Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-09-28
For The Phenia Gazette.

in our estimation, to be considered exclusive
ly in the holy keeping of MIR. Richie nor MIR.
Giles. We consider governments instituted for
the sole purpose Of producing the greatest pos
sible good to the governed. That there may be
difference OF opinion, as to means to be en-
ployed in the production of this good, we adj
nit; but there ought not, there cannot, be
difference of opinion as to the right OF doing
this good. Governments are restricted In do
ing evil; but they must have full power to 90
gooG, at any time, and under any circumstan-
ces. All governments are founded upon this
principle; and that government which is most
restricted in doing evil, is the best government.
Such is the nature of all our governmental IN
situations, that there can be no boundary, no IL
NIT to doing good. To restrict legislation in
the promotion of the general good, the :" gene
raj welfare would be worse than the most
absurd absurdities Of Richie or Randolph
This power to do good, constitutes the basis on
which the State &Federal Governments now re-
pose. But how absurd it is to be disputing about
Federal and State Rights, when no Federal or
State Right has been assaled. What right has
ever been suspended or extinguished, by the
operation of any legislative act, either Of the
Federal or State Governments, within this Uni
on? Has not the State Government Of Virgil
MIA all the rights now it ever possessed? Can
not Virginia now SO on to do all the good she
ever could have done since the establishment Of
the Federal Government? Has the Congress
sional Government ever legislated any Of her
rights out of existence? We have never heard
of any right having been thus extinguished. If
MIR. Richie, or Mr.. Giles, can show that our
rights have been curtailed, then we will make
2 noise too; but untitwe can discover some cause
for making noise we will make none. We
are absolutely certain Of the fact, that neither
Mr.. Adams, Mr.. Clay, nor Mr.. Barbour, have
ever attempted, either directly or indirectly, to
curtall any OF rights. Shall we then aid in
the expulsion of these men, to make way for
CRAFTY the malignities of a Krener, an Ingham,
a McDuffie, a Richie, Benton, and Ran
dolph? How silly" how ridiculous, to call
upon US to support such "miserable" state
of enmity Who is Mr. Adams? He is states
man and scholar. Who is Clay?--Who is
Barbour? They are sons of Virginia--they are
distinguished citizens of the United States
they are men in whom we have confidence In
a word, we see nothing in the opposition to
these men, as yet, but factional turbulence.
Had not Mr. Adams provided for deliberations
in the South American Congress, he would in
deed have deserved to have been blown " sky
highs" but we feel an interest in whatever con-
Germs America, from Hudson's Bay to the
Straits of Magellon; and Mr.. Adams has not
neglected that interest.
1t is true, there appears to be a threatened
implication of certain federal rights on the part
Of the State of Georgia; and here Mr.. Richie
may find reality to write about but in Virgil
MIA, the whole is visionary, and entirely of the
nature of the visionary theories which i'm
PEELED Mr.. Giles 10 attack en- Washington.
What is it to Mr.. Adams or the Administra-
ton whether Mr.. Giles employs white man,
or black man, to plough his fields or work in
his mills?-they both, no doubt, look on the
black population of the Southern States with
The same fearful anticipations-an why would
Mr.. Giles, in his reply to the Nottoway voters,
bring this subject within the range of his oppo-
,itional views TO the present state of the fede-
raj government? Suppose Mr.. Richie could,
by the superiority of his press, dsplace Mr..
then? Would Mr.. Jackson give
US roads and canals? or would he destroy those
we have? What advantages are we to calculate
on deriving from Mr., Jackson, that we may moi,
with the same certainty, calculate on deriving
from Mr. Adams? We know that Mr.. Jack
son is soldier; but we do not know that he is
a statesman, qualified to preside over the in
terests of this nation. We know, also, that
there is Brown, Scott, and hundred other
heroes, who "fought and bed," and who Soon
quered, in the unshetered field, troops as brave
as those who followed the heroic Pakenham.-
But this merit rewarding opposition can write
fno one, can speak of no one, nor think ofno
O,yo D,,+ IN,