Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-02-14

lions. cannot express to you the pain which
this unfaithful version and betrayment OF pri-
yate conversation has given me. feei what
it will add to tire disfsvor had incurred with a
large portion of the legislature by my strenu-
Gus labors for the establishment OF the Oniver-
sity TO which they were opposed, insomuch as
10 let il overweight whatever OF satisfaction tor
mer services had given them. ! am so sure Of
the future appreciation Of posterity and OF the
ines.imable effect we shall have produced in
the elevation of our country, by what we have
done, as tina, cannot repent of the part have
borne in cooperation with my colleagues
discam the honors which this writer (among
the other errors he has interlarded with the
truths of his letrers) has ascrbed to me of hav-
ing made liberal donations of timber and stone
from my own estate, and oil having paid all the
contracts for materials myself, and restore
them to their true source, the liberal legislators
Of our country. My pain at these false prai-
ses and representations should merit with Them
an acquittal Of any supposed appreciation OF
them by myself. Yours, sc. sc
THOMAS JEFFERSON"
We were somewha, at a loss, whether to-
publish the article on which Mr. ]. comments
Bu' it confirmed some interesting statements,
and it had had very general circulation MIR.
] denies, as we expected, one OF the assertions
of the writer. Those papers which have pub
lished the article, ought TO give equal publ
city to the contradiction Richmond Eng.
From the .ArieL
What can be more deplorable to sensitive
mind than to behold wreck Of human reason!
10 see learning and talents at once Frustrated at
the shrine of dissipation, and manly beauty sa-
crificed 10 loathsomeness and disease. Who
can, without horror, contemplate the eminence
from which some noble spirits have been hurled,
and the degenerate state in which they live and
die Some who have been born and educated
to FIJI honorable stations in society, and by their
good conduct have acquired that rank TO which
they are Justly entitled, have all at once become
the victims of imprudence, and sunk to depth
of degradation disgusting in the extreme. That
laudable ambition which elevates man above
the brute creation is completely annihilatedd and
every noble idea and every honorable feeling ah-
sorbed. Drunkenness is its own tormenlor,
and carries its punishment along with it; for no
drinking man, however splendid his talents,
however great his requirements, or deep his
research, can ever arrive at eminence in any
profession; it paralzes its own exertons and
DESTROYS the confidence Of others. Who would
trust important business to mnd-manS one in
toXicated is mad, he has no reason, or ii he
has any, il is like dream or vision Of another
time.
In the year 1909, became acquainted with
young man Of respectable standing. He was
merchant, and an honorable one; none stood
farcr in point Of credit or character. He fire.
quented none but the best society, and by them
his company was sought after, his opinions re-
spected, and the more experienced yielded TO
his Judgment. In fine, few men in society stood
a fairer chance to gain the apex of popularity
than did young Id. BY sudden reverse
of fortune, (not an act Of his own) he saw him
self dispossessed Of a splendid store, by the
achery of partner, and himself thrown pen
nyless on narrow world. The ephemera that
rioted in the rays of his sun ofprosperity, skunk
away at the night of adversely, and not con-
soling friend remained 10 pour the oil Of COM
fort into his distracted and lacerated bosom
To add to the poignancy of this modification,
an amiable and virtuous girl, who was about
to throw herself into his arms, was induced, by
her more prudent parents, to marry another
All these things served to accomplish the work
of destruction, and he'became devotee TO the
bottle. One false step, almost invariably pro-
duces another-and he not only became sot,
but lost all relish for deeency. He Stunned his
former associates; it in fact conveyed pang
nearly allied to destruction, when recalled by
the sight Of an old acquaintance, to the recol-
lection of his former responsibility He left
Natchez, and became private soldier.
| was one evening" in the month OF February,
1916, sitting in my little shop in New-Orleans,
contemplating the fluctuations Of the murky RI
yer before me, which was roaring with an east
ern gale: indeed was deeply engaged in tao't,
and fancy waited me back to former days, so
fondIy cherished, to the chequered path OF life
ha trod, the variegated fortunes had expe-
rienced, and had just concluded that was a
mong the most unfortunate of mortals, when
a tall, manly looking soldier, stepped up and
asked me for some refreshments arose with
aacrity to comply with his wishes, for ever
felt Willingness to contribute TO the wants Of
the veteran who fights for his country's honor
He offered me payment, which, of course, was
refused AT that moment, beneath the soldiers
garb, recognized my former acquaintance H.
This recognition was matter oil mutual aston
ishment-for little did dream that the elegant
and accomplished II. would ever become
common soldier. My conscience then accused