Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-04-15

might be, who has the strongest claim to
the premium If the services Of Gen.
jackson have not been sufficiently ac-
knowledged; if the Government or the
people have been as yet niggard in their
gratitude; far be from us that illiberal po-
Icy which would refuse to services the
need which they deserve. But we dis
claim this imputation of ingratitude, and
parslmony of praise, as unjust. We mean
not to undervalue the services Of Gen.
jackson, though we would claim some
portion of praise for his equally patriotic
and gallant associates in peril and glory.
But whatever may be the estimate to be
placed on those services, his countrymen
have not been backward to acknowledge
or reward them. The thanks of the con-
stituted authorities of the land-the fes-
tive triumph-the sacred thanksgiving
the plaudits of the people--all for which
brave men wish to live, or dare to die
have been yielded to him with profl-
sion that knew no stint. And shall we
be deemed ungrateful, because we do not
press upon him an awful and highly re-
sponsible trust-for which we have no
reason to believe him quali6ed-in which
he will probably lose the glory he has ac-
CURED, and may injure that country which
it is his praise to have defended What
would be thought of the prudence of the
individual, who, in the effervescence of
gratitude, should reward his physician by
confding to him the management of an
important suit at the bar; or should select
his successful Advocate to navigate ship
over the stormy ocean.
| We have right to inquire, and, in the
soberness of truth, we ask,-Is General
Jackson qualified to discharge the duties
of the Presidential office? If he be not,
we are unjust to him, and still more un-
faithful to ourselves and our country, if
we bestow it upon him. When we make
this inquiry, we are reminded of our
WASHINGTON. He'was not less illustri-
Gus as a statesman, than eminent as a
warrior and we are asked, why may not
Gen. Jackson be a second Washington
Is this an answer to the inquiry! Prodi-
gies are rare, or they would cease to be
prodigies. Ages may roll away, before
our country is again blessed, Or any coun-
try shall be blessed, with another Washing
ton. We ask, as General Jackson qualif-
ed for this Office He was Judge, in
the early settlement Of Tennessee, at a
time when legal talents were necessarily
rare. AS the legal profession advanced
to excellence in that State, he resigned
his Office, from the honest conviction, that
it could be better filled. He has been in
the Congress Of the United States, and we
presume, endeavoured, to the best of his
ability, to discharge the duties of his sta
ton. Yet this situation he quilted, with
declaration, and no doubt sincere one,
that he but kept ADLER men out of office ;
and we have yet to learn that he left be-
hind him any reputation for political abb
lily. When an opportunity was afforded
of acquiring military distinction, the proofs
of his capacity for war were instantly de-
veloped. Of his military talents, no one
doubts; of his talents as statesman, no
one is confident; yet he has been in stu
atoms which afforded equal opportunities
for displaying both. The inference is too
obvious to escape the grasp of any under
standing.
But, if this inference, seemingly ire
sistible, should be contradicted by proofs.
hereafter to be adduced, and Gen. jack
son should evince, in any civil or political
station, those capacities which have not
yet been developed, it will be then time
enough to invite. him to the highest OF
civil and political employments. Let the
country have practical assurance that ne
possesses the information, the temper, and
the wisdom, which are required for this
great office-and four years may afford
the occasion to give us such assurance
and, without violence to our usages, dis
traction in our councils, or discussions
among our people, he may receive, what
is now claimed as reward, but will then
cheerfulIy be bestowed as a trust, which
he can ably and faithfully execute. Is
the delay intolerable to himself, or to his
impatient friends Will they refuse to
submit their favourite candidate-will he
refuse to submit himself, to this practical
test! This very eagerness and lmpa-
tience but increase our distrust.
His friends proclaim, that it is scarcely
possible for him to have conducted his
military operations with the skill which
characterized them, and to want vigour OF
intellect and knowledge ofthehuman cha
racter Yet instances are not wanting OF
transcendant military talents, united with
political incompetency. The General OF
whom Britain boasts as the conqueror OF
NAPOLEON is an acknowledge instance of
the truth of the maxim, that nature seldom
bestows her gifts on any individual With
such prodigality, as to fit him for attaining