Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-09-28
From the Lgnchburg Trginiaa.
JOHN C.. CALHOUN

litical Belial of his day, and the laleyrand OF
his country. According to my apprehension
of his character, there is no public functlonary
in our country so entirely unworthy OF popular
confidence as John c. Calhoun! Endowed by
nature with mind of great splendour & force
possessed of most plausible and inslnuatlng
address; withal crafty, intriguing, unprincipled,
and determined on self promotion at whatever
cost to his own reputation, and the interests OF
his country, there is no man living more capa-
BILE than he of uniting honest, but unsuspecting,
men in support of schemes whose fair exterior
wears the guise of disinterested patriotism,
whilst the inward spirit that informs them IS
one of calculating sefshness and corrupt ambl-
ton. The present pitiable condition OF his
public character, compared with its former
Brightness. affords striking and affecting ex-
emplihcation of the ruinous consequences which
must ever flow from the inordinate indulgence,
of spirit of self-ag grandizement in a country
like ours, whose frame ofgovernment, and con-
stituton Of society, render patriotism the high
est and most estimable, because it is here the
most essential, of all the social virtues. In the
earlier stages Of his public course, Mr. C.. was
considered, and perhaps justly, the brightest or
nament of our Congress, and the pride OF his
country.--In l8ll-l2, that period Of sore dis
tress for the republic, with eloquence almost
Demosthenean, he asserted the rights of his in
suited country, and awakened spirit OF deter.
mined opposition to British encroachments,
which eventually impelled our best and wisest
patriots 10 submit our destinies to the fearful
experiment ola war with the most powerful ma
ton on earth Throughout this contest, he re-
manned firm and consistent, and gave his cordi-
al and efficient support TO every measure de-
signed to sustain the honor of our arms, and
bear our country gloriously and triumphantly
through the war. Then, J. c. Calhoun, un-
mindful of SELF stood for his country, and snail
ed her colours 10 the mast" and grateful peo-
pie admired and rewarded: now, J. c. Calhoun
regardless of his country, stands for himself, *
discerning people will drive him with scorn
from their service. Indeed, from the point Of
time at which the Presidency of these United
States; by the extinction Of the revolutionary
line of incumbents, became prize, to the pos
session OF which he considered himself entitled
to aspire, his character seems to have under
gone thorough revolution. DaZzled by the
sblendour ofthe highest Office, and naturally ar
dent and enthusiastic, his mind Is now occupl-
ed, and his soul engrossed, with the alEengul-
phlng-all- absorbing desire to clutch the Teins
of government. The Gale quid immensum que
infnitum" of the Roman Orator never stimulat
ed him more intensely and increasingly, than
does the lofty aspiration of our Vice President
urge him forward in his wild career OF factlous
opposition and political desperation. He acts
in reference to the Presidential office as though
he had said TO himself, 'On yonder height
my highest and fondest hopes are placed,
and resolved am on reaching its summit Of
surprising elevation; or falling irrecoverably in
the face Of men and angels" He is, indeed,
playing desperate game for Office, which, if it
should not, and all men believe that II cannot
result in the accomplishment of his wishes,
must hurl him as far from his goal,
GAS from the centre thrice to the utmost pole'
A generous and legitimate ambition among
our countrymen deserves encouragement rather
than repression. The love Of honorable fame
is not fault, for ii leads TO the performance Of
great and glorious actions. The ancients, in
the enthusiasm of their devotion, denominated
ambition "the vice nearest 10 virtue, 1.-THE
last inhrmity of noble minds!" And in later
times it has been said with considerable felicity,
''That, when men aspire,
'"l'is buta spark too much ofheavenly fire."
But the ambition here described and extenua-
ted, is an elevated ambition, which, in the pur-
suit of its high aims-ils "noble ends"-Dever
stoops to the employment of base or unworthy
means. In word, it is an ambition, which,
though in some cases, il impels its votary
''To swim to Empire thro' the purple flood"
yet never permits him TO grope his way thither,
thro' the dark mazes of intrigue and corruption.
In the outset of the recent Presidential con-
test, the'Vice President, unmindful of his own
youth, and regardless of the superior claims
of his competitors, determined to take his
chance for the Presidency. And, at this point
OF his public history, are we to date the COM
mencement ola course of corrupt and tactious
intriguing, without its parallel in the annals of
our country, and which, in its recent results,
has seriously affected the character of the ma
ton, and derogated from the dignity offs coun-
ellis. Mr.. c. however, soon discovered the ut
ter hopelessness Of the adventure; and, after
procuring by management, State nomination
or SO, found himself compelled to make an
open REIMBURSEMENT of his pretensions. Hors
du combat himself, and believing if Mr.. Craw-
ford succeeded, that, at the expiration of his
term of service, the claim of the North to fur
nish a successor would be urged with irresisti-
bic force, MI. Calhoun early avowed his oppo-
si,ion to Mr. Crawford, and sent in his adhesion
70 Mr. Adams Tn this shirt he commenced