Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1852-08-31

This is question now submitted to the Ameri-
can people Tor their decision and it the history
OF all past republics is to be warning aBd
guide, the question will be easily answered.
From Caesar TO Cromwell, and from Cromwell TO
Bonaparte, all Republics have been destroyed by
eDtrustiug the highest civil power TO the Com
snander-in Chief Of Lheir armies. Now, although
we believe General Scott could not, if he would,
destroy our liberties, yet the precedent may
prove highly dangerous in after times, when our
people shall have become more corrupt and less
Jealous Of their rights. That the military should
be held in strict subsection TO the civil power is
maxim indispensable 10 the existence OF all free
governments. One of the grievances set forth
in the Declaration of Independence, against the
King of Great Britain, is, that " he las affected
TO render the military independent of, and sUPe-
rior to the civil power. Liberty must ever be
guarded with watchfuI jealousy, and our reVOIu-
ionary fathers, deeply impressed with this truth,
took the greatest pains in the Constitution, which
they framed, TO secure the superiority Of the ciEH
over the military power. How would those sIur-
DIV patriots have been grieved and mortified, il
they could have tOreseen the time when their
descendants would elect the actual Commander
in Chief Of the Army to the supreme ciEI HEGgts-
trGcy!!!
No precedent exists in our past history for any
such suicidal attempt. Washington, Jackson
and Harrison had for years before their election
to the Presidency, been plain farmers and private
citizens. General Taylor held n subordinate
command in the army; and it vas reserved for
General Scott to desire to march from the head
quarters to the army, his sword by his side, his
chapeau on his brow, and surrounded by all the
pomp and Circumstance of war, into the White
House at Washington. He has not had the
grace TO resign bis commission, even at the eIeV-
enth hour though this would not greatly have
diminished the danger of the precedent. He
holds on to the honoTs and emoluments OF the
Office with the grasp of fate; and we consider
this aIone If there were no other objections, con-
elusive against his election
Bot there is a special point of view in which
the nomination of the CommaBder-in. Chief of the
army for the Presidency is in direct conflict with
with the genius Of our institutions.
In case of contested election for this the high
est office on earth, the Constitution has pre-
scribed no method of determining the question.
Should the case occur, and the Commander.in-
Chief of the army be one of the infamed and ar
dent contestants for the honor, is there not dan
ger that it may be decided by the bGyOnef! AT
such a dangerous crisis, ought not the highest
military officer TO be personally disinteIested IN
regard to the result, and ready to obey the COM
mands of the civil power in its efforts TO preserve
neaee and the Constitution Instead OF :hls, II
Won make him party TO the contest, what can
you expect7 Suppose, at the time OF the con-
tested election between jefferson and Burr, the
Iatter had been at the head of an army devoted
| IN his interests, does any person suppose he
would have yielded peacefully? We know Gen.
Scott To be patriotic, though obstinate, set-whl-
| ed. and wholly untitled for civil affairs and
| whilst we honor him for his distinguished mili-
| tary services, we firmly believe his election 10
| tbe Presidency would be a serious evil to the
country, and would establish precedent which
NAV prove destructive its liberties and its con-
We invite our feIIow.citizens to consider this
question in these highly dangerous aspects.
HGHisblng Union.