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Show 396 LlFJ;: OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. the child, directed it to be brought to him, and sought XI. to prevail on some of the Indian women to take care ~ . 1815. of and rear it. They signified their unwillingness to do so, and that, inasmuch as all its relations had fallen in the battle, tl1ey would prefer it should be killed. The general, after this disclosure, determined he would not entrust it with them, but become hill)self the protector and guardian of the child. Bestowing on the infant the name of Lincoier, he adopted it into his family; and has ever since manifested the liveliest zeal towards it, prompted by benevolence, and because its fate bore a strong resemblance to his own, who, in early life, and from the ravages of war, was left in the world, forlorn and wretched, witl1out friends, or near relations. Of the two great parties, which have distracted our country, general Jackson is attached to the republican. In his first political career, he rallied on the side of the people. During Mr. Adams' administration, when the party was few and inconsiderable, he appeared on the side of the rights of man, espousing and advocating the principles of tolerance and free will ; until, disgusted with the mode of administering the government, he r.etired from the !egislati1•e councils of the nation. He is not, however, one of those blind infatuated partizans, who holds the opinions of others in derision, and determines on the good or bad qualities of a man, accordingly as )1~ belongs to this or the other sect ; but, influenced by the belief, that there are many base and designing, and amiable and virtuous men on both sides, acts on the liberal principle, that f' 'Vorth mak~s the man, ~nd_ )V~nt of it the fellow." LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. 597 ·' Could such sentiments be generally diffused, of CHAP. what importance would they not be to our country ! XI. We are aware of ·the opinion indulged by many wise~ l. . . th . . 1815. po ItlCllllls, at parties ensure a nation's safety, by act-ing as spies on, and correctors of, each other's conduct. Such an idea may answer, in a country where individuals' rights are merged in the exaltation of a few, and where the contest is for the loaves and fishes, and not in relation to difference in opinion : but in ours, whose government is derived from the people, so long as they continue virtuous and intelligent, and will duly appre-ciate their rights, no such auxiliary can be essential, either to her happiness or tranquillity. Already we have witnessed it the cause of innumerable evils : but for the hopes and expectations of a designing power, which, through our dissensions and domestic broils, believed she would be able seriously to affect us, we might have remained at peace, and preserved the lives of many of our valuable citizens. That there should be a difference of opinion among us, is certa~nly no-thing strange : it is only in governments absolutely despotic, that the oppressed and trembling subjects im-bibe the sentiments of the sovereign and his ministers, and appear to think with them, because they dare not assert their own opinions. Our constitution, on this sub-ject, bars every check, and leaves our conduct, words, and actions free; yet, were our prudence consulted &nd regarded, it would long since have told us, that party rancour was carried much too far, both for our own and the honour of our country. We are far, however, from supposing that it is a circumstance, whence fo-reign powers can ever. deri ve an advantage, by which |