Alexandria Gazette

GEN. JACKSON AND PROSCRIPTION.

The Christian Record, published at Nashville, Tenn., has become possessed of a letter written by Ex-President Jackson, while he was a member of Congress, then sitting in Philadelphia, as long ago as January, 1798. There is nothing remarkable about this epistle, except its age, unless it may be the following very sensible remarks about the detestable tyranny of requiring all office-holders to conform their opinions to those of the President—a sentiment apparently so strongly felt by the writer, that, but for the almost universal tendency of men in power to do precisely what as private citizens they condemned, we could not withhold an expression of surprise, that, after the entire abandonment of the practice of proscription by his immediate predecessors in the Presidential chair, Gen. Jackson should have been himself the first not only to revive it, but to make use of it as a means of vengeance to an extent unprecedented in all our previous history, but which unfortunately was continued by Mr. Van Buren, whose low ambition seemed to be limited to the single desire of following in the footsteps of his illustrious predecessor.

Is it too late for Young Hickory to profit by the perusal of this letter?—Rich. Whig.

President in 1798, when General Jackson wrote the elder Adams, it will be remembered, was as follows:

"In order to carry into effect the measures of the Administration, they have fallen on a plan to remove from office every man who professes republican principles, and fill those offices with men who will bend to the nod of the Executive. This is not mere conjecture, but it is openly avowed by heads of departments, to be the rule lately established by the Executive, and this day openly avowed on the floor of Congress and attempted to be justified; therefore, the talents, virtues, or abilities of men, are no recommendation to bring them into office, if they do not think exactly with the Executive. This is sweet reward for seven years servitude to obtain freedom; and if a man cannot be led to believe as the President believes in politics, (and God forbid a majority should,) he is not to fill an office in the United States. This, sir, I view as more dangerous than the establishment of religion; for it is truly an attempt to establish politics, and to take away the right of thinking. This, sir, will open the eyes of the Americans, and I hope hereafter they will be careful how they repose too much confidence in an individual. But the parties now are at issue, and it will shortly be determined.

ANDREW JACKSON.

"Captain JOHN DONELSON."

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