Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-02-08
From the Warrington City Gazette.
yALRDICTORY.

Having withdrawn, for the present, from the
arduous and responsible duties of an editor-to
CRAFTY the wishes of our friends. and to satisfy
our own feelings, we propose to say a few words
to our patrons on parting.--Thise establishment
is in the eleventh year of its existence: at its
commencement we promised nothing; as the
mutabiIity OF every thing in nature and in the
human character, admonishes us loudly to be
cautious on this head; but as far as poitica! ho-
nesty has been concerned in the course we have
pursued, We do not fear to submit our labors to
the candid criticism of our opponents On the
firm ground of "Principles, and not Men," we
have endeavored TO tread; keeping aloof, as far
as consistent with our democratic feeling, from
personal considerations; and retaining the full
command Of our mental faculties free from
the guidance Of others-still keeping in view,
however, the interests of the republican party,
by whom we have been chiefly sustained in our
political career. AS to the advantage OF our Ia
bours, how far we have been able to meet he
views Of our friends, we do not wish to speak:
most OF us arc apt TO conceive ourselves of more
importance in public life than we really are:
but human vanity may learn lesson from the
fact, that when the most distnguishe! men retire
from public life, the affairs of society suffer
comparatively little from their retirement We
have neither had the vanity nor weakness to at
tempt the extirpation Of party spirit; its exis-
tence is, in our opinion, TOO salutary. and in
deed essential to the publication of our polit-
cal atmosphere, to desire such result On all
doctrinal points of politics, we think they cam
not be too distinctly understood, or openly a
vowed in public editor; arguments on both
sides should be brought 10 the test Of The con-
stitution, and to the construction which Con.
gress, by their acts, have put upon the pro,i-
sions Of that instrument; hence our best endca-
vors have been employed TO disseminate cor
rect ideas of constitutional law, and in aiding
to concentrate public sentiment, with view TO
correct decision on such important questions.
On taking retrospect of the past, we can
assert, without the fear Of contradiction, that
we have generally endeavored TO treat our po-
litical advcrsaries with becoming decorum in
print, though we confess we had a difficult task
to sustain on this head. TO meet the absurd-
ties and extravagancies of some Of our politi-
cal enemies, has been to us the most lrksome
Of all tasks We now rejoice that the neees.-
ty Of daily repeling them has passed away. l,
was always unpleasant to our feelings, and de-
grading TO our intellect, to be compelled, bv
the force of circumstances, to contend with the
scribblers of the hour, in whose defeat neither
credit nor character could be acquired and if
we have been obliged to use little asperity to-
wards such opponents, it was because the dog
days of petty politics occasionally brought up
OR the stage many corrupt and unprincipled
partizans, whom it was necessary to drive from
the arena Of political combat, by little whole
some flagellation BY subsequent events, we
believe, we stand completely justified in the
eyes of the great body of independent republi-
cans from the singular consequence that
President was chosen by minority of republi-
cans. We have, therefore, concluded that it
is as well, for the present, to abdicate the field
Of controve sy, and to leave to popular feeling,
and 10 the reflections Of wisdom, (if WISDOM,
in such cases, can have any inauence) the cur
rent Of political events
In our abstract of Congressional proceedings
we have endeavored TO be strictly impartial and
accurate. We have endeavored to do the state
some service, by publishing literally OH the
great questions of internal Improvements, state
rights, and domestic manufactures We have
raised Dur humble voice against every species
Of intrigue and corruption, either in its Incl
pient or tangible shape. We have been the
sincere and ardent advocates of South Ameri-
can independence, not only by words but by
deeds, having rallied, in our youth, in the early
stage of that memorable contest, under the
standard Of Gen. Miranda, in the territory of
Caracas. Without ostentaton, this fact is
merely intended to explain the reason why our
columns have been so much devoted to South
American topics We have ven,ured TO oppose
every monarchial tendency Of our national ex-
ecutive, and to point out the necessity of fire.
qaently cleansing the Augean stable, which
was began by the publication of Mr. Jefferson's
BIG BOOK We have opposed the acceptance
Of public Offices by members OF Congress, for
fear Of an undue influence being exercised by
the executive over thei" votes. We have adj
vocated an amendment TO the constitution, so
as to make the people the final electors Of their
Chief Magistrate.
We have advocated sbor'er presidential
terms. We have advocated the manumission
Of the press from executive control We have
been in faver Of cutting down, rather than
building up, expensive Notifications, or main
tanning standing armies. We have been the
friend of the navy, its energetic administration
and its gradual increase, as ahording floating
battery; that may BE- removed to any point of
defence; as affordng protection to our mer-
chants, fame TO our arms, and wealth to the
nation. In fine, we have always endcavored 10
do justice to the military virtues by which our
Independence was effected; the liberal princi-
l.. ~ r. A. Il Al.