Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-12-22

Federalists. The name Ut AMERICAN had, ny q
sort of common consent taken the place of all
other political distinctions. AMERICAN PRINci-
Piles had become the common creed OF the high
minded and patriotic atherents of all the parties.
In word, the best friends of the country had
little more to wish or hope, in regard to our po-
ltical situation than that we might proceed IN the
course which we were then pursuing, and remain,
in every thing belonging to character and prlncl'
plies Of Government, substantially as we were
This state of things, afforded, Of course, the
best evidence that could possibly be had IN favor
of the administration under which 1t had grown
up Much of it could be traced directly to the
character and opinions of the leading members
of that administration. 1t was, however, under
these circumstances, that vigorous, and, as has
been shown by the issue, successful effort was
made to effect a change and to place in the Chair
of the Chief Magistracy the present incumbent
Of the comparative qualifications OF the Presi-
dent aud his predecessor, for the high station
which they have successfully filed, we will not
here speak. We cheerfuly resign task SO un-
grateful in one Of its divisions, to the impartial
and unshrinkins hand of History. Nor will we
here enlarge on the means by which the change
in question was accomplished reckless and
persevering calumny, which was constantly pour
ed forth from hundreds OF presses, on the best
and purest men in the nati0n,-the false preten
sions to exclusive republlcanlsm-ihe tactous
clamor which Was kept up in Consress-the art
full combination of conflicting personal and par
" interests for common object, and the various
other unwO thv arts, that were brought into action
on this occasion. Suffice it to remark. that the
change was effrcted-in form, at least--ln le-
gal and constitutional way; and however justly
offensive the circumstances that brought II about
might and must have been to the friends OF the
last administration, however deficient the present
incumbent might have been supposed 10 be IN the
qualities most requisite for the station to which
he had been raised, il is believed that when he
entered OH his Office, there was no disposition in
any portion Of the people to commence prema-
ture or factious opposition to his measures. 1t
was alarming enough to prudent and welI-mean.
ing men that that the Government of the coun-
trV had fallen into such hands. and far from at
tempting to perplex or embarrass the admnlstra-
tiun, they would rather have lent all the aid 10
their power to carry the country safely through
so dangerous a crisis. On the other hand, the
military successes of the President had gained
him an extensive personal popularity. which
would have enabled him, had he known how tn
turn it to account, TO carry on the Government
with extraordinary facility. Under this combi-
nation of circL instances II is believed, that had
the public affairs been managed with tolerable pru
deuce aud discretion, Gen. Jackson might have
gone Ihro' his term of official life without show
of opposition. and have been reelected, had he
been so inconsistent as to desire it, by very
unanimous vote.
Nor were the friends OF the country without
strong hopes that such a result would follow
Deficient as the President was known to be in
the qualities and accomplishments most essential
to civil magistrate, it was yet anticipated that
he might be found to possess the courtesy, the ge-
nervous feelings. the high sense of decorum and
propriety which form the appropriate ornaments
of the military character. and would have secur-
ed him from any open offence against the dignity
Of his office. After the letter to the venerable
patriot Monroe, in which he had so emphaucally
recommended the oblivion of the old party dis
tinctions, it was confidently expected that nothing
would BE- done by himself that should tend to
revive them. He had given, on several public
occasions, opinions on points Of administration
| which-however at the time, incorrectly applied
would have served excelently well as guides
for his own conduct in Office: and it was perhaps
not unreasonable to hope that his actions would
correspond, in some imperfect degree. at least,
with his previous professions. Had this been the
case, his administration would have given com
plete satisfaction to the country Whether its
complete and acknowledged failure has been ow-
ing to defects i'm his own character, or To the in
iuence of evil couusels on his mind and meas
ures, is point which it is unnecessary. and
would be ungrateful. to discuss. We should re
gret to visit with too censure the last days
Of one who, in another line duty, has done the
State much service. and whom nothing but the
imprsdence of injudicious friends, or rather the
efforts of political partisans. who found it con
,enient to make use of his name and popularity
for their Dwn selfish purposes. mas prevented from
going down to posterity with high military re-
putaton, aud filing an honorable place in our
history. We are rather willing to believe that
placed in situation for which he was by educa-
ton g. character wholly unfit. worn out by tolls,
infirmities, and the natural progress OF age,
he acted under influences which he COULD
not we'll control. However this may be, it
is certain that the expectations and hopes which
some persons may have been disposed to
indulge of the success of his administration,
have been signary disappointed. and that his
failure has been more complete than even his enc
mics could have possibly antici pated The po-
iitcai history of the Union for the last three years
exhibits series of measures plainly dictated in