Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-01-22

very anti-republican, and contrary to
every principle Of democracy; it is the
more strange, because such ideas have
been generated in the head, and have
fallen from the lips, of the most conspi-
cuous champion in late times, Of free
principles in New-England and to the
uniform and ardent support Of which,
he owes his present eminent rank and
station. But really he seems suddenly
to have become enamoured with arbi-
trary power, and anxious to make one
experiment of it on the District OF Co
hmbia,perhaps to demonstrate to man.
kind, that in the hands of such men as
himself it never will be abused; and
only be felt in the profusion Of bless
ings which it will bestow on the subject
people.
AS Mr.. H. processes towards the
District, the fondness of parent to his
children, it is to be regretted that con-
gress has not assigned to him the task
ofmaking laws for it. No place ever
needed more, wise, benevolent and
paternal legislator. And it would GER
tainly be more safe to employ a learned
and virtuous citizen of our own coun-
try, than to send to foreign land for a
Jeremy Benthem, if he be still living,
or any other renowned Philanthrophist
to do this business for us. If, however,
congress will not grant to this District,
this favor, can they refuse to take up
Cranch's Digest, and with the aid OF
their own wisdom and experience, give
to their subjects Of the District of Co
lumbia, less unjust and oppressive
system of Rule than that which Tor
twenty-four years they have imposed on
them.
The District is certainly under
greater obligations TO Mr.. H. than any
other member Of Congress, as he is
willing to compensate it for the loss OF
liberty, and for the want of good laws,
by liberal donations of money. In this
he shews kind and generous temper,
and that while "he feels power and for
gets right" he is not wanting in bene-
violence and charity.
Mr.. H. in this last extract undoubt-
edly avows different opinions relative
to republican government, from those
expressed by the present enlightened
and patriotic governor Of New-York.
Governor Clintonin his late message
to the Legislature of that state, ays"A
republican government is certainly
most congenial With the nature, most
propitious to the welfare, and most
conducive to the dignity Of our species.
Nan becomes degraded in proportion as he
loses the right Of seyTgouernment %
Mr.. H. seems to think that such de-
graduation can never happen to man
when under the arbitrary rule Of Con-
gress.
MIR. H. too, does not appear to agree
with Mr.. Webster, who, on the Greek
question last winter said, "the enlight-
ened part of mankind have very dis
tinctly evinced a desire to take share
at least in the government Of them
selves. The men Of this age ,ciA not be
satisfied eyen witA kind masters" Nor
with Mr.. McDufie, who on another
question last winter observed, "where-
ever the power of government ope-
rates on the interests those to which
it is not responsible, there is precisely
somuch despotism."
Mr.. Macon, who may be regarded as
personifying Democracy itself-who is
democratic in every idea of his mind,
and in every act and movement of his
body, appears to agree with Mr. Holmes
that the District of Columbia ought
not to be represented in the Legislature
by which its laws are made.
although this District has no rep
resentative, (said Mr.. N.Y. it was in a
better situation than any other part OF
the Union-from the quantity Of public
money expended in IT.; and the people
were as able to pay for the education of
their own children as any state in, the
union. Their advantages are immense. y
"When the well beloved Brutus stab
bed, twas the unkindest cut of ALL