon Presi-
dent; man incapable Of understanding the COM
plicated machinery of government, in all its de.
lica,e and diversified relations; man, whose
domineering temper, has made men and laws
alike subservient to his will; man, whose cleo
ton, in the language Of Jefferson, will 60 fur
ther 10 impair confidence in the stability OF our
institutions, than any event since their founda>
ton. aud -i-.sA example, IS snccessful, will
proclaim to the youth Of America, mat the
surss, road to political distinction IS by the a.
chievements Of the sword, and that its suec cess
full use is, in future, to be made the standard by
fee.
In The 2urest ages Of the Grecian and Ro.
man Republics, reverence for the laws was no,
less a matter OF dis,inc ton and commentator,
than the valour, which nerved, in their defence,
the pa,riot-warror' arm; and their nfrac ton |
entailed upon The ,ransgressor an odium, no,
less condign, than attached, 10 The bastard, who
fol sock his post IN the moment Of impending
danger. In these United States, the people
acknowledge, under Heaven, no superior, but
The Constitution and The laws. These furnish
the evidences Of their rights, and form the SAFE
guards of their liberties. Ifvio!ated or impe-
rilled by one who has acquired a strong claim
10 the" solitude, ii becomes them to exercise
increased vigilance, and TO feel deeper solici.
ude, II not Tor i'.e punishment OF The of. nter,
II least n Withholding the highest mark Of
heir approha non, Lis election 10 the frs. Office
n their gift.
As Government has been established for the
public security and happiness, we have been
aught 10 confde in these cardinal rules, always
o be held sacred by the voter,-hat every
1Ua office should be conferred, not as reward
'u' as trust, for the benef. OF the people; and
hat their preference should be determined, no, ,
y n'id'y services, but the superior fitness, of the
andida,e for the Office intended 10 be filled. lie:
then weigh h, nm al -