Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-10
WEDNESDAY,, MAY 10, 1926,
TO N. Editors ofMe Phenir Gazette:

To the Editors of the Phenir Gazette:
To the People of the United States, oeep.
" interested, not only in the administration OF
their affairs, but also, in the true and faithful
discharge of the duties attached TO the situation
of every officer concerned in, or connected with,
the General Government, address myself, ask
ine only calm & patient hearing, and deliberate
decision upcn what have to say. No apology
can be necessary, when l shall have been under
.too6-none can be expected, when |, as exhi-
bi,ed in nv writings, am distinctly known
NV object is simply to awaken them to an ex-
animation of the events OF their own times
and if in doing this am obliged to address my
self 10 individuals who are prominent IN the
transactions Of the day, TO drag them with all
their deformities from the darkness In which
thew have enveloped themselves hold them up
TO the detestation, scorn & adherence oil Soeie-
~. no assurance of mine can make my motives
better understood, or more Justly appreciated,
than the intelligence and integrity oil those who
read and examine my course VIII attribute 70
me. have looked on upon the course ofevents
for a.few years past, with increasing interest,
and as each new scheme Of ambition and dan
eerous intrigue has developed itself, In COM
mon with all those who look beyond the surface
of things and the present time, have telt my
Judgment revolt at the daring with which these
projects have been prosGcuted-the talent win
which they have been formed--and the proba-
bic consequences in which they may result
In the election of the present Chief Magistrate,
am imaginary difficulty and improperly has been
made the basis of some of their schemes, which
time has not vet exposed; but which every man,
wbo can form his opinion from the actions OF
men. and not from their professions, understands
and breads. If in that election the constitution
has been infringed; ifthe Representatives OF the
Peoole-tbeir Electors in the last resort--have
transcribed their powers; then there may be
some plausible foundation for the various de-
Signs. and the bitter animosities originating In
il. But this is not the case; and no man, hold
;np the language and station of a gentleman,
dare now attempt 10 sustain the contrary posi-
ton. care not, now that the opposition to
the present administration, which has been CO.
npula,ine alb ovo, and is fully organised care
nothing for the motives Of its projectors, nor
the objects thew originally had in yiew.-Fae-
,;ous men will be found in all ages, ready to
.,en, the curren, of public opinion, and by per-
.everinp labor, which, devoted to remove the
DISTRACTIONS from its course, would secure them
honorable fame, they may succeed in diyerting
N
monuments in the history Of their country, OF
prostituted talents and unprincipied ambition
No wonder then that in our day men have been
found base enough to enlist splendid talent
and ardent devotion, under the tiaring name OF
the constitutions friends to cheat the senses Of
the people, and blind their eyes to the view OF
the erossness Of their practices, and the secret
though constant frittering away OF some oil that
constitutions most glorious characteristics
IT, then. as aver it to be, and now promise
10 show to every man whose senses are not
STEPPED in the poison Of party excitement, the
Constitution has been preserved in its utmost
vipor in the election of our present Chief Ma
sistra,e, il becomes the duty Of every good citi-
zen TO acqnesce in the choice already made, I'M
til some act of the incumbent warrants him in
Withdrawing his support, and calls Tor his oppo-
sition. The poison OF party excitement did
saw. Yes, / meant so. know that>the spirit
of party is supposed to fan the flame OF liberty,
by keeping alive that thirst Of knowledge, that
interchangeable ardor of investigation, into the
conduct and measures of government-that vi
sorous and stern opposition TO the encroach-
ments Of power--and that active interest, in all
which concerns society, which are the life and
soul of social order.--And this is the case. But
it mus, originate in truth and patriotism; pro-
coed upon principle; be guided by honor, intel
ligence and virtue. Depart from these, and it
degenerates into the most disgraceful perseeu-
tion-becomes the subservient tool Of ambition
and fostering all the evils, it tramples upon
the excellencies by which it should be charac-
terised-We are led away by phamom.-
Prejudice, hatred to an individual, all our mean
est and worst passions, or what is far more in
furious than all these, embracing the future as
well as the present in its ruinous consequences,
an Unsuitable thirst of power, usurP the place of
moral interest To attain popular applause,
popular favor, and the power Of popularity, am
bitionwill stoop to the depths Ofdegredation-
prostitute honor--braye the opinion Of the good,
and sacrifice his country on the shrine Of his
idoIatry. But TO return-Ours is, or should en-
pbatiealy be, government of measures; and by
these. and these alone, the conduct of an adj
ministration should be judged, as it COMFORTS
with the dignity Of the government, and con-
duces to the happiness ofthe people governed.
II is too late, after the chair is once constitu-
tionally filed, to talk Of the man-of what he
has done-of the history of his life-of various
transactions in which he has been engaged-of
the intellectual character time has developed in
him: i, is vain and idol to talk OF the man who
u &