Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-12-13


il being his opinion, he should not be
afraid to avow it. He had not that
grateful conviction there mentioned,
and if he were to come ,here and ex-
press il, he should prove an ipconsis-
tent character He should not go into
lengthy discussion or this point, but
ifthey turned their eyes to our foreign
relations, there would be found no rea-
son TO exult in the wisdom and firm
ness Of the administration. He believ-
ed on the contrary, that it was from
want Of wisdom and firmness that we
were brought into our present critical
situation. II gentlemen had been sa.
lis6ed with expressing their esteem of
the patriotism and virtue Of the presi-
dent, they might have got a unanimous
vote; bu. they could no, suppose that
gentlemen would so far forget self
respect as to join in the proposed adu-
lation.'
"Mr. Giles said 'he was one Of those
citizens who did not regret the presi-
dents retiring from office He hoped
he would retire 10 his country seat and
enjoy all the happiness he could wish;
and he believed he would enjoy more
there than in his present situation. He
believed the government of the United
States would go on without him. The
people were competent TO their own
government. What calami,ies would
attend the United States. if one man
alone was essential to their govern
ment. he believed there were a thou
sand men in the United States who
were capable of filling the presidential
chair as well as il had been filed here
tofore. And although Glamour had
been raised in all parts of the United
States, more or less, from apprehen-
sions on the departure Of the president
from Office, vet, not feeling these APP
prehensions himself, he was perfectly
easy on the occasion. He wished the
president as much happiness as any
man; and hoping he would retire, he
could not express any regrets at the
vent. And it would be extraordinary,
if gentlemen whose names in the yeas
and nays are found in opposition to
certain PROMINENT measures ct the adj
ministra,ion, should now come forward
and approve those measures. This
could not be expected. He. for his
part, retained The same opinions he had
ALWAYS done with respect to those mea-
sures, nor should any influence under
Heaven proven, him from expressing
that opinion-an opinion in which he
was confident, ere long, all America
would concur
"By the party which had supported
the administration, this motion was
opposed with great earnestness. The
ad, antages which had resulted from
the constitution were said 10 be too
obvious to be controrerted; and il was
maintained that comparison OF the
present situation Of the United States
with its condition anterior TO the adop-
ton of that instrument, or with the
condition of foreign powers, was natu-
raj and proper. This comparison was
made not for the purpose circulation,
but of exciting just sentiments res
pecting their own conduct.
"In reply to the observations res
pec,ing the president, it was said, that
the whole course of his administration
had demonstrated the correctness with
which the terms wisdom and 6rmness
were applied TO it Particular circum-
stances were stated in which these
qualities had been pre-eminently dis
played; but the general impression
which facts had made on the public
mind was considered as dispensing
with the necessity of stating the parti-
cular facts themselves.
"It might be true that there were
many others who could fill with pro-
priety and advantage the presidential
chair, but no man could fill it who pos
sessed, in an equal degree, the conf
dence Of the people. The possession
Of this confidence enabled the chief
magistrate to perform the duties of his
office in manner greatly conducive 10
the interests Of the nation, and the loss
Of so valuable public servant was
certainly just cause of regret. With
this sentiment, the feelings Of the COM
munity fully accorded. In every part
Of the United States, the declarations
oftheir constituents attested the regrets
with which this event was contempla'
ted by them. Those gentlemen who
did not participate in these feelings,
would have an opportunity TO record
their names with their opinions But
these who did participate in them
ought not to be restrained from tx
pressing them.
"The motion to strike out was lost"
CORRESPONDENCE.
Hfg,cam, Nov &c, 1925.
JOHN MARSHALL, Esq.