Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-04-19
From the New-York American.

From the New.York American.
II has been often insisted upon in this paper
that with light and knowlcdgs as to the dispo-
s,ions, characters, and capacities, OF the Two
distinguished. men who are candidates tor the
Presidential chair, the people OF the Y. States
could not err in the choice; and we see daily
cause 10 hold with augmented confidence In
this opinion The great, we may say The sur
prising support given TO Ger. Jackson at the
last election was the result of sudden impulse
Of feeling unenlightened by nowledge>-uncheck
ed by reflection or enquiry-the recollec ton OF
his orilian, defence Of New>Orleans, and in
general, the dazzling effects Of military repnta-
zion operated with electric effect upon the pubs
lic-mind we canno, say-but upon the public
e cling, and wen, nigh 20 produce result, that
those most for~ ard 10 bring about would have
bren among The first 10 lament /, was un-
der the specious prc,txt Of gratitude for great
services rendered, that the highes, honours and
station were then claimed for Gen. Jackson, it
is under the same preirxt they are now again
claimed. Truly indeed, was il written by one
the fathers of our revolulion-JoHN ADAMS
in l7s5, in nbjecting 10 the institution OF the
Society Of CINCINNATI "the cry OF gratitude,
gratitude, is animal magnetism; it bewitches
| all mankind and has established every tyranny,
| on earth; SO true arc those words. oil Machlavcl,
mot ingrau.ude, but too much love is the
constant fault of the people" Happily
| the effervcscence passed off without absolute
presen, and obvious mischief, though even then
| none can tell INV many lovers OF freedom,
| throughout the world may with Mr.. j. fffrson,
and in his language, have had their faith in the
stability of our institutions itarfully shaken, by
| he support < iven 10 Gen. Jackson. None Can
Say how many pure but timid and hesitating
aspirations after liberty, may have been irretriy
.ably crushed by rhc i'll omened and discoura-
| ging popularity in this the chosen land Of Tree
| dom, "f sue cessiul soldier. Still we escaped,
as though menacet anew, we Shall again escape
--true--lhe same feelings are appealed to now,
as fore; the same contempt oi reason and re-
nance upon passion are manifested, ana all
warning voices are sought 10 be overborne by
the loud HUzzAs OF the camp. But Far differ
cnt now i, the effect; time has been given to ex-
anime, enquire and discuss. The Idol Of vic
tory, has been shewn 10 be, out Of the baltic
field, very wooden god. When the sword. *
The purmd helm, and all the pom? and circum-
s,aEce ul war, are laid aside, it is found that he
who seemed, and was, giant in arms, shrinks,
in all other relations ard aspects. low the or
binary proportions Of men. la short and with
on, fipurt the sane q utir---I--i---I --r'" as !
n,,,.~E,N,.-s mandrr led, and surpassed
the highest hopes of his Country, has been pro.
we'd, in civil life, to lack The quali6c atoms OF
edu cation, experience, capacity, temper, and
| iorbea'ance. But here again The cry of'grati-
,udc, "gratitude," is raised, and in its name
reproaches loud s long are heaped upon those,
who like ourselves have been in any degree in
slrumental, in placing befure the people these
d. Gciencies Of Gen Jacksun-"what," is il said
"sball an acknowledged public benefactor he
thus exposed? shall the page IN our national
annals which records his brilliant services I've
blackened with these blots upon his fame?"
Sand" we ask i'll reply "why not?" and "what
is the alternative of silencr?" and chow is the
discussion prov oked?" II disqnalfic atoms of
mind, temper, and instruction Can lie truly all
legged, they ought to be known, otherwise the
people are cheating themselves with The delu-
sion, that he who has evinced military talents,
must possess all and any other. In this view,
silence becomes criminal in those whose bu-
| siness and duly il is to watch, that the re-
public suffer no harm IF by silence, and
,enderness--cruel to the whoe-but, so>
icitous for the Tory al n IL dlvidual-,ht high
est i,il Office in the countryside higheS, in
| real dignity in any countly-become The prize
Of one unworthy to fill it-incapable either OF
! under nding or executing IT'S various and i'm
| DOrtdnt QuIltS, anu ~ consequently the nation
thereby suffer both disgrace and iujury-will i,
he any satisfaction Of It's wrongs, or mitigation
of is. dishonnr, that the incompetent civil ma
pistra,r, had been a triumphant soldier! or
iha, hi, martial exploits constituted bright
poriion Of the national renown? Moreover il
is the fault Of those ho urge, and not Of those
who deny, the claims of such man as General
! Jackson Ia be President THAT his character and
conduct are freely examined and discussed IF
they had been content with the need Of graft.
tude AID praise which The country had awarded
to the Generals warrior virtues, none would
have been found 10 unvei his defects for civil
sway. Ii he himself had been content to re.
pose beneath his maf'ial trophies he nigh,
have worn his laurels unquestoned, and in ho-
NOR. But stepping out OF his career, and seek
ing 10 enter upon another and vastly more
diffic uli on--he mus, be prepared at every
poiut-he must shew his ftness-and be able
TO undergo the scrutiny Of an intelligent and
Jealous peo2le-he mus, submit 10 the ordeal
nv ,yhirh HE cnr, netjtorS arr. tripd-he must