Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-16
From the Providence (R, l. american.
From our Washington Correspondents


From our Washington Correspondent
The Opposition--It has been asserted that the
Opposition to the present administration is lac
tious and upprincipled. Every freeman In this
free nation has right, and it is his duty as wen
as right, to investigate the grounds oil this as
sertion, and freely 10 declare the result OF bis
investigation. The materials ofthe Opposition
are heterogeneous They consist Of the disap-
pointed followers Of Jackson, Crawford and Cal
boun,-men Of different politics, different OBJ
jects and conflicting interests:-"dissimili lin
qua, ct dispari gente." They have but one tie,
a common disappointment as to the result OF
the last Presidential election. They have but
one common object-to pull down the present
administration. Faction has ever been the OH
spring Of defeat, and nothing but faction could
have united in any political object the friends
Of Calhoun with those Of Crawford, or the
friends of jackson with either. The two Sena-
tors from South Carolina, and Col. Johnson
of Kentucky,are the only personal friends which
the Vice President has in the Senate. These
are the only members Of that body who will, UNI
der any circumstances, support him at the next
election. In the House, his friends are more
numerous, butaoi4n only small portion OF the
Opposition. The devoted friends OF General
Jackson, though disposed to avail themselves OF
MIR. Calhouns activity and talents, in the pro-
motion of their objects, have, ii is believed, no
wish nor intention to further his political adj
vancement Even MIR. Randolph declared, the
other day, that although, at the next election,
he should support General Jacson, yet, in the
subsequent contest between Kentucky and South
Carolina, he should stand neutral. The friends
Of Mr.. Crawford have not the least confidence
in Mr.. Calhoun. Indeed, they can have none,
for never was political warfare carried on
with such unsparing malignity, as the friends
of Calhoun, headed and directed by himself,
carried on, for three years, against that dislln-
g1ished individual. But still Mr. Calhoun is
tn chosen leader of this opposition. He is
the Agamemnon Of the league, and has devoted
himself to the common cause with all his chai-
acteristic zeal, enthusiasm and ability. His
situation, 1t is true, has prevented him from APP
pearing, openly in this character; but his exer-
tons have been no less efficient on that account.
The Opposition in both Houses have taken
their tone from him. He mingles with the
members, influences their opinions end directs
their measures. During the discussion of the
Panama question inthe secret Session, he was
every morning, closeted with the leading oPpo-
sition members, and was their confidential adj
wiser in every step of their course. Subsidiary
10 MS OBJECT was MS nONtl anu
construction Of the Rules Of the Senate, as to
questions Of order. He relished and tolerated
the abuse which was heaped on the administra-
ton and its friends, in terms which Tor gross
ness, indecency and malignity have no parallel
in our Congressional annals; and to screen him.
self from the public indignation which this
conduct excited, he has disclamed his obliga-
ton and his power to call any member to order
=, ,yhat What iS hiS raaSoniur
in support Of this disclaimer? Why, that the
exercise of the power would be an abriGg-
ment Of the freedom Ii. e. lcentiousness) Of
debate; and that, because the rules Of the
Senate do not expressly give to the Chair
the power OF calling member to order,
the Chair, forsooth, has no such power. The
, truth is, this The Constitution makes the
Vice president the presiding officer of theSen-
atre; and Incidental TO his character as pre-
siding officer, Is The power Of preserving order
and decorum in debate. This power was never
denied 10 any of Mr. Calhoun's predecessors in
the Chair, and they never failed to exercise it
moderately, but with efficiency. The members
Of the Sehate make their own rules and in max
ing these rules, they could make none either Ii
hitting or increasing, the discretion ofthe Vice
President and only such as apply to one mem:
Der in calling another to order This they have
done, and this is all they can do. They have no
power to make any rule prescribing to the Vice
President when, and in what manner, he shall
call a member 10 order Mr.. Calhoun is now
Of no more use in the Chair, than the automa-
ton Chess-player would be, and not SO much:-
for that can strike the table and shake its head
The Senate is left 10 the. mercy Of every licen-
tious babbler. There is no way in which MEM
Der can be made even 10 con6ne his remarks to
the subject under discussion. To be sure, one
member can call another to order; but, as soon
as he has reduced to writing and handed TO the
Chair the exceptionable remarks, the disorder
ly member may proceed and finish his speech
The remarks excepted to, may then be made
the foundation of resolution of censure or ex-
pulsion, and become the subject Of discussion
at future time. Meanwhile all the mischief
intended is done. This remedy, you perceive,
is altogether insufficient. The other day,
Thursday, Mr. Randolph, in the course of his
speech on Branch's Resolutions, insulted, gross
ly and directly, the whole body of the friends
Of the Administration in the Senate. Governor
Bell called him to order He was required by
the Vice President to reduce to writing those
remarks 10 which he excepted. Gov. Bell,
with aeountenance glowing with manly indig-