Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-06-21
LITERARY CADET
PROVIDENCE. SATURDAY. JUNE 2l.


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What man in his sober senses would have
ever thought OF General Jackson for the Presi-
dency, had he moi achieved tse victory Of Now
Orleans. According to his owa biographer he
resigned all tho civil appointments which he
ever held, because he did not consider him
SELF qualified to discharge the various duties
,ohieh depeioed upon him. If he does no,
possess talent to discharge the duties Of
Attorney General Of the State of Tennessee,
or as Judge OF State Court, can he be quail
fed for President of the United States p
lie has had every opportunity to display his
abilities as a statesman he could wish. He
has held scat in both Houses Of Congress.
and has been Governor Of Territory. Has
he done but one action which reflected the least
credit on tho American character, while dis
charging the various duties entrusted to him
Was his voice ever heard in debate, or his
name placed at the head Of any important
Committee, while member Of Congress Do
the records Of the Courts Of Tennessee present
any specimen of his legal knowledge while, dis
charging the duties Of Judge' Did the pub
locations Of the day ever record speech Of his,
while performing tho duties of Attorney Gen.
cral, that would place his name on q level with
hundreds Of lawyers Of tho Western country!-
Let the friends Of the General answer these
questions. They are important, and ought to
weigh heavily on the minds Of the people, be-
fore they decide 10 elect for President a man,
whose only recommendation is the gaining Of
one victory by the force Of aims.
We shall be told that General Washington
was military mar, and that he did much for the
happiness Of his country. But Washington, 10
use The words Of contemporary, was one of
those great souls who appeared but seldom
in lapse Of ages; like comets, that shed their
blaze but once in centuries, upon an admiring
world, and then fly off to distant and unknown
regions. The characters Of the two mon, are
a. different a. midnight from meridian day
In that Of Washington, we behold every thing
that 10 mild, gentle, or amiable, in a private
citizen, with all tho bravery, promptness, and
6scision Of an accomplished soljier-we be-
hold q man, who, like Cncnnatus or Regulus.
could renouncc a sceptre for plough; or like
those distinguished individuals, lead on to VIC
tory, the armies Of his country. In that Of
Jackson, we see disposition, at once daring,
turbulent and cruel; impatient Of peace, and
even in retirement, attacking the reputation,
if not the persons, of his countrymen. In him
10 displayed TO full view, the cruelty of Syla
or Caligula, but the ambition Of Caesar, who,
under the appearance Of virtue, could enslave
his country"
To make comparison between the charac-
ters of Washington and Jackson, is an insult
to the memory Of Warrington, which ought
never to be uttered by the lips of an American.
Did Washington ever put to death an fnno-
cent youth, guilty If no crime ? Did he ever
order an execution Of six human beings, after
the treaty Of peace was concluded! No! Ho
would spurn from his presence tho man who
would be guilty Of such cool-blooded cruelty.
We do not wish to de,ract from the merits
Of General Jackson.--His faults would have
been buried in oblivion, had not his friends
persuaded hm to become q candidate for the
Presidency. They must have known that his
character. either private or public, could not
stand the test Of public scrutiny, and that he
would retire from the contest covered with
disgrace.