Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-23

Upon the eleCtlOn OIL the pfSSSDt iiSoioCbA
by The constitutional vote Of the Representa-.
lives in Congress, a momentary disappointment
among some individuals, venteditsrlfin warm,
and perhaps harsh declarations, which soon
subsided. and satisfaction began generally 10
prevail. When the gentlemen who were call
ed 10 the heads of Departments, were known,
= more spirited dissatisfaction appeared, and
then it was that Opposition was determined on
n all events To give to this Opposition form,
and substance, and yisor, was the next thing,
and one which required great skill and manage
ment.
Al SO early period, the Administration had
no, had time to deyelope itself either to COM
mand appreciation, Or to incurcensure; and,
what are called the appointments ofthe Cabi-
net. were the only subjects that could be hand
led. Those Of the Treasury and War Depart
ments were denounced, both as weak, and as
taken from the high-handed Caucus party
Those of the Navy, and ofthe Chief Law Off
GER were but little touched, except TO accompa-
nv them with some events that were attended
10 dsparage the Piesident-whilst the high ap-
pointment Of Secretary of State was NAKED out
as the theme Of boldest and nn,ired reprehen-
sion.
II is not in our country as in Great b ritain,
where the Chief Magistrate in the Government
can do no wrong, and his Ministers are answer
able for every thing; but the reverse: with us the
Heads Of Departments are the members OF the
political family of the President; they must give
him their counsel when he calls on them, and
he IS responsible for their conduct. Hence has
arisen the established custom Of criticising less
the appointments Of the Heads OF Departments
than any Others AS the President has the
whole responsibility OF their acts upon his own
shoulders il is right that he should be as little
controlled as possible In selecting the men with
whom he is 10 be thus intimately associated,
and for whom he is thus TO become exclusive
ly responsible; aud nominations, heretofore, that
were not acceptable IN the Senate, have been
acquiesced in upon that ground But this rea-
sonabis exs use did not ssii those who were plan
nng Oppositon-thelr ardor wass too impe,u.
Gus TO give way to a tardy discretion OF this
sort.
Ii has so happened, that, from the time OF
President Jefferson TO the present, the people Of
this country have uniformly selected the Secre-
tary of STATE 10 succeed the President with
whom ne acted, and who, from that circum-
stance, has been often styled, in borrowed col
loquial phrase, "lhe heir apparent I" Whether
re al fears are entertained from this established
course or whether saperstitious notion exists
in relation 10 the succession; or whether the
circumstance Of the present Secretary OF State
holding tina, office is considered as giving him
TOO prominent a standing TO succeed the pre-
sent President 10 the exclusion OF some bantlng
aspiranls are conjectures that 1t Is unnecessary
to examipe Certain 1t is, that MIR. Clay Is Pc
cuiarly beset with all the mad rawlings and the
studied hostility of the Opposition; and on these
attacks they rest much their hopes.
Impertinen, ma,ignity has uttered and rei;e-
rated the story of corrupt bargain between
the President and Secretary OF State, until 1t
begins 10 feel, from the cold disdain II now re-
ceiyes from the world, il not reproach, at least
fear tina. the SANDER will recoil. Some who
were at first surprised into the possibility ol
the thing. have, upon little reflection, be-
come disguised with the attempt; and all who
are devoid Of prejudice, now ask if there is any
station. in the gift of this Government, TO which
the established. capacity, talents, and celebrity
of MIR Clay, do not give him a fair title! II
so. can our reason, unaided even by sense OF
Justice, permitus, for moment TO suppose that
corruption had brought such man to sta
ton for which the world bears testimony OF the
eminen, fitness of his powers and his standing as
statesman. Intlis happy country OF ours, the
liberty OF speech has no limit, and traducement
and SANDER are the ordinary aids which disap-
ponlment or bad ambition use TO consummate
their designs. The temperate good sense OF
our people is our great protection. II Mr..
Lay was man OF inttrlof StaEolhB, III an re-
spects, there might have been more color OF
plausibilly on Which 10 rest this unlikely, TINS
reprehensiSle story; but universally known and
DISTINGUISHED Us he, has long been, it must be
admitted. that no President of the United States
could make an ADLER or more ftappointment.-
To recur TO corruption, as means 10 account
for ,ha, which every body must admit is no
more than a jus, tribute to merit, would be, in
deed, 10 go hunting up causes OF action with a
hardwood of inten, lite calculated to do justice
or 10 subserye truth.
The Mission 10 Panama was the hrst great
question on which The Opposition fastened last
winter, 10 bring the Presiden. into discredit
and furious and exravagant as have been the
workings Of party heretofore, such cause o.
Irrational and unius,ihable hindrance was neve'
experienced by any Government oeiore. ne
Senate long presented scene OF wanton oodu