Cloud, and, dispersing with the bayonet the
deputies of the people deliberating on the affairs of the State, laid the
foundation of that vast fabric of despotism which overshadowed all
Europe. I hope not to be misunderstood; I am far from intimating that
General Jackson cherishes any designs inimical to the liberties of the
country. I believe his intentions to be pure and patriotic. I thank God
that he would not, but I thank him still more that he could not if he
would, overturn the liberties of the Republic. But precedents, if bad,
are fraught with the most dangerous consequences. Man has been
described, by some of those who have treated of his nature, as a bundle
of habits. The definition is much truer when applied to governments.
Precedents are their habits. There is one important difference between
the formation of habits by an individual and by governments. He
contracts only after frequent repetition. A single instance fixes the
habit and determines the direction of governments. Against the
alarming doctrine of unlimited discretion in our military commanders
when applied even to prisoners of war, I must enter my protest. It
begins upon them; it will end on us. I hope our happy form of
government is to be perpetual. But, if it is to be preserved, it must be
by the practice of virtue, by justice, by moderation, by magnanimity,
by greatness of soul, by keeping a watchful and steady eye on the
Executive; and, above all, by holding to a strict accountability the
military branch of the public force.
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