Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-09-18

pose Of buying up portions OF the community:
A spirit Of Instrumentation is abroad. With some
condemnation, right or wrong, lis the order oil
the day. No matter what prudence and WIS
dom may stamp the measures OF the Admins.
tration; no matter how much the prosperity OF
the country may be advanced, or what pubic
evils may be eyerted, under its guidance, there
are persons who would make general, indlscrl-
inmate, and interminabe opposition
This is not fit occasion, nor perhaps am
fit person, to enter upon vndication OF It's
measures But hope shall be excused Tor
asking what measures of domestic policy has
been proposed or recommended by the present
Executive, which has not its prototype In
the previous acts or recommendations or
Administrations at the head OF which was
citizen Of Virginia? Can the liberal and
high minded people Of this State condemn mea-
surcs emanating from citizen of Massachu-
sets, which when proposed by a Virglnian COM
manded their express assent or silent acqules-
cenoe, or 10 which, if in any instance they made
opposition, it was respectful, limited and quail
fed? The present Administration desires only
to be Judged by its measures and invites the
strictest scrutiny and the most watchfu vigil
lance on the part Of the public. With respect
to the Panama Mission, it is true that it was not
recommended by any preceding Adminlslra-
ton, because the circumstances Of the world
were not then such as to present II as sub
iect for decision. But during that of Mr.. Mon
roc, it has been seen that it was matter Of con-
sideralion, and there is every reason TO believe
if he were now at the head OF affairs his deter
ininaton would correspond with that OF his sue
CeSsor. Let me suppose that II was the reSolu-
ton OF this country, under no circumstances to
contract with foreign powers intimate public
engagements, and to remain altogether unbound
by any treaties Of alliance, what should have
been the course taken with the very respectful
invitation which was given to the u States to
be represented at Panama? Haughtly folding
your arms, would you have given it a cold and
abrupt refusal? or would you not rather accept
it, send ministers, and in friendly and re-
spectful manner endeavor to satisfy those
who are looking to Us for counsel and exam
pie, ant initiating our free institutions, that
there is no necessity for such an alliance;
that the dangers which alone could, in the
the opinion of any one, have justified il, have
vanished, and that il is not good for them or
for us What may be the nature of the instruc-
tons with which our ministers may be charg-
ed, it is NOT proper that should state, but all
have great interests in connection with the
Southern Republics, independent of any COM
pacts of alliance Those Republics now con-
tanning population of more than 90 millions,
duplicating their numbers probably in periods
still shorter than we do, com 2rising within their
limits the most abundant sources Of the pre-
cious metals, offer to our commerce, TO our ma
nufactures, to our navigation, SO many advanta-
A. IL Of nj
tivating the most friendly relations with them.
If treaties of commerce and friendship, and IL
bera stipulations in regard to neutral and belli-
gerent rights, could be negotiated with each OF
them al its separate seat OF Government, there
is no doubt that much greater facilities Tor the
conclusion Of such treaties present themselves
al point, where all being represented, the way
may be smoothed, and all obstacles removed,
by disclosure OF the views and wishes OF all,
and by mutual and friendly explanations. There
was one consideration which had much weight
with the Executive in the decision to accept the
mission, and that was the interest which this
country has, and especially the Southern States,
in tue fate and fortunes OF the Island of Gu
ba. No subject of our foreign relations has
created with the Executive Government, more
anxious concern than that OF the condition Of
that island, and the possibility OF prejudice
to the Southern States, from the commissions
10 which it might be exposed. 1t. was be-
leved, and is yet believed, that the dangers
which in certain contingencies might threat
en- our quiet and safety, may be more success
fully averted at place, at which all the Anne
rican powers should be represented, than any
where else. And l have no hesitation in ex-
pressing the firm conviction, that il there be
one section Of this Union more than all others
interested in the Panama Mission, and the ben
e6ts which may flow from it, that section is the
South. 1t was therefore, with great and unaf-
fected surprise, that witnessed the obllquity
of those political views, which led some gentle
men from that quarter, TO regard the measure
as it might operate on the Southern States, in
an unlayorabIe light Whatever may be the
result of the mission, its moral effect in Europe
will be considerable; and it cannot fail TO make
the most friendly impression upon our South
ern neighbors. 1t is one ofwhch ii is difficult,
in sober Imagination, to conceive any possible
mischieyous consequences, and which the Exc
cutive could not have declined in my opinion,
without culpable neglect Of the interests ofthis
country, and without giving some dissatisfac-
ton 10 nations, whose friendship we are called
upon By every dictate Of policy TO conciliate.
There are persons who would impress on the
c,..lur, Ct,tac the belief that they have inst