Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-05-19
ALEXANDRIA, D. c.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, NAY 10. 1850.
CONSISTENCY.


the conduct of General Jackson during the Semi
mole war. 1t may be asked by some OF our read
ers, why bring to view those now almost forgot
fen violations of the Constitution-those high
handed and tyrannical usurpations OF the Militia
ry over the Civil power? Weanswer' in the hrst
place to point out the danger of overlooking the
smallest nfraction of the Constitution, or the as
sumption of arbitrary power, from motives OF
gratitude for the services OF any individual, now
ever distinguished and important those services
might be. Future ages will view with astonish-
ment. the indifference and worse than apathy
with which such infIactions of the powers of the
General Government and disregard of the Civil
authorities. have been winked at in the case of
our present Chief Magistrate lie has given the
Constitution of his country stab, which 10 ser
vices however brilliant, can ever repair. Histo-
~ will forget the warrior and only dwell on the
Military Despot trampng on all laws hui
man and divine. She will view him as the sa-
viour of city, and the achiever of brilliant tri-
umph over proud foe-she will blush that the
triumph was stained by lawlcss tyranny and Mil
itary Despotism. We are at loss whether to
rejoice in the victories of the General, to mourn
over the violated rights of the citizen. If he
saved city from plumber, he has exhibited the
dangerous precedent of the Military over the
Civil power.
This one successful victory has placed him,
notwithstanding his wanton abuse of power, his
violent and vindictive passions, and evident in
capacity, in the Presidential Chair. A few dem
agogues, who calculated by flattering his pas
sions, and taking advantage of his weakness, to
quarter themselves like drones on the public hive,
have, by loud pretensions to economy and re-
trcnchment, and false charges of profusion and
extravaganza, against the then administration,
misled the public mind, by every mean, and
base, and disingenuous artiice, an unprincipled
and corrupt heart could devise. And how have
their promises been fulflled?-by increased ex-
penditures in every department. And how has
the capacity and virtue of our President been
enthusiastically filling the most important Offices
with men of Betian dulness, ignorant of the
most common duties of their Offices; or with
characters who, like the poisonous Upas
have blighted the moral atmosphere around them,
and who make us blush with shame, when we
think that they belong to the human family.
And if any proof were wanting that such is
the fact, that virtue and morality have become
mere shadows, the recent confirmation by the
Senate Of the migrate Amos Kendall, one of the
most unprincipled men in this or any other coun-
try, furnishes ample confirmation. This single
act, has cast deeper shade over the reputation
and influence of the Vice President, than years of
undertaking virtue and political integrity can eff
face. 1t is, beyond all doubt, death blow to
all his future hopes of the Presidential Chair.
In the second place, we wish to point out the
danger of making the public press our guide and
pole star in forming Judgment of men and mea-
surcs. 1t is the best and greatest safeguard of
our liberties, while in the hands of virtuous and
interrupted men. But we have fallen on evil
times; and we tremble for the liberties of our
country. The system commenced by our pre-
sent Chief Magistrate, of corrupting it by re-
warding those who sold their consciences and
opinions for the love Of mammon, and betrayed the
public to advance their private interests, is preg-
nant with evils which threaten the speedy de-
struction of our liberties
Amongst those whose political hostility and
rancor were carried to the extreme bounds of
opposition and censure to the public conduct of
General Andrew Jackson, none took firmer and
more decided stand than did the Editor of the
Richmond Enquirer. During the Seminole war,
General Jackson's violence was forcibly portray
ed--his unconstitutional measures pointed out
his insoence to the constituted authorities of his
country, and disregard Of the law Of nations, was
shewn, and hisinhumanity and wanton barbarity
in the cases of Arbuthnot and Ambrister, (which
will forever remain blot on our country.) were
pictured in living colors Mr.. Richie was then
the champion of the Constitution and outraged
humanity against lawless tyranny. He was then