Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-01-13
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1895.

~ part of the country through which
the contemplated national road may,
BY the remotest probability, be located;
and in no state do we End the people
more anxious and jealous than in Vir-
ginia. In none of their resolutions can
we trace a constitutional scruple; nor
have we read Of the slightest OPPOSE
ton by the intelligent yeomanry OF the
country, even in those sections of Vir-
ginia where no local benefit is imme-
diately anticipated. The truth is,
that the great body Of the people Of
Virginia are in favor Of a general sys-
tenn of internal improvement; and as
we do not belong to that school of po-
liticians who think the people their
own enemies, nor believe that, if LETT to
Judge and act for themselves, they will
ever go essentially wrong, we should
be better pleased to see them following
the dictates of their honest opinions,
than guided by the rigid disciplinarians
of Richmond, whose tactics have al
ready thrown the " Old Dominion" in
the rear of the national phalanx. Her
station is in front, and her liberal citi-
zens, we trust, will reclaim it.
But such is the dread Of trusting to
popular sentiment, that MIR. Richie
and his able correspondents are MAX
ing every exertion, not only TO con-
vince the Virginians that they are
straying from their own principles, but
to excite them against their ablest mi
nisters, and to induce belief, that
every important measure which is pro-
posed by the general government has
no other object than the enlargement OF
its powers. Their constant cry is, that
the salus reipu5les is in danger-that
the national government is seeking to
engulf the sacred privileges that be-
long exclusively to the states. If such
were really the case, we would cheer
fully Join in the cry.-But, besides our
own convictions, we can hardly believe
that so many states, apprised, as they
were, Of the principles Of Mr.. Calhoun,
would have given him the decided and
honorable support that they did, had
they believed that those principles were
dangerous.
An adequate system Of internal I'M
provement, and the permanent defence
of our extensive borders, are the favor
lite and salutary measures OF that dis
tinguished statesman. He has avowed
them boldly and honestly, and has
brought upon himself the most invete-
rate hostility Of the powerful leaders OF
the Richmond party. We copy, for
the present, the following communica-
ton from the Enquirer, in corrobora-
ton of our remarks. 1t carries with 1t
sufficient evidence of its origin, and
may be regarded as a general order OF
the party.
fcoxNuNIcArrD.
After the Greeks had pressed the siege OF
Troy ten years, they determined to take BY
sap what they could not obtain by storm
They introduced wooden horse into the city,
filed with armed men, In vain did the Priest
ofApollo protest against the present: in vain
exclaim
"Tfmeo Dz,aos ct OF dona ferentes."
His demded countrymen shut their eyes to the
danger; and Troy, who had so manfally re-
sisted her open enemies, was laid n ashes.
Let Us 6e,Dve Of the rooden horse. We have
manfally defended the constitution; but the
temptation is at our gates. This national road
whose traces are laid in three lines, is calcula.
ted to touch the interest and rouse the cuPl'
dity, of our citizens But do the politicians
at Washington think to succeed in their OBJ,
ject' Does Mr.. Calhoun expect to introduce
his wooden horse into our city, Can they de-
ceive u.s. Shall we, like the infatuated Esau,
ssgive up our bnthright for mess ofpottage"
Not that good roads are not good THINGS but
the constitution ofour country ought to be in
f;nitely dearer to us. There roads-these ma
tional schools! What are they but so many
means Of sacrificing ouI principles These
national schools. are the schools for teaching
new opinions. These roads, are some ofthe
road, to conduct us to consolidation.
Our citizens seem to be biting at the lure;
begging for the road, and sacrificing their con-
stitutional principles to temporary exped-
ency. They may have roads. but these viii
be dearly purchased at the expence OF then
or;nciples. Let the general government be