Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-07-27
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE U. STATES,
On ne neIt PreSidenti0I EIeciiOn.

On the nsrt Presidential Election.
The subscribers, original supporters of Andrew
Jackson to the Presidency of the United States,
deeply and soemnly impressed with the import
ance of preserving great fundamental principles
Of liberty, free from volation-as well as Of main
tanning entire and unblemished their own integri-
ty-and of redeeming to the people the faith they
pledged for the fulilment Of the professions made
when they selected HIM as candidate, for the
purpose Of accomplishing great national reforms,
and of establishing sautary practices of pure
Republican government-deeming the period now
arrived, when the public expect, and the crisis
spect to their future course, and redemption of
their pledges made in time past--dO here repre-
sent and declare:-
That, at the Presidential elections of 1924 and
1928, they gave the preference to Andrew Jack
son, because they had sufficient reason to believe
him identified with certain principles, profes sed
by him, which the abuses Of faction, and the in
roads ambition were rapidly sweeping INTO total
oblivion: which principles were obviously essen
tial to the preservation Of popular rights, the du
ration of this happy republic, and the continu.
ance of our inestimable Union. They looked to
the man only as the means Of giving lasting es-
adjustment to those principles-hls public SER
vices having inspired confidence in mis- rect-
=
iect of his election. A blind devotion to his
will, as chief, or an implicit acquiescence in
his opinions, as those Of an infallible master,
were tenets never comprehended in our demo-
cratic creed. Although faithful to his country,
vet we never believed him to be exalted above
the erriug faculties of a mortal, however conf
IDENTIFY we cherished the conviction, that he never
would prove faithless and derelict to his pledges
aud professions. In the wreath Of glory that en-
twined his brows as victor, we thought we be-
held sure guarantee for the contamination OF
his principles as a statesman. Without thinking
him splendidly endowed, we had reason to be-
Iieye him iufiexiby honest, a trait in his charac-
ter, that on all occasions was the theme OF his
exuitation, and the subject OF his pride. 1t, on
this point, experience has proved US to have
been too credulous, or too conhdins-the fault in
us is as much allied to yi,tue, as the failure on
his part is alien to it. Still, respect for his SER
vices to his country IN the field, inspires US with
ciemency in our repr0aches for his errors IN the
Cabinet. We are willing to believe that his
head rather than his heart has been in fault; and
that age, increasing the ntirmities of fra
ollie constitution, has contributed to Illustrate
expectations which a more vigorous period OF
life might have fulfilled; notwithstanding the ar
duous nature of the task which he was called to
discharge; more peculiarly arduOus to him, be-
cause destitute of that experience in government.
and unaccustOmed to those deep habits OF thought
and study, which alone qualify the statesmen to
shine. or the patriot to triumph;--a TACT which,
while il mitigates censure, at the same time
pleads in behalf Of his country, for his timely
retirement to the shades Of private life. For
what mind, however great by nature, can resist
the ruinous inroads of time; and what man, who
has acquired glory and renoSn, in the summer OF
his life, would consent to become spectacle for
compassion, by public exhibition Of the follies
and weakness Of age; detracting from his just
fame, and unconsciously inflicting the most Sc
rious wounds upon his country.
When we selected Gen. Jackson for our can
didats, Indifferent to every thing but principle.
and determined to peril all minor considerations
for great and public bless,ng--we announced to
him our principles. and he fully reciprocated our
views, calculating their utility, and often adding
embellishments to their charms. He avowed.
nrofessed, and confirmed all, and more than all
hat we required. Rather ultra than deficient in
the doctrines of liberty, we were lett expect from
him too much, rather than to distrust him of too
l;ttle-thua verifying the old remark, that those