Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-12-29
From the Charlottesville Central Gazette.
THE p,.,uuoND ENoITIRER.

THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
sThere are more things in heaven and earth,
Horatio,
Than are dreamed of in thy philosophy
We are not impelled by love OF con-
troversy, to seek conflict, either ludi-
crous or grave, with the editors Of this
paper. We feel as reluctant as MIR.
Richie, to couch lance, in this intes'
tine warfare, while there are so many
Saracens in the field, against whom,
our united efforts would make but fee
bic head, We are prepared to rally in
the last entenchmenl of the tonstitu-
tion-to stand or fall by the side Of this
redoubted champion, as the fight thick
ems around him-to cover his corse,
with the blood stained remnant Of the
Republican banner, if like the Roman
Dentalns, he should sink, overcome by
thousand assailants. In open war,
opposed to enemies of flesh and blood,
our motto should be ga fair field, an
equal sky and God speed the 6ght"-
but we will wage-no battle with your
dead Percies-nor tilt with QuiXotic
intrepidity at shadows and mere cas-
ties of the air. If our friend and fel-
low labourer is for this sport, he must
win all the laurels, and he may wear
them.
1t is true, as the Enquirer remarks,
that we cannot see the dangers"
which are apprehended from Mr..
Kings resolution. 1t has been our
misfortune oftencr than once, not to
perceive the frightful spectres, which
have struck such panic on the sensi-
tive nerves of our estimable coadjntors.
Their war cry has echoed in our ears,
till its tones have lost much of their
ha-shness-and if we slumber at our
post, it is only as the mariner sleeps
amid the roar Of the tempest, 10 dream
of peril and disaster. We have nei-
Their time nor inclination to indulge
MIR. Ritchie's curiosity. His Socratic
mode of reasoning, is better calculated
to disguise than to elicit truth. 1t is
an easier task to compile catechism
than to solve one principle Of faith. If
it is heresy to dissent from dogmas of
political fanaticism, or TO question the
infallibility Of the Delphic Oracle of
our modern times, then have we trans
crossed, and shall need the light of Mr..
Ritchie's star, town us back to the
path of the constitution But we
trust, that without the aid of precept
or example from the Enquirer, we shall
maintain our own consistency and de-
votion to the principles of legitimate
orthodoxy.
We are challenged, 10 "put our FIN
ger on the clause of the constitution"
which empowers Congress TO a. upon
Mr.. Kings resolulion-monStrari digito
ct deere HE est. We will preR,ise, with
out attempting 10 evade the enquiry,
that We feel no prepossession for the
author of this resolution, and our par
TALLY for it, proceeds more from an
anxiety on the subject to which il re.
lates, than from any respect whatever
to Mr.. King. If the question, then, is
to be met in its proper attitude, we
must enquire into the purposes for
which the coniederacy of states, was
formed. We would have
Mr.. Richie, lay aside the mantle of
and with it his in,eterate
prejudices-whi!e be descends to
PLAIN, obvious and Ineligible exposi-
ton oil the powers NECESSARY TO the ex-
isIence OF the federal government and
OF It's great purposes In
the preamble 10 the Federal Constitu-
ton, it is declared, that Gin order TO
form more perfect union, to establish
justice, ensure Tranquility, provide for
the common defence and general weyare,' Is
this instrument was adopted. These,
then, art the ends to be attained IN
another clause, the first in the enume
ration of powers granted to Congress,