Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-21

cQDfQf7lS
as. yes; and before we want to go out TO ngnt :
battles. Is there necessity 10 90 either %
these? Is it consistent with the poltlcai Pri''-
ciples, or for the benefit OF Virginia to iuf'nes
| the accomplishment Of either OF these designs;
From the solemn expression oil ner WISHES a"N
sentiments the last election, l canho. aoP
pose she can vote for either without Tue io'' -
her virtue. Has either OF these men oeei. wi"
verted from the error of their ways! ~ :. nv.
so. Pause, Virginia, pause!ere you TAX g e''ne'
course. Examine well the expeai0e.hey' ioi'
cesssity there is none OF voluntarily Ven.u''ns
ON this I" narrow isthmus, OF attempting
mass above this tremendous guiph on coo"eo'
What is the great, the inestmaole, the ois'ih-
onisbing characteristic OF our system OF govern
ment-lhe palladium OF our llnerieS-'he ARK
of our political salvation! II is not tue ",e'e
expression in written constitutions, tnat rulers
are The servants of the people-that they shall
not concert, determine, or do what they may
nudge beneficial or injurious to the people, or
NAV nish, or please to do, but SHALL In all things,
execute neither, more nor less. in their official
capacities, than they are directed 10 do by the
people, in the special written powers OF attor-
ney, the. Constitution Of the States ofthe Uni
ted Slates-the highest acts of sovereign autho-
rity, but it is the solemn, punctual, inflexible
aud certain enforcement Of this great principle
of self.government by the people, whose only
safeguard is taken away; whose highest act OF
sovereignty is SET at nought; whose deliberate
will is disregarded; whose rights and liberties
are endangered, whenever public servant, un-
der any pretext whatsoever, does either, more
or less, than is prescribed for him to do.
Take away this enforcing will or power from
the people, and where is the limit where is the
boundary to those invested with authority
There would be none. All the minor mechan-
ism of our democratic systems Of government
elections for short periods the separation OF le-
gisla,ive, judicial and executive duties; the
instruction OF representatives; the Responsible
ty OF public servants; all restrictions and llml-
tations, and the sanctions of these provisions,
have been framed to guards carry into effect this
principle, or to prevent, or punish It's violation
The greatest political crime that can be COM
mitted against the rights and liberties Of the
human race, is the violation Of this principle.
It's rape committed by the lust Of power on the
Goddess Of Liberty. No matter what may be
the qualifications of apubc servant; no mat
ter what may have been his services; no matter
what may be his pretensions to patriotism; no
matter what may be our gratitude and conf
dence in the rectitude Of his intentions; no mat
ter what crowns of civic or martial glory may
WREATH his brow, let no such man be trusted
No matter what may be his expressions OF de-
votion to the people; no matter what cant cap
,andums of "people's candidate" or "ad-
ministration's candidate" political parlizans
may attach to his name, should he commit
this crime, though he should seek shelter be-
IL e ,Iap ,hn @l,o-
riot-whees of Mars, they should not protec:
him from the indignant frowns OF his injured
country Should liberty be less dear to us than
Lucretia TO the Romans? Even the Iarqulns
had performed some merilorous actions, and
for these deserved the gratitude OF Rome
They had parlizans 10 praise them, and good
men 20 support their pretensons, and brave
men TO fgh, for them. But the virtuous and
patriotic spirit Of Brutus fixed the souls OF his
countrymen. The violaters were expelled, and
Rome was free--was free, till the splendid MI
liiary achievements OF Caesar and the gratitude
of Rome, bound her again 10 the charlot-wheels
of Warrior, who had deserved well OF his
country. The elder Brutus had assembled IN
the fiery car of glory, but his spirit like the
mantle of the prophet, descended on the young
err Brutus He also hath been translated But
on whom hath descended the mantle OF his spl-
rit to heal the waters?"
shall not condescend to canvass the argu'
ment of oestowing Offices created for the hene-
fiji of the people, from sense Of gratitude tor
past services. Let the people, if'they will, re-
aoard the public servant who has deserved we'll
of his country, with praises and with pensions,
ifthe consciousness Of having performed his
duty, and the enjoyment of its advantages, In
common with his fellowmen, are not enough.
But let them. no, offer up their liberties as a
burnt offering on the altar of gratitude. Let
them not lay violent hands on their political
Isaac, when the ram caught by the horns and
ready for the sacrifice, is pointed out to them,
by messenger from Heaven.
Am told that the authority and the example OF
the venerated dead sanction the principle o.
Gratitude to the man who raises his country's
glory TO its pinnacle? And that our greatest
military chipftain was the first executive officer
Of these United States, elevated TO the P"esi-
dental Chair, both by the deserved gratitude
of his countrymen and his own distinguished
abilities 10 dischage lis important duties! No
authority but tina, of reason; no example, but
tina, productive Of good, weighed with the mind
of the Roman Cato; nor should they with that
of the Virginan. However strongly ms feelings
Of gratitude, of veneration, Of admiration, may