Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-10

evcrv idea in that address. A careful perusal
of that history will convince them. that the
principles Of policy which it recommends as
rules for the conduct Of others, are precisely
those by which he regulated his own
There have been in the world but two sys-
TENS or schools Of policy, the one founded on
the great principles of wisdom and recttuoe'
the other on cunning, and lis various artlhces,
To the first of these belonged washington, anu
all the other worthless of every country VINO as
cended to the Temple of Honor through the
Temnle Of Virtue. The doctrines, maxlms,
and precepts of this school have been explain
ed and inculcated by the ablest writer's, ancient
and modern. In all civilized countries they are
known. though often neglected.; and In Tree
states have always been publicly commended
and tanpht: they crossed the Atlantic with our
forefathers, and in our days particularly have
mot only engaged the time and attention OF stu
dents. but have been constantly and eloquently
disnlaved by able men in our senates and assem-
bles. What reason can there be to suppose
that Washington did not understand those sub
;ects? If it be asked what these subjects com
pretended or relate to, the answer is this,-they
relate to the nature and duties Of man, TO his
propensities and passions, his virtues and vices,
his habits and preiudices, his real and relative
wants and enioyments, his capacities Tor social
and national happiness, and the means ny
which, according TO time, place, and other ex-
listing circumstances, it is in a greater or less
degree to be procured, preserved and encreas-
ed From profound investigation OF these
subjects, enlightened by experience, result all
that knowledge and those maxims and pre-
cepts of sound policy, which enables legislators
and rulers TO manage and govern public affairs
wisely and justly.
By what other means than the practical use OF
this knowledge, could Washington have been
able to lead and govern an army hastily collec-
ted from various parts, and who brought win
them to the field all the license and all the hab.
its which they had INDUCED at home! Could
he by the force Of orders and proclamatlonS,
have constrained them TO render to him that
obedience, confidence, and warm attachment
which he so soon acquired, and which, thu ough-
out all vicisstudes and distresses, continued
constant and undiminished TO the last! by
what other means could he have been able to
| Illustrate the designs of dark cabals, and the
unceasing intrigues of envious competitors, and
the arts of the opposing enemy? BY what o.
| Their means could he have been able IN so mas
| terly manner 20 meet and manage all those
perplexing embarrassments which the revolu-
! tionary substitution of new government
which the want of that power in congress
which they had not, and of that promputude
which no deliberate body can have,-whlch
the frequent restitution and constant uncertain
ty of essential supplies,-which the incompe-
tency of individuals on whom much Deepen
ded, the perhdity of others, and the mismanage-
ment of many, could not fail to engender!
| We know. and history will inform posterity,
that. from the first of his military career, ne
had to meet and encounter, and surmount a
rand succession of formidable difficulties, even
down to the time when his country was enabled
by the success of their arms, to obtain the hon.
durable peace which terminated the war HIS
high and appointed course being then finished,
he disdained the intimations OF awless amb-
ton TO prolong it-He disbanded the army
under circumstances which required no COM
mon degree of policy or virtue; and with uni
| versal admiration and plaudits, descended, Joy
fully and serenely into the shades OF retirement.
| They who ascribe all this to the guidance and
nrorection Of Providence do well, but let them
recollect that Providence seldom interposes in
human affairs, but through the agency OF hu-
man means.
When at a subsequent and alarming period,
the nation found that their affairs had gone into
confusion, and tina, clouds portendng danger
and distress were rising over them IN every
Quarter. they Instituted under his auspices
more efficient government, and unanimously
committed The administration OF II 10 him.
Would they have done this without the highesl
confidence in his political talents and wisdom!
Certainly not-no novice in Navigation was e.
yer unanimously called upon to take the helm
! or command IF ship on the point OF running
aground among the breakers This universal
confidence would have proved universal mis-
take, had it not been justified by the event The
unanimous opinion entertained and declared by
whole people in favor Of any fellow-iitizen is
rarely erroneous, especially in times OF alarm
and calamity.
To delineate the course, and enumerate the
measures. which he took to arrive at success,
would be to write volume. The hrmness and
policy with which he overcome the obstacles
placed in his way by the arrangement OF ma
tionai affairs, BY the devices of domestic dema-
pogues and of foreign agents, as well as by the
deleterious influence of the French revolution,
need not be partcuarized Our records, and
histories, and memories, render it unnecessary.
It is sufficient to say, and it can be said with
truth. that his administration raised the nation
out Of confusion into order, out OF degradation
;,,o raputatiOn and DrOSDer lty: II