Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-04-29

II commenced with the existence Ui the preseh'
cabinet; before anv step had been taken or an!
measure de, eloped, the torch OF discoro wa
lighted and the messenger had gone ior'h
combir alton was formed between the vanqu,o"
ed partizans Of all the other candidates, anu ia
first effort Was 10 blast the reputation u "
Adams and Nh. Clay, by the charge OF cor,up'
bargaining for office. George hreher. ny
Der Of con gress from Pennsylvania, irieho VI
Cen Jackson 6rs, nut for III the offensive charge
in tn. house Of representatives. a eon''n's
was appointed a, the reques: OF Mr.. Clay, 10 ca
| anime the subject; &though tha' comnii''c1 ~
COMPOSED Of a majority Ut the friends OIL ",en'
| Jackson, We. Kre mer and his coadjutors, wh'h
called on to substan,iate the cnargeshrink 'ro''
| the investigation. The same charge was SuD''
quently reiterated by Gen. Jackson MIN
| MIR. Clay again met it with manly inoigna
| lion, and conscious Of his integrity, cal,eo io'
the proof To those friends OF The aoh''n,'
,ralion, not immediately conversan' VII" ~,
! Roman virtue OF this esiimable s,ales"|h, ~
was period Of painful anxiety. lie e"a.e
was made boldly, by a man who had s'ooa NO.
| in the estimation Of his country; ne ,a.e "
| the chief magistrate, as well as 'ha' ., w,
| seemed suspended upon the issue. Mr. Duen
arian of the Pennsylv ania delegation, was refer
red to by Gen. Jackson for proof; but Mr. Dueh-
anan denied every part of that charge. here
ordinary malice would have ceased, but the ma
Ieyolence Of he opposition was insatate-.he
foul calumny still propaga'ed IN o'he'
forms, and il became necessary Tor Mr. LAY "
DO what never before was required In any case,
to prove his innocence before any evidence was
adduced of his guilt. He has proved his inno-
ccpce, and that 100 by a body OF evidence so
conclus ive that no man having claims 10 can
dour or common sense, affects any longer 20
doubt his integrity.
1t has been allege as an excuse for the vim
dictive nature Of The opposition, that Mr.. A.
dams was not the choice Of The people. That
patriotism is at least quest onable, aud that vlr>
tue at least suspicious, that would thus stlze
upon the agitation Of the public mind TO bring
into disrepute the constitution OF our country,
and imparr the strength and soidity OF our
civil compact. Mr.. Adams was elected oy the
mode prescribe by the constitution. hat
constitution was the effect OF compromise be
tween the several distinct and independent state
soyereignties,b by which the smaller states HAVE,
in certain cases, the same weight as the Ian ger
But indie pendent of this, IL has been demon-
s,raled, that Gen Jackson had the greatest
number Of electors, yet they represented less
number Of votes than those in favor OF Mr.. A
dams.
When we come 10 sum up the qualifications
necessary for chief magistrate for tie Union,
and apply our most candid and deliberate Judg-
ment to the subject, preference Tor the pres
ent incumbent is Irresistible. He was poliu
cally educated in the school Of Jefferson, the
patriarch ard founder Of the republican party,
and his history is identified with that Of the
succeeding administrations. Learning, cxpe-
ri.nce. s,rorg mind and chaslencd temper,
added 10 the practice Of all The moral virtues,
defined him the safe depository OF power in
free government.
To General Jackson we checrfuiIy accord the
qualifications OF skilltul military commander,
and 10 those who estimate as we do The seIvlc-
.es he has rendered his country as such, II is
painful duty 10 avow our conviction OF his In>
capacity for civil government. lie is now ris.
ing sixty years of age, has been representa-
tive, and twice a Senator in Congress, :nem-
Der of the convention, and Judge Of the Sn~
preme Court in Tennessee. In two instances
he has acknowledged, and in every case mani
testify felt himself destitute of poli'i al expert
ence, unskilled in the science Of government,
and no, above mediocrity in the profession OF
the law, to which he was educated
His temper is impetuous, insubordinate and
cruel.-Lei established facts he submitted.
To avenee priv ale quarrel, he pursusd CO.
lionel Benton, and ed at The latter while sit>
ting at dinner table, with the deliberate in
D
tent Of a,sasSnation
He ordered the execution Of six mili,amen,
for no other offence than the assertion of their
right to return TO their families after their 'e>
gal term of service had expired, and that too
when they had voluntarily returned 10 camp
10 serve gu, their time according TO his erro-
neous construction of the law.
He slaughtered the Indians in cold blood at
the Horse Shoe and 81. Marks, under circum
stances that outraged the principles Of mercy
and humanity.
| He refused to disband his troops when or
dered by the legitimate authority, and insult
ed the Secretary Of war, in his letter assigning
the reasons for his dsobedience.
| He placed a, defiance The authority of the
war department, by general order, inlerdic,-
ing obedience to the directions of that depart
ment.
| He boldly violated the orders of govern
ment in his military operations in the Span
ish territory.
| He insuled Gov 2abun BY declar alton,
10 ha -, - tLa To, hal