The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-06-22

HAO fOiuhICS Vi HAStOi - ohSiShs oss1 ANA~
dern, for examples in support of the posi-
ton | have assumed; we have them at
home, in the history Of our own great and
glorious Republic, the model government
of the age in which we live.
Gen. Washington was chosen Presi
dent Immediately after the close Of the
Revolution, in which he had held the
chief military command, and entered up
on his Executive duties at time when on
ly the outlines of our political system had
been drawn, and even before its adapta-
tion to our people and condition had been
tested. During eight years he filled the
Executive chair, devoting his time and his
talents to the completion of the work
which the nation had allotted TO him in
this new sphere-the maturing and ear
rying out of set of new measures under
newly formed system of government,
whereby life and vigor were to be given
to its several parts and the whole so ar
ranged as to move harmoniously together,
and impart 10 the people the benefits and
the blessings for which they had SO long
and so ardently struggled. The result is
known to the world: the administration
of Gen. Washington is pointed TO with
pride by every American who is acquain-
ted with its history and loves his coun-
try; and fortunate will il be for the nation
if his precepts and examples will be ta-
ken as guides by those who shall occupy
the Executive chair hereafter
Gen. Jackson, one of the greatest mill
tary men Of the age, was also twice cleo
ted to the Chief Magistracy; and such
was the confidence which men had in his
integrity and honesty Of purpose, that they
were ready to overlook the errors of his
judgment, proceeding, no doubt, from a
natural ardent temper and irritable dispo-
sition, increased and rendered more obsti-
nate by his advanced age, and not, as has
been supposed by some, the result OF ma
ny years service in the army. The
same deficiency of judgment, and the
same stubbornness OF character, he would
have carried with him into the Executive
chair or TO any other place, had he never
| drawn sword or mustered regiment
Gen. Harrison, not less experienced or
| less successful as commander. was cho-
sen also as President; and with unani-
nifty that has no parallel in the history ol
the country. The amiability of his cha
racler, his integrity as man, and his cx-
perience in public life, were deemed suf-
fcient guarantees, that under his admins
tration the liberties Of the people would
be preserved, their rights respected, and
their interests promoted. Though cnga-
ged many years in military capacity, no
one acquainted with his character ever
believed that he was on that account less
qualified for the Presidency than he
would have been had his life been spent
in some civil department. But his ad-
ministration was doomed to be of short
duration, and by his death the hopes and
expectations of large majority of the
nation were scattered to the winds.
How many military officers have filled
or even now ill civil stations! Among
| Members of Cabinets, Governors OF
States, United States Senators and Mem
bers of Congress and State Legislatures,
we find military men, who are, not un-
frequently, the most talented and profound
Statesmen, and whose knowledge of the
science of war, instead of causing mis-
trust, often. and very justly. adds weight
to their influence. do not pretend 10
say that, because man has been sue
cessful General, he must necessarily also
be good and great Statesman; but what
contend for is, that military life, under q
government like ours, does not disquality
a man for civil stations, and that, other
things being equal, he who has spent the
flower of his years in the camp and the
field, has stronger claims upon public Ia
vor than he that has made no such sacri.
fee. Such, too, believe TO be the pref
tv general sentiment of the country, with
out respect TO party, and in proof of which
need only refer to the fact that Genera
Washington was elected as FEDERAL
candidate; that Gen. Jackson was suopor
ted by both DEMOCRATS and FEDERALIsTs
and that General Harrison, though nomI
x.oH