Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-19
p, ,be Editor, of the Phenir Gazette.


tho gill of the people for their support ana "a
-. I'D have now 10 add but one more, "
,vh;ch we are peculiarly subject, before pr
.naS 90 chew that some Of them are Impending
over us. .c,ho settlements
have heretofore spoken oil the eXci'en ,:,
IN which. as people, We are naturally suoJ':"
and very concisely pointed at the horrors ~
,rh;cb thew result But II is not IN eHci'e"e"t
- ,h,, we are 10 dread the destruction o,
,r ,;her,ies. il is not from the reckless Jury Oh
= n.onle transported beyond themselves, oy the
iii direo,ed efforts Of a man, powerful d! MS
popularity. and dangerous from his uhPrlhe!
ppIeJ ambition; or from the fuel which MS NIL
p,;ors and incendiaries disseminate through the
conn,rv. No-there is another, and more Dan
,eroos. because more ueacherous evil, s'r'N-
;ng a, The bases upon which society rrsts-a'
the stronghold of Freedom, in the 0cfion' IN
telipence. and spirit of the people. IL Is
that strange apathy, approaching to ia'ui'E'
which arises chiefly from too great co"noe,','
opprcsscs the intellect, and subdues 'he iee,-
inps-it is that indifference to the events "hich
every dav brings forth-that when oi'nos US
either in ignorance or in preJudice,--"h''s' We
are daily approaching nearer ana neare: 10 ''e
fate that we dread, but do not anticipate FROM
whatever cause it may proceed, however, '''ei'
is nothing more insidioasly dangerous TO the
stability of our institutions, and the preserva-
lion of our liberties. 1t comes upon US by de-
prees-in silence-with a steadily increasing
newer till i, becomes reSistless in It's mighty
progress, and we fall its willing, unresistlng,ric-
tins. We may start; but we look IN vain Tor
lis or;pin-we dare not unvei futurlty and DIS
close its horrors 10 our minds.
l have said that we are peculiarly subject to
this danger as people Is ii deried? Look
around YOU. Is there now an'y thing but secu-
rity either in the viriu" and patriotism Of a few
individuals, who nave formed themselves into
band ot naming patriots, and under the sem
bisnce of ardent love Of country, and deep devo-
ton TO the constitution, are plotting the des-
truction Of both? Does any one whisper sus-
picion of the object the leader OF this band has
fixed his eve upon, and moves on steadily TO OBJ
tain! Not breath is heard. We near him
called ambi,ious-unprincipe d-intriguing-
able and daring: but no man has set the limits
10 his ambition, or defined his daring hopes
Under these professions, patriotism and re-
verence for the constitution under which we ex-
isl, thrown out with all the allurements which
ingenuity and talent devoted to self aggran-
disement can conceive or produce, a masked
traitor, risen to elevation by the confidence Of
the people, perpetrateS more villainy than an
open and avowed enemy coming with physical,
backed by moral power-He may BY these
means throw an impenetrabe veil over the de-
signs which he fosters, till they are ripe for
execution-till he has gathered together his
strength, and bursts upon our tancied security
with an overwhelming power. He may thus
wrap US in blind reliance upon his virtue
ALLEVIATE our affections and our duties from the
government and ciples-while we, slum-
bering in Incidence, or oppressed with indfer-
ence, or blinded by prejudice, silently yielding
up, by degrees, our dearest rights, prepare the
way for his march to power.
Our constitution, admitirl ia hA -tb-.---
for the truths il contains, for the rls'!ts II Sc
cures, for the principles upon which y iss's'
maenifcen, from the vast extent & comprehend !
.iveness Of its plan; grand from its origin and
its integral moralily--has pointed out mode |
for the election Of President, which stood the
test of time, which has not, and cannot, be re-
medied. Acting strictly within the limits pre-
scribcd BY this instrument, according 10 the |
dictates Of their judgments, the Representatives
of the People Of the United States, upon whom |
the duty devolved, made the election. Is there |
any thing in this to raise the passions of the
people against the Administration? Is any prin-
cipLe violated! And can it be believed that this |
has been the fruitful source Of an opposition, in
the bosom Of the government, as base in its de-
signs as it is hearlless in its professions? Yet
the people .lumber over this glazing outrage
upon humanity, and listen to the faithless de-
clarations and unmeaning cries Of those who
have committed it. They will not think for
themselves, when, under the eve of the Vice
President Of the United States, under his fauor-
ing eye-in the midst of the most digni6ed as
semby on the earth-before the whole world
this constitution, which we revere, has been
called ianfaronade-a tumble Of unmeaning
phrases. They cannot be reused, when they
see the President Of the Senate Of the United
States heading the band that opposes every
measure Of the Administration, and is pledged
to use every means to destroy it-when they
see him counting, and hattering, and pretend
ing 10 admire, the ruins of man once an &C.
tive and efficient member from Virginia--and
urging him on 10 the utmost viruience. obsce-
nifty, and disgusting exhibtiops-vrulence a.
gainsl the administration, obscenity in Ian
guage, disgusting exhibitions Of human cha
racter. We res, in apathy-we are infatuated
with the belief that all this can do no harm.
Fellow citizens, il degrades us in the estimation
OF the world-it detrac,s from the respect we
should feel for ourseves-It blunts our finest
feelings-it strikes at the fountain Of our pros
perity and happiness, in accustoming our ears
and our minds TO the abuse and ridicule OF the