Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-04-01

TO the consideration of the Presidents conduct that
lnduigcnt rule oil construction, which msurcs inn
punty TO guilt rather than security to innocence,
MIR. johnson proceeds with sudden change of
to make portcntous reference TO the
vast and delicate duties Of the chief magistrate, e.
herce illusions TO the temper and actions of Gen
> Jackson No part Of the address discovers colder
or more fervcnt loyalty than this. The
Richmond ,islike the Roman courtcr, in odio sepus,
conis. Ii is really surprising 10 see
the same pen running with the lightness of Canil-
la step over the faults OF thu man i'm power,
and falling with the demoishing tread of an Eie-
phant, on the virtues Of the private citizen Like
the 90 1.-the proboscs' of that shrewd animal how
ever 1t handles tenderly what is frail--aud what is
sound, rudely; and the quck-sighted people of Vir-
ginia will neither be infiamed into Injustice by
Mr. Johnson's violence, nor deceived into sub
mission by his gentlenesS.--As If emphasis were
not ridiculous in state Interpretations and
tone oil deep-mouthcd vituperaton natural to those
whose accuSauonsaTe unsupported by fact, he tells
them with an air oil amazing confidence that Gen.
jackson has " tramplcd on the laws and constitii-
non oil his country, has sacrificed the lives and IL
berries OF men, and made his own arbitrary will the
rule OF his conduct" But his fundamental position
is this-"capacity for civil affairs in a country like
ours, where the road to preferment is open to me-
rt IN every class OF society, is never long conceal
ed and seldom left IN retirement II is then add
ed, that" General Jackson has lived beyond the
age OF sixty years, and bred to the profession
best calculated TO improve aud display the facul-
ties which civil employments require; but the his
tory of his public life in those environments is fold
in few brief lines in single page Of his bogra-
phcr. He filled successfully for very short periods
the office OF member of the Tennessee Convention
which formed their state constitution, Representa-
tive and Senator in Congress, Judge ofthe Supreme
Court OF Tennessee, anu again Senator in the Con-
gress of the United States" Where a man is so
veTy didactc Mr.. Johnson is, accuracy of know
ledge and precision OF detail might be expected
But these humble constituents OF truth, lie far be-
meath the range of his romantic fancy, as the rca-
der who chooses to consult Eaton's work will find
The account of Jackson's civil empleyments'' is
not contained on single page" of that work and
Mr. Johnsous summary OF it is defective as 10 the
very important office of Attorney General, which
Washington, no mean Judge of merit, himself con-
terrcd. But if we admire the fidelity of his state
ments, we shall be amazed at the accuracy of his
reasoning. He concludes, that capacity for
civil Offices, Is, in this country neyer long con-
cealed and seldom left in retirement" the frequent
appointment and repeated election of General
Jackson is proof positive OF his notorious inca
Pecity to fill them There is something tran
scendental in this syllogism. And if we re-
fleet that in addition TO Mr.. Johnson's cor
rected list of civil Offices, General Jackson has
filled the important ones of commissioner for re-
ceiving the cesson of Florida of Governor of that
territory under the Spanish laws, and negotiator
OF several OF our most important Indian treaties
that he never solicited an office in his life, or a.
bused the confidence which his constituents repo-
which connected him Immediately with the peo-
pie, the great central fire which distributes warmth
and lie 10 our whole system; and that his seryi-
ces were re commended TO one party by descent,
and to the other by purchase, its value as poll
teal argument may be correctly estimated The
evident distortion of Mr.. Johnson's Judgment
seems to be chemically confirmed by the fact,
that General Jackson resigned several of these of
hces, mani!esting preference for private life in
unison with the taste of Cincinnatus, of wash
ington' and all the greatest patriots of the world
and in opposition to that low ambition which can
not exist out OF the pureus of the treasury. The
classical reader will remember how the Roman
writers celebrate the reluctance with which the
Dictator ob .dTGtro left his farm, and the salts
faction with which, crowned with laurels he re-
ured TO It, The same disposition was seen and
admired in our beloved Washington In let
ter to member of Congress, who was persuading
him to accept the Office of President then ;ust
created, he thus expressed HIMSELF" You are a.
nong the small number OF those who know my
nVinclbie attachment to domestic life, and that
my sincere wish is TO continue in the endowment !
}! 1t solely, to my final hour. NV increasing
ondness for agricultural amusements, and nv
growing love OF retirement, augment and confirm
my decided prcdilection for the character of nri
Vate citizen. And he concludes-ss You will
perceive, my dear sir, from what is here obscry-
ed that my Incnations will dispose and decide me
TO remain as | am, unless a clear and nsur1noun
able conviction should be impressed on my mind,
consequences. 81
IN all human probability result from the indulgence
ot my wishes" This letter was written when
w ashlngton was IN his 57th year, and jackson was
30 when he made his last and most splendid resir-
nation This Is the temper and these are the ha-
bits that render military chieitains" the defen
!ers of the republic in war, and its guadians in
PEACE; and 1t is not the least extrayagant of Mr.
lohnsons paralogisms, that in the same breath he
should descant on the dangerous influence ormili-
-ary renown' and reProach its Possessor with an
INST nat lnul,..
and Mr. Adams, it is true, have never vet offer |
I'd to the world that best and most lovely evidence
81 merit, which modesty displays; they have never
resigned one office without the prospect of another
md are not likely to impose on their euogsts the
ask pourtra ying the grand but quiet Virtue OF
ii' nterestedness. Yet Washington the military
;hieitan, served eight years without giving reason
o doubt his wisdom or integrity, while Messrs A.
iaIns and Clay, the dplomatist anu the orator.
rave effected IN less than half that time general
that they are destitute Of BOTH
But,says Mr.. Johnson, General Jackson not only
y resigned three, but passed through all of these
ohlces, acknowledging his uDlitness in two inst.n
ces manifestlv feeling it in all, and leaving no sim
gle act, no trace behind, which stamps his quail
locations above medocrity.' Such alterations as
these are enough Ito use Mr.. Johnson's peculiar
iialecD " TO stamp their author 6elotO rnediocr-
y'-as they abound in misstatement and miscon-
'tructon. An individual is appointed to one office
ana successfully promoted TO two others and be-
cause ne V1cates tue subordinate ones in order TO
reach the highest in The series these acts of resig
nation are interpreted into confession of his own
unfitnoss Did Mr. Clay acknowledge his unfit
ness for the Speakers Chair when he resigned Il
and took office in the cabinet of Mr.. Adams5 Does
Colonel eyince conscious incapacity when he
accepts the commission Of General Gen. Jackson
resigned his scat in the House Of Representatives.
10 oil place in the seuate and this station he re-
signed with patriotism and liberaity highly hon
oiable TO him, 10 make room for General Daniel
ne tnffr tit-,~.e .,,Ic-