Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-14

due r.rtv triumphed. Jefferson and literal
ls acrion--retrenchment and economy
cons The order Of the day. But, though these
s ',.s, notes long sounded inthe nations ears,
au Ittle time were their practical effects felt.
oo '.eev had the reins o. power changed hand 5
In Mr. Jefferson gave his sanction 10 the
"cnnso, WY Road bill, thus leading the way
rast mowers now claimed and exercised
% he federal government: We are aware that
p ~, said. on the faith of Mr.. J's reported
n,.rlara,ion, just before his lamented death, that
Aid not intend to recognize the general potc-
when he signed that bill; but that it was
'rrsd because good faith'to Ohio required it,
20, ,he necessity arose from the compact be-
'"sen that state and the general government.
,sJsedi What right had the general government
:" sn,er into compact with Ohio the fulhlment
(which required a violation ofthe constitution?
s,..s,v Il is as censurable to make contract,
~ ,he execution Of which wrong is necessa-
~ :,s nvolyed, as il is to do that wrong without
~ compulsion Of such contract. And there
care the "eeneral power" was, an effect, conce-
ADJ by Mr.. ]. whatever were his intentions
NJ his motives But. we would ask, en- pasSant,
,,helber the power 10 repair this road, was also
s.r;ved from the Ohio compact We fancy not
However all this may be, we have seen, at
,,,er period, another republican administration
0resided over, too, by the author OF the famous
Virginia '9S Resolutions, exercising power
chose wide sweep embraced more extensive
and more important oper atoms than all the
;0royations Of all the administrations that have
s,creeded. We have seen MIR. Madison place
h;s name to the u. S. Bank law, with capital
ofS3oOOO, 900, when, too, the old Bank (the ca
oi,al Of which was only $4,000, oOo,) was made
anowerful engine in overturning the Adams
administration! Bring forward the state OF the
country, if you please, TO justify the act-tell
rs ofthe pecuniary difficulties with which the
goyernment and people were surrounded-but
ne nature of the act IS mol altered The princi-
nes of the revolution Of '98 were sacrificed to
sxpedency-and, backed by these authorita-
i've presidents, as well as upheld bv the fire.
outntly expressed will of the peoples represen-
,aliyes, the general government has continu-
ed. 10 violate them until, In relation TO the
construction Of the constitution, the nation finds
itself now precisely at the point where ii start
ed from when the hue and cry was raised a.
yainst the elder Adams We ask again, there
fore, with emphasis, why should men so eager
lyenler into party contests, even when principle
is inyolyed, seeing that this is 10 be the reward
Of their labors? We, really, can sec no reason
init, except we refer it entirely to personal con-
siderations. Least Of all, can we see any ground
for opposition 10 the measures OF the present
administration, under present circumstances.
Those who are the most jealous against Mr..
Adams tell us that it is to bring the govern
msnt back to the plain, economical, democrat
&c doctrines of the good old Jeffesonian era!
Indeed, sirs! Who is your leader in this work
Of reform! Have you another Jefferson 10 head
you! Another Jefferson, with energy TO prose
cute what his comprehensive mind may sug-
gesi! 1t is not surely designed to insult the
good sense Of this nation by saying that An
drew Jackson is your chieftain! II it be, we can
only say that you profess to labor in a good
cause, but your professions are hypocritical and
unsound, and your labor will be vain: for The
nation knows that his opinions in relation 10 the
great point at issue are those of the present in
cumbent-that heis equally as greata latitudina-
rlan as MIR. Adams, and chat he will be surround
ed in his Cabinet by those who have long rem
dered themselves conspicuous by their bold en-
dsavors TO break down all the barriers 10 CONSOLE
dation. No. The present contest is not one OF
pinciple--it is one of mea--and even OF that
worst kind Of contests, it is of the worst charac
er Its designed TO pull from the helm skill
ialpilot, who has long safely conducted the ship
Of State, to trust il in strong but unprGcfiSed
hands--to substitute for the ciUifan, who is we'll
reised in affairs Of government, soldier, whose
school has been the wilderness and the camp
lis designed not only not 10 bring back the
government to the principles of 1900, but to
'nsraft on the Authoritarian principles OF pre-
Soas day, principle still more abhorrent to
republicans, and still more dangerous TO repub-
lies. 1t is designed 20 tell the youth OF our
country, in so many words, that war is the rea-
diesi road to prefermen,; that it is idle to pore
over learned tones by the midnigh: lamp, to &C
CURE a knowledge Of the principles OF govern
@enl; that, la SO doing, they are IDLY vast
nns their time and exhausting their energies,
since, no matter how well they may become
qaalihed to serve and ornament their country,
'Aey have but feeble chance of success against
warrior whom fortuitous combination OF
circumstances may render victorious in the
held Of battle. We cordially depreca,e the
'one which the success Of Gen. Jackson would
give to popular feeling; and sincerely hope that
mere is yet good sense and prudence enough
existing among the people to induce them TO
rSard the Civilian with civil honors, and to
reserve for the soldier tie sictor's wreath.
Gi\NiNsS y,etter pNNeY.