Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-01-17

isira,ion and its principal measures we nave
offered no pantgyric on the present Cher Ma
yis,ra,e; we cheerfully leave you TO estimate
the value Of his long and varied pubiic ser"i-
ces, his great perence, his iaisal, ms earn
ing. andtis private virtues, and 70 seteoh d
eainst.then whatever your fancy or your Juog'
ment NAV ind to blame, lHhis private or pups
lie I,c.~ VIII, YOU have done this, reflect on
the character Of the Office you are about 10 hi,
enquire what feelings, what temper, wha' tai
on; what requirements, what habits, are best
su;ted 10 the discharge Of its high duties; and
then carefully compare John Quincy Adams
with ANDREW jack son, in reference 10 thr great
oue stion. which Of Them is best qualitrd Tor the
first office in the nation, which most liKeiY 10
preserveto US, the distinguished dressings We
enioy. from which is most danger TO be aPPse-
hend rd, to Our peace and happiness, our 'i'ss
aud liberties?
1t is not in wantonness, that we speak, out
| in the sadness Of our hearts, we are com2ehSo
10 declare. that while we Weld our confidence
TO the presen, Chief Magistrate IN very dlftfr-
| ent degrees, we are unanimous, and unhesitI,-
ing, in the opinion, tina: Andrew Jackson l, al
together unfit for the Presidency, and that his
| cleo ton would be eminrntly dangerous, that
while we cheerfully accord To him his full share
of the glory, which renders the anniversary OF
the 9Th ofJanuary day OF Joy and triumph 10
our land, we must in the most solemn manner,
protest AGAINST clcim TO civil rule, founded
exclusively u3ga military renown, and avow
that nothing has occurred IN he history OF Our
I country, so much calculated to shake our con-
6d.nce in The capacity Of the people, Tor Self
| government as the efforts, which have been
made, and are yet making, 10 elevate 10 the
FIRST Office in the nation, The man, who, dls"-
4 beyinc the orders Of his suprflors, t:amping
on the laws and constitution OF his country,
sacnirirp the liberties and lives Of men, has
made his own arbitrary will, the rule OF his
conduct.
IN stating an opinion SO unfavorable to dis
,nguishcd n,who has rendered valua able SER
vices to his country, proper respect tor our
selves and for you, requires that we should de.
clare the reasons which compel US to withhold
our confidence from him.
Capacity for civil affairs, in country like
ours, where the road 10 preferment is open 10
merit. in every class Of society, is never long
concealed. and seldom left in retirement. Ge-
neral Jackson has lived beyond the age OF 90
wears. and was bred to The profession best ca
culated to improve and display the faculties,
which civil rmployments require; but the his
tory Of his public life, in these employments Is
told in few brief lines, on single page OF his
bioer ,phy. He filed successfully, tor very
short periods, the Off OF member oil the ELI
nessee Convention, which formed their state
constitution, representative, and Senator in
Congress, Judge Of The supreme court OF lem
uessre and again Senator, in tie Congress Of
the United STATES Here was ample oppor,u
nity for distinction, if he had possessed the AL
ent. taste and application suiIed for civil emf
E n.n.e But he resigned three, and passed thro'
!, .a!l-ot1hese stations, aeknowIe1glns bis unh'
all, and leaving no single act, no trace behind
! which stamps his qualification, above medioc.
rity.
For civil government, and in no station more
emphatically, than in that Of President Of the
United States, well governed temper is Of adj
mnea Importance; General ia, kson's friends
lament the impetuosity OF his, & all the world
has evidence Gifts fiery misrule.
10 mainta5n peace and harmony, in the del
ica'e relations existing between She government
of the union and the various state governments
in our confrderacy, requires courtesy and
forbearance IN their Intercourse. which no pas
sion should disturb, Let the spirit of DONNA
ton displayed in General Jackson's celebrated
letter To Governor Rabun, warn US OF the dam
ger of committing 10 his keeping,this precious
deposit, sacred to the union Of our Republics
and to the freedom Of mankind
Military men should never be allowed to for
get, that the obligation to obey being The sole
foundation of the authority to command, they
should inculcate suhordnauon, not by precept
only, but by examDle,-that profound respect
for the laws and constitution Of their country,
/ is an indispensable guarantee Of their WORTH
ness TO be entrusted with The sword. which is
drawn to defend lhem,-that they should lose
no fit OCCASION for manifesting that respect t, by
practical illustrations OF the principle, sacred
in every well ordered Republic, which pro-
claims the military subordinate to the civil pow
er,-tha' mercy even to the guilty, and huma-
nifty always to the conquered and the Captive,
are parl of the law of God and man, fouad in
every civilized code, written in every human
heart, and indispensable to the true glory of
the hero
Gen. Jackson has been unmindful Of these
,ruths:-lhoush he has njoined subordinaIion
by precep', and enforced it by authority, he
has not recommended it by example;--he has
offered indignty 20 the Secretary Of War, in
The very letter which assigned his reasons for
disobeying an order to disband his troops,-he