Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-08-08
From the National mtel;genesy.


have been and shall be the advocates for the
perfect freedom Of debate, in Representative
Bodies, upon public concerns. Abuse Of that
privilege is less dangerous than the retrench-
ment of it. So far we entirely concur in the
observations of Gan Observer" in the proceed
ing columns.
But we differ from Gan Observer" altogeth-
er, if he supposed that the latitude of debate IN
dulged in the Senate, at the last session, comes
within any just definition of the freedom OF de-
bate. Debate on public concerns and on the
political conduct of public officers should be
free. But is il, therefore, lawful in debate to
call one man "a knave"-another "a scoundrer
another "a fool"--and to do so, moreover,
with entire irrelevance to the question in hand!
Our correspondent will surely not maintain,
that, under this notion offre debate, mem
Der of Congress is to be permitted irresponsl-
bly, TO take away the good name of any and ev-
cry one who has incurred, by whatever chance,
his i'll will. Our opinion is, that there was
great abuse Of the freedom Of debate in the Sen
ate last winter, and that the Senate has gained
no character by permitting II. How 1t should
| have been checked, we admit, is question oil
more difficulty, upon which we will not enter
the discussion having fallen into much ADLER
hands.
The inuendo at the close Of the letter of"An
Observer" seems to US 10 be unjust to the par
" concerned We do not see, in the re2ro5a-
tion Of the fragrant abuse of debate, any thing
like an attempt 10 revive the arguments in Ia
yor of the sedi,ion law. Ifany particular error
is to characterize the present Administration,
our correspondent may be assured 1t will not be
in the shape of an abortive attempt to control
1 IL. .L,o poTYt
If there could be error in directly opposite pol
icy; this Administration, from what we have
observed, would be more likely TO fall into 1t.
So far from defying public opinion, there APP
pears to US to be great disposition, on the part
of the Administration, to conclliate 1t.
We learn that on the passage to Liverpool
from this port, Mr.. Randolph made himself. so
exceedingly disagreeable and offensive 10 all
the passengers, that they declare they would
not again, on any account, go IN the same ship
with him. He drank rather hard, and was re-
peatedly absolutely drunk. Much OF his time
was taken up in abusing Philadelphia and It's
Quaker population, but mucn greater portion
in abusing the universal Yankee nation. Ere
Quenty ne took occasion to say, and 10 say In
language neither decorous nor delicate, that
! the ankeeS were, without tACtplioNY q haHoH
Of the greatest scoundrels in the world his
abuse of The Eastern sec ZION of the Union and
its inhabitants, was Of so gross character
as TO excite indignation and disgust His O.
pinions and feelings, says correspondent, were
promulgated. in language, coarse enough for
Billingsgate fish woman, and as strong and
offensive as any with which Cobt<tt seasons
his most bitter paragraphs.
1t was fortunate for the peace Of the vessel.
that her commander had great decision Of cha
rae ter, as well as great Kindness Of manners, &
W on the respect and esteem OF the passengers.
He soon .satish,d Mr.. Randolph, that he was
neither to be bullied nor intimidated. Not
withstanding the outrageous language and be-
haviour of Mr. Randolph, there was a feeling
Of compassion for him, which saved his person
from indignity. lem. Press
Books.-It is curious fact, that the empire
Of China was full Of books before there was one
man in Europe who could read or write.
An Irishman swearing the peace against his
three sons, thus concluded his affidavit, "and
this deponent further saith, that the only one
Of his children who showed him any real flial
affection, was his youngest son Larry, for he ne
ner struck him ,chen he uas dOl0n."
The following is an inscription on a sign
board at Crowle, in Lincolnshire:--" Bibles,
backballs, and tier, testaments, tar, and trea
Gle, godly books, and gimblets sold here"