Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-04-06

often done before on questions Of equal Difficult.
ty, to consult Squire Longhead This gentle
man, for he is a gentleman as well as Justice
two characters admit not always united-is
looked, upon as the Oracle of our county His
opinions, always formed without prejudice or
passion, are seldom questioned, and will at any
time turn the scale on disputed point either
in politics or morals. He has studied nature,
by observation and experience; man, by min
Cling with his fellows and closely observing the
motives of human conduct; and books, in the
best authors Of ancient and modern times. Ii is
whispered that in his younger years. he passed
through college, and has Latin and Greek at
| his fingers ends But this is mere conjecture;
| for it is certain that he has never been known
| to throw scraps of either to the MULTITUDE. 1t
is likely he uses these languages only in the So
.ciety Of the "few," who sometimes visit him, and
for whom it would not be necessary, suppose,
to make TRANSACTIONS My neighbors have often
remarked, that he seldom gives his opinions i'll
church or state, unless solicited; or withholds
them when they can serve the public or an in
dividual; or advances any other than his real
opinion.
Such is the man whose sentiments we thought
Improper to ask as guide to The formation Of
our own
He received US with that genuine politeness
which / am. told is always one characteristic of
true greatness, but which know is not the in
variable concomitant of elevated station. Con-
Quoting US himself. for he has few attendants,
into his best furnished Hall, he introduced us to
an accidental visitor as his intimate and nearest
neighbors, and by his ease and familiarity made
US forget that we had come from the plough,
and were clad not in superhne broadcloth, but
in plain linsey wooisey. / we'll recollect his
having presented me his own arm chair, an no.
nor which, if it becomes known, will make me
the object of envy throughout the county.
Unlike many modern orators who, adopting
the order of the Pyramid, consider the exordi-
um the principal part of the speech, and bewil-
the argument we stated Immediately, and
briefly, the object Of our visit informed him Of
the points in which we had agreed, and the
doubts still entertained; and begged the result
Of his reflections, TO enable US to decide on the
conduct of OUR rulers when we should be next
called to the polls. He replied, to the best Of
my recollection, as follows
"You are right, my friends, in considering
this measure of, at least, a harmless character.
We have the most unqualified assurance, both
from the Executive of our Country, and the Re-
representatives. Of the States, by whom the invi-
taton has been given, that our Ministers willnot
be required to engage in the discussion of mea-
sures with which we have no concern, or which
would have the slightest tendency to involve us
in any difficulty with European powers, or vio-
late the rules of the most scrupulous neutrality.
In one view, the acceptance Of this invitation
will be productive Of advantage twill afford
an unequivocal proof Of the sincerity Of our
professions, and tend 10 conciliate Republics
with which, from their location, We must have
very intimate relations, the value of whose con-
sumption of our fabrics has formally been de-
monstrated by Senator from Missouri, and
with whom policy requires that we should re-
main on the most friendly footing. Had the
President declined accepting The invitation, he
would have forfeited, in my judgment, the high
character h. has deservedly acquired as states
man and diplomatist. Its re lection would have
been ascribed 10 an ignorance of the interests
OF our country to asecret prediction for the
monarchcal governments and principles Of Eu-
rope; and, under the mask Of avoiding entang-
ling alliances, to determination to look on,
unmoved, at every attempt which might be
made, by the combined powers of Europe, to
crush our sister Republics. 1t would have been
hailed with JOY by the enemies Of freedom
and received with complacency by the oppo-
nents Of the administration. ! am aware that
attempts have been made, (from what motives
/ need not say TO give 10 this measure fac
titious importance. l! has been alledged that
it will compromit the peace, dignity, and neu-
trality of our country, and is opposed to the
interests and views Of great "subdivision" Of
the Union. Charity will not allow me to sup
pose with some, that these are mere phantoms
raised by those who do not believe their own al
legations, for the single purpose of producing
a panic among the "ignorant vulgar": Nor
would ascribe them, with others, to the raw
inss of highly excited but disordered fancy.
But, from whatever motive proceeding, they
strongly remind me of the fable of the "CouN-
TRyMEN AND THE CLOUD" which you have
doubtless heard %
We informed him we had not, and begged
him TO repeat it; which, with his usual condo
scension, he did, as follows
"Hodge, said Simon, in a m elancholy tone,
ITO his neighbor, as they were at work in the
"6elds, my good friend Hodge-PRAY LOOK AT
SHAT ENORMOUS BLACK CLOUD THERE Well
sit is frightful token Of SHOCKING MIsFoR-
"TuNE! How SO, enquired Hodge-how so Do
"you not see the cloud said Simon? Either |
lam an Ignorant blockhead, or we are going TO
shave dreadful shower Of hail, which will de-
"stroy every thing: our apples, our barley, our
Sxube all L.. no Lost IN