Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-06-04

done by others,) that my name had
been used to give strength to an en-
terprise sustained by the votes of 400
freeholders of his county, and opposed
by those of only" Far be from me
all such presumption: the gentleman
himself is not more free from the Just
imputation Of such a dictatorial feel
ing. / claim only to be one of the, in
dependent freemen Of my country, and
like them to be entitled to think and to
act for myself.
But we know (says Mr.. H. that
some gentlemen think the atmosphere
troubled by the protracted existence of
an illustrious sage" SC. Now, can
not but express my regret, that Mr.. II.
should have thus introduced an allu-
sion to that distinguished gentleman
into this discussion, and in terms too
that would seem to impute to "somc
gentlemen" feeling of impatience at
the "protracted existence" which it
has pleased Providence to bestow upon
him. Ibelive Mr.. H. could not have
mean, to convey this idea, which, in
relation to myself at least, can say,
would be great injustice. Whatever
objection l may formerly have had to
much of the political course of the gen
tleman. alluded to, or may now have
towards some of his opinions more re-
Gently expressed, towards him, person
ally, my feelings are in perfect charity,
and with much sincerity extend to
him my best wishes for the full enjoy
ment of his latter days. l can willing
ly trust to time and reflection to tenn
per any opinions that are abroad,
sanctioned by the imposing influence
of his name, which would go to impair
the independence of the Judiciary Of
our country, in State or General Gov
eminent, upon which so much depends
the security Of person and Of property;
which affords the only eflectual barrier
to the feeble against the Entertainments
of the strong; which shields the rights
of the humblest citizen against every
attempt at oppression by the other de
partmenls of the government-the de-
struction of which would go to lessen,
in the eyes of the people, and lessen,
in fact, the dignity of that one of the
three coordinate branches of govern
ment, which, holding neither the sword
nor the purse, relies for its usefulness
upon its intcgrity-for its power upon
the public respectable purity of whose
ermine being soiled, attaches a stain
TO the whole nation, whose fountains Of
;nsiicn hn;.>, r-n----'yPvisvn tire wfIoie
land. What an awful admonition does
the present condition of the state of
Kentucky offer upon this subject. In
that fine state, upon which the God of
nature has bestowed his choicest gifts,
anarchy seems to have usurped the
place Of order, and married their fair in
heritance. There "relief laws" Ii. e.
laws which relieve from the obliga-
tons Of Justice have been administer
ed in quick succession to the people
by their kind friends, and in such form
that the independent judiciary of the
state refusing to give them effect; as be-
ing unconstitutional, have themselves
been beaten to the dust by the legisla-
ture to make way for a new Court,
who will construe the Constitution up
on principles more consonant with the
convenience Of an embarrassed people.
This new Court is emphatically called
the Peoples Court; and it is not long
since we were told of a contest be-
tween the old and the new Court for
the public records. When or how
these things are to terminate we know
not. They, however, afford to the po-
litican most important lessons of in
struction, demanding the most serious
attention.-And whilst there can be no
reasonable doubt, that the march ofpub-
lie opinion will, ere long, bring about
the desired Convention, wisdom and
patriotism call aloud to us to move with
caution and elaboration, and not to in
dulge a restless impotence in matter
of such vital importance TO our coun-
try-so dear to US ALTO Virginia, the
land Of our fathers, and the destined in
heritance Of our sons.