Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-07-17

living before whom he made his threats as he
approached the city. In Baltimore there are
many persons who were present at the dinner
given 10 him there, who remember his sudden
departure. aud the excuse he offered for it.
The National Inteligencer of the 4th March,
1919, announced The arrival Of General Jackson
in the city at "day. light the preceding mora
ing. L. is believed there are sill in Washington
several persous who witnessed the interview
between Jackson and Decatur at the CAPITOL
Ii is certain there are many who can testify 70
, ne fact. ,ha, Commodore Decatur spoke of the
interview, and detailed the circumstances, as
we have here given them. The late President
and his family, Decatur's brother officers Of the
navy, as well as Others, might be referred to-
And although the Richmond Enquirer affected
to speak from authority, when il denied that
Dec stur had made The same communication 10
Mr.. Tazewell, a decent respect f. The character
of The latter forbids the belief thar he will en-
counter the terrible responsibility of deny
ing il "over his own NAME" 10 use MIL.
lrARY phrase Of the day. He knows, and
others TO whom he has told it have not for
gotten, with what delight he was in the ha-
bit Of dwelling upon, and embellishing this
incident in the life OF his friend Decaur.-
Many dinner company has he entertained
with the narrative, and though it sometimes
served him to display his peculiar talent Tor
amplfc aiion, the substance was as we have
stated it. But Mr. Tazewell had not then sworn
allegiance to the Combination lie had moi,
then tasted oil the "New Patent Political Pana-
cea," which has since worked such wonders in
the moral world He had not then dipped in
the Benfonian Lc,he, which sweetly washes
away all remembrance Of "lucal disputes and
personal predictions" He loved his gallant
friend Decatur, and loved to tell how mucn
his country was indebted TO him for say ing
its consecrated halls for they were then so
regarded--from outrage aud pollution.
If these things be true--and that they are
may he established by incontro, ertible evil
depce--how can General Jackson stand justified
in the face Of the nation, for the answer he gave
10 Mr.. Grundy's letter? Wa, was the allrga-
ton? That General Jackson had dared to
threaten members of Congress with violence,
even 10 The cutting of their ears for the exer-
cise of an unbounded privilege in anlmadvert'
ing on his conduct as public military officer;
and that he had sworn that no place however
sacred should prorci them from his unhal-
lowed vengeance Does he, une quivoca ally, deny
that he uttered such threats? The essence OF
a crime is the purpose, the intention; the threat
publicly 10 execute II, constitutes its audacity.
The particular spot IN the capitol where Gene
raj Jackson was arrested in his fell design, or
The precise language Of Decaiur's remonstrancs
to him, are circumstances ofminor importance.
And yet he has attempted 10 deceive the Amer
can people by deliberately presenting defence.
which may OF may not be true in the letter, but
which is in substance gross suppre ssion Of the
truth. 1t is assumed, that Commodore Deca-
,ur's statement IS entitled 10 implicit belief
His character alone Stamps i, with truth. He
had no motive TO m;syepresenf. The General
stands in q very diff vent situations. fie is be-
tore the People, soliciting the highest honor in
their gift. He is accused Of meditated crime,
which, il per?etrsted, would not only have rem.
dered him infamous, bu, probably have cos,
him his life.
The issue is between Decatur and General
Jackson, SO for as the thwartrd purpose OF the
latter is concerned. He can no otherwise es>
cape from the fonlness Of the imputation than
BY throwing discredi, on the statement Of the
former. But tie American people are not so
unjust as to sacrifice the well-Farned II puta,ion
OF deceased hero 10 the vain ambition OF liv
ing one. His worshipers would no doubt coz
slider 1t cheap off ing To The success Of their
idol; out the g'ea, Sody Of the People, 10 whom
the name of Decatur is but another word for
every thing patriotic and chivalrous, would
submit to the Sac, i6ce under no authority infe
rior to thai which required Of Isaac 10 offer up
his only son.
The Knoxville Enquirer, of the I'd instant,
has he following observations:
We have not heard Of any manifestation of Joy on
he return of our "Heroe" members. We have been,
for some time, looking, and DESTROYS of seeing
ircular from some Of them, to the end, that the pub
tic may be informed how it is. after session of one
hundred and sevent, five days, there has been few.
laws. either Of general local nature, passed. and
ess business done, than since the foundation of the
Federal Government The average pay of each men,
Der from Tennessee is nearly thousand nine hun
dred dollars. Their pay added to the contingent
penses Of Congress to six hundred thousand
dollars is said and have doubt of it, that all
that has been done could have been done in half the
time. Are to take this foretaste of the reign
of Jscksonism. If So se,as Mr.. Richie in 1924 said
would deprecste his election the country.
But, for ourselves, have fear of Jacksons cleo
ton. So far able to learn from every part of
the United States. the military fever rapidly dying