Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-01

tiS1ed O. their crrOT; Out the MOST Oh thoIh Gil
not claim the benefit OF this pretext, miserable
as il is-among these is Colonel Benton. He,
al least. cannot pretend previous ignorance OF
The character and disposition Of General jack
son, ort he has been led into denunciations OF
him by mistake. There are circumstance fresh
in the recollection Of many Of the people of this
State (f he has forgotten them,) exhibited in
the publications made by these gentlemen a.
gains, each other, which should have forbidden
reconciliation forcver.t Yet these men have
become warm friends and close allies. Colonel
| Benton, at least, is now as thorough going in
support Of his ne,D friend, as he was lately VIC
lent against him AS if fearful he would fall
short of General Jackson's demands, he has
renowned his friendship for Mr.. Clay, and now
accuses him OF. practising a fraud upon the Sc
nate, by purposely furnishing them false trans
lalion Of public document. He has deserted
his kinsman, whose obedient servant he laIely
was; and confederaIes with his enemies in de-
stroying his well earned reputation, for no 9th
err apparent reason, than that he, would not fol-
low the example of changing long established
opinions, and become a parasite and t~latterer
OF the Opposition %favorite.
With such facts before us, it would seem to
me to be wholly unnecessary, to urge the dam
ger Oh tnilStluS Ill tHG CduSt, encouraging tux
i'll, directed ambition, and following the fortunes
of men OF such deplorable instability in their
friendships, their opinions, and their principles.
Surely no confidence can be placed in the allie
cations of politicians, who at one time, upon
their oaths, accuse a public officer OF high
crimes, and at another, without atonement or e.
ven explanation, turn and worship him as an l.
dol From the specimens we have had {. the
t1uctualing opinions OF the vindictive accusers
Of the President and Secretary, we have reason
10 anticipate, that ere long they will renounct
their pretended opinions, abandon their ground
less accusations, and as likely as not, become
the supporters OF the men they now hate. They
are nol, even now, consistent with themselves;
while they profess to reverence the constitution,
they countenancea and support the ambitious pro-
lects OF a man, who, according to their own o.
pinlons, has repeatedly shown his contempt, or
ignorance, of its provisions. Claiming to be
the special champions OF state rights, they pro-
pose to reward, with the highest honours of
the Republic, the man who, as commander OF a
part Of the national army, prevented the legisla-
ture Of one state from freely exercising its con-
stitutional functions, and daringly insulted the
Chief Magistrate Of another sovereign state,
and usurped a portion Of his constitutional pow
ers. Protesting to be the exclusive friends Of
the people, and the special guardians of their
liberties, they endeavor to advance 10 the Chief
Magistracy Of this nation, one who stands accn-
sed by themselves of constructing the admins
tration of Justice, "-"aftecling 10 render the mi
lilary independent of, and superior to the civil
power"-of" suspending the writ Of Habeas
Corpus"-of denying "the benefits Of trial by
Jury to persons arrested for "pretended often
ces," and subjec,ing them to a "mock trial" by
a military court, and of many other acts of op-
preston, similar in character, * equally grlev-
Gus with those alleged against the late King OF
England, in our Declaration of Independence.
Indeed, the Opposition seem TO have but one
rule of political action, but that forms the very
definition Of despotism, namely, that "the end
i~ustifes the means Even that sacred instru-
menl, which stands as a proud monument OF
the wisdom and trmness Of its authors, advo-
Gates and supporters, consecrated by the blood
Of patriots, rrvered by the friends Of civil liber-
ty Of every nation, has not escaped the unhal-
lowed assaults Of the disaffected: before the as
sembled Senate Of the nation, the D~EcLARATIoN
OF INDEPENDENCE has been pronounced, by the
mouth of1heir supreme director,( Mr.. Randolph
to be a RIDICULOUS FANFARONAOE,"
that is, q tumor Of fictitious dignity. 1t is true, that
Mr.. r. is the only member ofthe coalition who
has had the hardihood, or indiscretion, openlyt to
avow their true principles; but it is equally GER
tain, that at the coming forth Of the above CLASH
cal epithet, he was supported by the approving
smiles of all his confederates In the Senate, and
especially OF his "triend indeed;" who, it is said,
always %contrive to be near the "Senalor from
Virginia" when he makes his "senate distress
ing harangues," and with an "aspect of won
drous WISDOM" a greedy ear, and delighted
countenance, devours the farragos OF the won,
derful man." CURTlCS.
Zone of the publications of Gen. Jackson, during the
memorable controversy with Col. b., is said to be still
extant, in possession of a gentleman of New Madrid
county, in this state, and contains an allegation of
facts, as we'll as of opinions, not very credltable to his
new friend.
+Col. Benton. The intimacy of this gentleman with
Mr.. Randolph, is not the least extraordinary of the e.
vents growing out of the late election; to us at a dis
lance, it appears altogether mysterious. Those, how
ever, who clam to understand the matter, insinuate that
it was produced by their respective wants-the one
wanted adulation, and receives 1.-THE other wanted a
legacy, and expects it. Let him beware" the most
extravagant love is nearest to the strongest hatred p
He has himself recently verified the truth ofthisremark,
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