Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-26
From the Constitutional Wing.

federal party. Now proper eoa"'e'
,h;s would be Mr.. r s secession from the re-
nnbl;can party-and about the same time II
would be curious enquiry to trace all the mo
go. If this regeneration. He claimed the
nr;ne;nal credit for that great change which
w.s Effected in the political parties he no
Jomh, fought the battle well. But when Mr..
jefferson came into the Administration, ne did
no, invite Mr.. Randolph into his cabinet or his
councils. He did not select him for foreign
su,bossy. There was no point OF union between
them. Mr.. Randolph was not qualified 10 nil
anv department of the Government; and from
the character of his mind, his temper, his va
n;,v. and his ambition, he was utterly Incom-
peten, to any high place Of trust or confidence
He. however, for sake Of appearances and con-
sistencv, adhered for some years-out wheh
difficulties threatened the republican ranks
when conflict with the two great powers Of
Europe menaced us, and the federal party were
enabled to press with greater force upon tue
republican administration-in their utmost neea
he bolted. He was successfully opposed 10 all
measures proposed-embargo, non-intercouse'
or war. He was then for a mastery snacfic'fy'
for letting things alone. Shall we retire from
the ocean5 shall we resist? Nei,her-do nothing.
And all the measures that have been suggested
since, for 90 years; all the men VINO proposed
them; all the republican members OF The sue,
cessiye administrations, have been violently ana
virulently opposed. He has abused MIR. Jeffer,
son, Madison, Monroe, and all the members oil
their cabinets, ever since; and Will continue
through life to Willy every man who is seen a.
boye the horizon. He is beast OF prey, seek
ing whom he may devour: he feeds on charae'
ter-he pursues virtue in its retreat, and talent
wherever it appears--nothing escapes-wrh
the eve o. the hawk, and the voracity OF the IT,
ger. he hunts down those whom he selects Tor
ners.cu,ion. With taste that never clogs,
and an 40 petite that never loaths, he gluts his
vengeance and gorges his malagnity-" not tired
of the lash, but eager of the men,"
Mr. Adams had never been connected with
the parties which divided this country-he had
been abroad When he came into the Senate
he acted generally with the representatives OF
the North. Upon constitutional questions he
was rather restrictionist. But when England
and France were destroying the commerce OF
our coun,ry-when the Chesapeake had been
wantonly attacked-when a citizen had been
killed in New-Yofk by the insolence and outcry
of British Officer-when Norfolk was me-
high degree Of public excite
ment every where prevailed-Mr. Adams, par
taking of that feeling to high degree, gave up
all local and sectional pre- udices, all party con-
nections-he sacrificed them, and all Tor the
country, TO take part in such measures as that
country might devise Tor the common safety
Mr.. Adams moved first in Boston, openly--and
against the opinion of the federal party tie
was not INDUCED with town meeting in Fa-
neuil Hail. He called the people together In
the great common OF Boston. He there adj
dressed tn. people in a bold strain Of indigna-
ton against the conducI Of England and endea-
rored 10 rouse the people to sense OF ,ne pup
lie wrongs, He created high tone OF patri-
olic feeling. His resolutions were carried oy
the reclamation of three thousand people This
was appealing 10 old revolutionary recoilections.
1t did not fail to movc.-These things must
be remembered by the people OF Boston. Let
Mr.. Adams resolutions on that occasion be re-
ferred to: they will be found worthy of the best
days of the Republic. Men acting then from
mere motives of party, thought it a favorable
TO press the Republican Administra-
ton. They did press. But for what? 10 di-
vide the people-disturb the country-to carry
dread and dismay into the Caoinet-to destroy
public confdence-to regain their lost power
TO put down the dominant party. This was IL
mited, perhaps, 10 a few violent Federalists; 10
those who afterwards formed the Hartford Con-
vention. And some of these men might have
deemed any means Unsuitable Gas it is now said
Tor similar purpose) 10 put down the Adm-
nistration. But it was not the prevailing senti-
nent even of that party. The Committee OF
Foreign Relations. IN their report in 1903, say
hat 81. may not be useless that every foreign
,ation should understand, that It's aggresslons
will never be justified or encouraged by any des-
.rip,ion of American citizens. For, the Qucs-
ion for every citizen now is, whether he will
ally around the Government of his own choice,
,r enlist under foreign banners-whether he is
or his country or against his country" When
his country was insaIed on her shores-when
Ter commerce was destroyed-when war with
,ne or both of the beligerents, or submits
sion, was the only alternative-what became
he duty Of the citizen and patriot? 10
-auge himself alongside OF those who meant
10 make common cause against a common enc
nv. At that moment, MIR. Adams, sacrificing
ali considerations of personal popularity, a
sainst the opinion of all the leading men of
Boston, and all their influence, did openly at
tempt, before public meeting, to rouse the
spirits Of the country. Let that speech and
the resolutions Of that day speak for him
they will he found to contain none but Ameri.
can sentiments Of the highest tone. In these
Mr.. Adams felt it his duty TO
give to the Administration all the moral force
Of united opinion, and all the strength which
confidence imparts. He then determined not