The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-07-08

g5-We would inform our friends and the pub |
lie generally, that we have received another
supply of the Tippecanoe Text Book.
GEN,I.. JACKsON,S LATE LETTER
Is an extraordinary letter indeed When
Mr. Kendall resigned the Post Office Depart
inert, and openly became the editor of the Globe,
we foresaw that every effort that could be exert
ed would be made to sustain the election of Mr.
Van Buren,; and that,as the party in power became
more < more desperate they would resort to means |
more and more extraordinary to accomplish that |
purpose The theory of our Government is that
the people are capable Of sclfGovernment that
the people the source OF power; and that all
the officers of the Government should be rcspon-
sble to them. The theory of all monarchies and
despotic Governments, is that the people cannot
be trusted that they incapable of self-govern-
nent and hence with us it is fundamental
priaciple that liberty is to be preserved by strict
construction OF the written Constitution, which
limits the power of the Executive, who is to be
reelected once in four years whereas in mos
arches the executive office is perpetual it is
held during the life of the incumbent, and de-
scends to his heirs The reason of this is that as
the executive is the source of power and patron
age Those who are benefited by his administra-
ton are unwilling to permit the people, who pay
the taxes and support the government, to choose
an executive for themselves. They prefer that it
should descend from father to son, because they
thus secure to themselves perpetuity of power.
Now is it not obvious that if Gcnl. jackson, af
ter having reelected himself, and then appointed
Rdr. Van Buren, his successor, can now come for
ward and by his recommendations secare his re-
election, it is setting most dangerous example,
which will go great ways towards enabling the
execntiYe to perpetuate itself and if after the
publication of this letter MIR. Van Buren, should
be reelected, will it not be charged that but for
the interference of Cfen1 Jackson he would have
been defeated ? Will not the example be most
dangerous to public liberty, and entirely su5vert
che principle, which constitutes the essential diff
ference between Republic and Monarchy
The truth Of this statement SO palpable, and
the ndelicacy of Gen1 Jackson's letter is so man
sfcst, that nothing but thorough conviction that
without the aid of his name and influence thus
directly given, Mr.. Van Buren, would be defeat
ed, could have induced him thus to obtrudc him
self upon the public. When in 1881 it was
solved TO hunt down fxr. Calhoun, Mr.. Kendall
in a letter to the Ohio Monitor, said, /" General
.Jacksons opponents admit that his popularity
will stand any thing"
We know that such rs the confidence in the
blind devotion OF his partisans and such has been
the success attending Gen1 Jackson's expert
ments upon public opinion, that many indu-
s,ed to believe that he can indeed do as he plea
),
We have greatly mistaken the character of the
American people if this last attempt to destroy
the freedom Of election does xot defeat its pur-
nose and if the people do not see in the struggle
how making to continue the administration in
the hands of the same men new motive to bring
into the Presidency one, who will have no inter
est in preventing an enquiry into the manner III
which the public officers have discharged theii
official duties.
IL there has been no abuses, If every one ha:
done his duty, still the people have right tc
know it, and TO know it upon the authority Of
those whom they have themselves elected. And
it is the more important that they should rebuke
this attempt to control their desire, by introau-
cling Gen1 Jackson's opinions and preferences.
But if the political part of this letter deserves
the pubic censure what we to say of the con-
clusion, where the old soldier, in the style and
feeling worthy of Kendall, he assails the mill
Eary reputation Of Gen. Harrison? Is 1t not
Enelancholy to look on the picture here present
ed There is no apology but an enfeebled in
tellect and a second childhood. Gen. Jackson
is not what he once was
In connection with this subject, we insert a
letter from Gen. Miller, in reply to letter from
Mr.. Webster Gen. Miller is the collector of
the port of Salem, Mass achusetts. His charac-
Ter as a soldier during the late war, and his
shortly a military man, knewn to most OF
our readers. He says
SALEM, June 30, 1910
Ny DEAR SRI have the honor to have re-
ceised your letter OF yesterday, requesting me
70 state what think OF the recent attacks on
the military character OF Gen. Harrison. In
answer can truly say, that have noticed with
deep regret, attacks, not only on his well-earned
military fame, but also upon his private and
moral character MY irst acquaintance with
Gen. Harrison was in the year 1911. was on
duty in the 18th regiment OF infantry then com
znanded by Col John z. Boyd-afterwards Gen
Boyd-under orders to proceed TO Vincennes.
AVID there report to Gov. Harrison. We did so
We remained at Vincennes some DAYS. and unit
cd ourselves with the volunteers stationed there
<zevoting our limited time to purposes of organi.
zatipn and drill. We then took up the line OF
march for the indian country, and proceeded by
slow and cautious marches until we had reach.
ed about seventy miles up the Wabash toward
Tlppeeanoe, where we halted and threw IN a
stoci1aded work, which we called Fort Harri-
son. Here remained until the army returned
from Tippeeanoe, after the battle.
Although was moi IN the battle, still / took
great interest in 1t; lad much conversation with