Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-06-16

of measures, gradually running into each other
by the practical use of them by Government,
thew fixed upon men. The political ePi'het be-
came term of proscrption-of angry re-
proach.-of violent persecution. During the
administration of the late President, the spirit
of party sung its own requiem; 1t gently slept
away its angry excitements, and at the close oil
his term. men Of all parties hoped to rest IN the
happy consciousness of mutual esteem and
goodwill, They behed the best, and most Ia
vori,e propositions of either, introduced INTO
close fellowship with each other, and they look
ed m TO the prosperous issue of this union
with undoubting confidence in It's WORTH
They have become more and more attached
from better acquaintance, and calmer and more
candid views, and live tremendously under the
fruition Of their hopes. Here then is no ioun'
da,ion for the formation Of coalition, as
base in its designs, as it is in its chiefs, or ior
the daring hopes of its ambitious leader
Such was the situation of this country, pros
porous in itself, a, home and abroad, when an
election OF President at the constitutional Pc
Rod, was approa ching John {. Calhoun, once
DISTINGUISHED representative from South Ca
rolna, at that time holding the honorable trust
of Head of the War Department, amongst Sc
veral others, was proposed 10 the People can
didate for the Office. His success, at all times
doub,ful-indeed do not believe he entertain
ed serious hopes Of it himsclf-was almost ces-
paired Of, when Mr.. Dallas, his most strenuous
advocate, to whom Mr. Calhoun had promised
his best support for foreign appointment, (and
Mr.. c. was supposed to be very powerful in
the Cabnet,) visited Washington. He then
found that Mr. Calhoun had neglected his in
terests, and abused his confidence. AT this
time Mr. G.. was leaving no effort untried, to
persuade the friends of Mr.. Adams, that ne
would willingly lend them his powerful aid, but
for his position before the People. MIR. Dallas
returned to Philadelphia, and, unauthorized by
Mr. Calhoun, Immediately published his de-
cension. Mr.. Calhoun became candidate
for the Vice Presidency, supported by Mr.. A
QdlnS hlcnuS, too SoH!liSV'y uSSSi'S" ~ "'''',
and succeeded. Before the election, having
basely deserted his former friends, he began
the league Of which he is now the acknow-
lodged head, exhibiting the strange and danger.
GUS spectacle to the world, Of an unrelenting,
unreasonable, and dishonest opposition, in an
Office of second dignity, to that of the highest
grade, in republican government. Had Mr..
Calhoun been aware of the mockery OF such
scene, and the stigma it casts upon our govern
ment, his known admiration OF It's institutions
and regard for the People-his patriotism
would have revolted at it. But il was in cha
racter. He was captivated by its novelty-he
saw the position to which it would elevate him
he almost felt the notorety which 1t would
give him-he was hurried away by his pas
sions-binded by his ambition.
He hoped to rake from their ashes the
dead embers of parry zeal, and kindle them
from his own blast into consuming ire.-it
is all in character He has embarked on des-
pera,e enterprise, without provision Tor con
,ingencies-wilhyut foresight, the characteristic
of the man. For what is he remarkabe!-
What has he done to acquire the reputation,
which has spread with such rapidi,y through
the country, but intrigue, and project bold
schemes that he never has, and never can COM
plete? He writes with force and energy,-but
without elegance or precision; never descend
ing to particulars, but expanding and embrac-
ing generals, he conveys the idea of a vast capa-
city that catches at bold points, and exhibits
striking prominences, from which we are 10
look into minutie. 1t is well for him that it
does so: but we want more in statesman than
a theorist-we must have practical man.
In order TO strengthen the schemes which his
fertile brain had already projected, he intro
duced into his councils Col. Benton, Senator
from Missouri; once the deadly enemy OF Gene
rial Jackson-now his ardent admircr and sup
porter BY what singular good fortune is it
or rather, under what particular dispensation
of providence is it-that this gentleman, known
for years only as a man OF moderate capacity,
and only known as such by his hostility to, and
personal rencontres with, General JACKSON, has
emerged from obscurity and buried the most
bitter hatred, and implacable hostility, at once,