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

From the Lynchburg Yirginanr
Parties.-It is subject of serious regret tina
parties in free Commonwealth, whether form
ed to vindicatc ard establish certain PRINCIPLES
or for the more ignobe object Of promoting the
ambition Of certain individuals, should deem IL
not only necessary, but fair, TO deyiate from no..
norabIe measures, and to adopt any course, how
ever sinister and base, 10 accomplish their end
That this is the avowed creed by which many
individuals are, at this day, actua,ed, there is
not the shadow of doubt SO far from its be-
ing doubtful, many boldly avow that sails fnJ|
in politics." that there are no means so base
which they have not right to employ; no mea.
sures so dishonorabe which they have not
right to adopt; no path so dirty which they
have not right 10 pursue, to effectuate their
purpose. Our creed is different, If we canno:
build up the cause we espouse, but by Islander.
ing the highest officers of government, and the
most gifted men of the country, then let the
cause perish. Principles or men who owe thel 4
triumph 10 such means, must lack intrinsic
merit, and are unworthy of support. fOficeTs
of government, or gifted individuals, however
are guilty Of derelectons Of principle or indie
corous conduct, then it is the right and the SO'I
lemn duty Of the press 10 express its decided
disapprobation. If such has not been our
course, it has been because we had not power loI
discriminate between right and Wong, or be
cause we have been beset by the most uncon
querable prejudices. five were singular ntns
former respect, we are not in the last: and l, Is
well that we are not; for Prejudice, if not the
mother, is the nurse of improvement, and los
ters if il does not suggest the noblest achle''
ments of the head and heart. 81" (says Mrs
Barbauld, as quoted by .he last No. OF the y
A. ReuieW, "If it were possible that one who's
generation could be brought up without preJa.
dices, the world must return to the infancy Oh
knowledge, s. all the beautiful fabric which has
been built up by succe ssive generations mus
be begun again from the very foundation -
Ii being undeniable, therefore, tina, all men pos'
sess pre- JUDGES, and that they are useful in TIE
abstract, we have only to regret that they're
quentIy become perncious by exercising an ur
contests, more particularly, do they have lns
injurious tendency, leading astray men OF 'h'
best hearts and soundest minds, in common
with the untceling demagosue and The suPr!a
cial egotist.
And, after all, what is accomplished by thes-
contests, that we should be so ambitious "a
plunge into them, and SO eager to triumph! 10
nine cases GU, often, if the heart was tad bare
and it motives were scanned would II mol az
pear that they parlake more Of a personal Ihan
political character? Would il not appear ina
the combatants were fighting Cor Cggal anG
Pompey rather than Rome and ciUI liberty! VI :"
the political contests which the short hisIo'l
OF this country records, how many have oe''
productive of the subversoD Of one obnoz!ou'
or the establishment Of one beneficial principe
The republican party refer with pride TO In'
revolution Of '9s, and its consequences. d.
WheH are its consequences now? They d.
known only in the memory Of the past I"''
revolution was the effect Of struggle Det"eF"
two parties nearly balanced in strength, con-
menced with the view of determining by VIA
rule the constitution should be conslIueu
Whether it meant any thing or nothing? W" m'
Their, in fine, ii should be Construed Iittra"i1
leaving to the States the right to exercise a.
powers no, "erpressty granted" TO the iedera.
government? Or whether, according to u.
views of the then existing administration
might be moulded 10 suit the convenience o.
necessity Of the times--givng to the genealIS
government the right of doing any thing whl'