Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-01-25

I Of which, we regard Gen. Jackson, a;
wholly disqualified for the Presidency
and look to the prospect Of his election
with the most gloomy forebodings.
You think perhaps, pay poor COM
pliment to the virtues of our people and
the strength of our institutions by IN
INDUCING in apprehensions of danger
from the encroachmsnts of military
power, in the youth and vigor of our
republic, in the midst Of profound peace.
We should, indeed, do great injustice
10 the virtue of our people, the clrcum.
stances Of our country, and the value OF
our government, il we INDUCED IN the
idle fear, that an open attack upon our
liberties, made with any military force,
which Gen. j. could command in the
course OF bis administration, would
bring US under the yoke of bis power
These are not our apprehensions; we
would bid proud defiance to his pow
er, if he should so dare our liberties.
Nor will we do him the injustice to
charge his ambition with any designs,
at present, on the Liberties of his coun-
try, or withhold our acknowledgment.
that if they were assailed by others, we
believe he would promptly and boldly
draw his sword to defend them.
But we have no security for the con-
tinuance of peace in whatsoever hands
the government may be placed; and it
is not unreasonable to think. that in the
hands of man of military pride and
talent, and of ungovernable temper,
the danger of war will be increased. A
foreign war may come, may rage with
violence, and find Gen. Jackson at the
head Of the civil government, and com
mander. in -chief Of the land and naval
forces. Dissentinent views among the
States may arise, controversies grow up
between the State and Federal authori-
ties, as dssentons and controversies
have heretofore arisen:--and who then,
we pray you, can answer for the Gonse :
quences of that spirit, which said to
Governor Rabun, 1ohen an in the field,
you hare no authority TO issue q military
order! Reflect on this question, We
beseech you-on the peculiar structure
OF our government-on the collisions of
opinion, and the threatened collision of
action, both in peace and war, which
have already occurred between the
State and Federal authorities ~-and then
tell us whether the fear is altogether Viz
sionary.t that the first foreign war, serious
ly waged againstthe United States, with
General Jackson their chief, would
bring danger Of civil discord, dissolution
OF the Union, and death to the hopes OF
every free Governmentn the world.
We say nothing of the danger of civil
discord even when no foreign war should
sffiict us;-though the retrospect OF a
few short years would teach us that such
dangeri is no. imaginary,-and that the
slightest want of tact in its management,
the least indulgence of temper on the
part of the Chief Magistrate, might in
flame the whole nation, and Light the
funeral pile of freedom
There are dangers Of another kind. II
we are correct in the detail of offences
committed ~ Gen, Jackson against the
most sacred principles of our govern
ment. what will be the moral effect OF
the direct sanction given to these of
fences, by rewarding the offender with
the highest honor of the nation' Car
we preserve our love and reverence
for institutions, which we suffer to be
violated, not only without censure, bu
with applause? win not our affections
and our veneratcn be transferred from
the dspised laws and constitution, e
the honored hero who has abused them
from republican simplicity and virtue
to military pomp and gloryl Will vo,
not, in fine, by such example. lay th'
sure foundation of that moral depravitv
and admiration of arms, which mus
soon reduce us TO the condition in which
Greece was enslaved by Alexander
Rome by Casar,-England by Crom
well France by Bonaparts, and il
which we will assuredly find some fu
ture Jackson not too fastidious 10 accep
the preferred crown, and erect a militia
tary despotism on the ruins of the las
Republic.
| We appeal to the people Of Virgins
to say whatthere is ia the present part,
politics, SO alluring on the part Of tn,
opposition, SO frightful on the part o
the Administration, as to seduce then
to the fraternal embrace, or drive then
i Al