Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-13
From the Missouri Republican,.
TORCH LIGHTING. VII.


Statesmen, who, like the President and Sec
retary OF State, have, through long period OF
public life, sustained spotless reputation
have been distinguished throughout Europe and
America. for their talents, their integrity ana
their virtues, and remarkable for the candor,
frsnkress and fearessness, with which they nave,
a. all times, ayowed & maintained their opHnohs
and princiLles. cannoi be Justly suspected oil de.
signs hostile to tie public good, or dangerous
20 the liberties or poiitca existence OF the coun-
try. until some overt act of folly or deprayity,
established by unquestionable evidence. Onti
then. those who affect TO detect sinister design
artifice or s,ratagem, in every proposal OF Suen
men. must be considered as furnishing, by taeir
suspicion, an indubi,able token OF their o"n po-
itical depravi,y, as deriving their conclusions
from the consciousness ofther own disposition,
and imputing to others the inclination which
they feel predominant in their own oosoms.-
Such is the source, and such the character, oil
all the charges alledged against the Admins
traton by the "peopse's men." Unable to OBJ
ram power, the object Of all their designs, by
regular means, they endeavor 10 prepare the
publis mind, FIR their own prererment, by fabri-
eating and industriously circulating, Calumnies,
designed to overwhelm, with obloquy, all those
whose talents and virtues have secured TO them
public confidence. Hitherto they have been
defeated as often as their charges were reduced
10 specific accusation, and the statesmen to
whom this nation is SO much indebted, rose
triumphantfrom the contest. Though discom-
fitted, however, they were not sobdued, nor have
they relinQuished their favorite mode of annoy
ance; but awaiting themselves OF every oppor-
tuni,y to unite the disaffected, to form ga COM
pact OF union, league and confederation" be-
tween all those whose ambition has been baf-
fed. the commencement o. the last session OF
Congress discovered coalition, such was
never before witnessed, avowedly organized to
oppose the Administration, IN all lis measures,
right or wrong. The nomination of ministers
10 Panama, was seized upon as ut occasion for
renewing the attack, and this measure, dictated
by the interests oftbe nation, sanctioned by the
policy OF the late President, and supported by
the whole nation, was assaiied by insinnations
Of suspicion, that the present Administration
was about TO engage the nation III entanglng al
liances, abandon its neutrality, and involve US
In war
/, is not my purpose, nor is II necessary, 10
enter into arguments IN support OF the missions;
its expediency has been unarswerably vindicat-
ed, and triumphantly maintained, by the Prcsi-
dent and Secretary, and by host OF disinterest
ell statesmen, in both Houses of Congress,
whose principles have not been overcome by
their predictions for one man, or their dislike
for another; aud who are willing to Judge the
tree by It's fruitS-the Administration by It's
measures A recurrence 10 facts, in The recOl-
lection Of all will demonstrate, that the opposi-
tion 10 this measure, does not arise from any
love OF country, or real apprehension OF danger,
but from the ambition and seli-loye, or envy and
revenge, Of the conitderaies; and, by reference
{ the constitution, il will be seen, that no ALI
ce can be formed withou: treaty, and no trea-
~ made obligatory, without the appreciation OF
two-thirds OF the Senate; nor can troops be rais-
ed, or supplies furnished, for the purposes OF
war, without the previous sanction OF the Nation
al egislaturea~-consequently all arguments
urged against this mission, on the ground that
such a treaty might probably be formed, would
apply with equal force, TO any mission whateV-
er. aud amount TO objections against all foreign
intercourse, which must be conducted by the "a
rency of ministers, the President and Senate,
all Of whom as are liable 10 corruption IN one
case as another.
- When the late President announced 10 the
world that this nation would not view with IN
!. difference, an attempt by any oil The powers OF
I Europe, to Interfere between Spain and her late
Colonies, the declaration was approved and
. cheerrd by the whole nation, and by none more
heartily, than by the leaders'of the Opposition.
!. Aware, however, that their present course isat
war with the determination, Indicated IN this
declaration, they now affect 10 consider il as a
mere yapourng, aad 10 escape from The impu-
taton OF Inconsistency, attempt TO convict the
= late President, the people and themselves, OF
idle gasconade: but ii was not so considered by
the Holy Alliance, or by any other nation on
the globe; it has had its effect only because this
: nat,on. in the opinion Of the Allied Powers,
manifes,ly stood pledged to second it by action.
Although recurrence 10 these facts, is, by no
means, necessary TO justify the mission, in which
an armament against the holy Alliance canno,
be contemplated, because all apprehension of
danger from that quarter has ceased: YET, i, will
serve 10 show how far the Opposition were
once disposed to go, in order to guarantee the
sIt is true that General Jackson did once appoint.
emnoy troops and them into the service OF the
Un.ted States without any law, even the orders OF
the Presdsnl--a usurpation which might be repeated
70 alarming and dangerous extent If this nation
should confer on hlm the Office or Chief Magistrate,
but precedent not hkey to be followed by those
wao NC lerstand and reverence the Constitution.