Cherokee Phoenix

Jackson's notion of the Supreme Court.-- Everything that falls from the lips of him who was miraculo

Published October, 27, 1832

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Jackson's notion of the Supreme Court.-- Everything that falls from the lips of him who was miraculously, and more than miraculously inspired to study the Constitution, as he has said he did, before it was made, which exhibits his views of that instrument, must be precious to the eyes, and dear to the soul of every true democrat; and, at the same time, a curious subject for consideration to the simple friends of the instrument itself, and lovers of the country, which country it is. We may make another, out of the same ground, under the sway of some six or eight penny tyrant;- but who would live in it, that could find a dwelling elsewhere, either in the wilderness, or under some honest and unaffected despot? And yet, that the Constitution is to be destroyed at least in its most important and essential features, if Gen. Jackson should be re-elected, provided he and his friends can effect its destruction, we have accumulating evidence every day. Let every person who venerates that Constitution, read the following statement, the truth of which cannot be denied, and then by the wayward old man, who has his parasites say, 'WAS BORN TO COMMAND.' After Messrs. Sergeant and Wirt had concluded their arguments in the Cherokee case, before the Supreme Court, General Jackson thus expressed his opinions to a gentleman of Philadelphia, with whom he was conversing, or rather to whom he was making an angry rhapsody upon the subject:-

'He expressed the most outrageous anger that the court should have dared to entertain the case; and heaped in unmeasured terms, his bitter denunciations upon the heads of the Judges. Heated to excess of anger, he swore eternal vengeance against the court. 'We shall never be a free people, Mr._, he observed, until the Supreme Court is abolished. It is a greater tyrant than the inquisition. And sir, if I am re-elected, I will put it down-- or it shall put me down! It is a usurper on the Constitution.- We can have no laws-no legislation-no Executive; as long as this court exists. It is a mere cabal of faction, to interfere with and defeat my plans for the public good. There is Sergeant at the head of it-and Wirt too!-Sir, it is not for the Indians that they stir it-but they hope to put me down by it--but that they can't do.--I knew the man that moves it,' shaking his long finger with a significant gesture of hatred towards the West-'but this court. Mr__. and shall be put down. Your representatives deserted me on the repeal of the 25th section of the Judiciary Act, or we should have drawn its teeth this last session-but it shall yet be done, or it shall put me down. We have no liberty as long as we have a Supreme Court!!!'