General Jackson's voice, too, was heard again in characteristic tones. He took good care to keep his grievance before the people. Having been invited by some of his friends in Kentucky to visit that state “for the purpose of counteracting the intrigue and management of certain prominent individuals against him,” he wrote a long letter declining the invitation.
“But [he added] if it be true that the administration have gone into power contrary to the voice of the nation, and are now expecting, by means of this power, thus acquired, to mould the public will into an acquiescence with their authority, then is the issue fairly made out — shall the government or the people rule? And it becomes the man whom the people shall indicate as their rightful representative in this solemn issue, so to have acquitted himself that, while he displaces these enemies of liberty, there will be nothing in his own example to operate against the strength and durability of the government.”
No candidate for the presidency had ever held such language. Here he plainly denounced the constitutionally elected chief magistrate as a usurper, and arraigned him and the members of his administration as “these enemies of liberty” who were using the power of the government to dragoon the public will into acquiescence. This fierce denunciation was hurled against a President so conscientious in the exercise of his power that, among the public officers, his most virulent enemies and the most enthusiastic supporters of his opponent were as safe in their places as were his friends.
