Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-03-15
From, the National Journal, March, 10.


We scarcely know whether to give way most
to sorrow or 10 indignation when we reflect TOR
a moment on the tone which has been recently
adopted by the leading prints Of the Opposition;
a tone in which personal malice entirely o6lite-
rates every trace OF principle, and talsehood and
misrepresentation completely overPowers every
whisper of truth and candor. Desperate indeed
must be the cause which has been ushered into
existence under such auspices and is supported
by such means. Ignoble, below all parallel In
the history of our country, must be the agents
who can conspire to produce public distrust and
distress, for the sole purpose OF administering
either to feelings Of malignity. or 10 purposes
of ambition. 1t is our lot, however, to be cast
upon times when, in the performance OF our
duty we owe TO our conscience and our country,
we have to be pitted in conflict with such a
-nepezredIy have we pointed out 10 our read
ers the materials of which the present Opposi-
ton is composed. The great party principles
which once divided the nation have been melt
ed down in the erucible Of faction, and the new
amaIgamation which has been poured forth thro'
all the channels of political society, is base
and poisonous mixture, which retains all the
acrimony, without any ofthe virtue ofits origin
al ingredients. Principles nave entirely disap-
peared, and the substitute which is set up in
their room, contains nothing which can COM
meme i! to the virtuous in politics, the sound in
judgment, or the proved in consistency.
Scarcely had the present Chief Magistrate
assembled the Executive Chair, when standard
was uufurled, around which the disappointed
and disconnected of every shade and diversity
Of character, rank, and opinion, might rally, to
enter Oh crusade, in which nothing was 10 be
dreaded from failure, while every thing was TO
L. r
conhic, which has subsequently commenced, is
that Of the politicians who have waged it-wild
and reckless and rancorous; alien from princi.
pie, and urged by determination to pursue vic
tory over the broken tranquility, and desolated
interests Of the country. The peace, the hap.
pipess, the prosperity Of the country, must be
assailed to contribute to the plumber of the few.
The two years which have elapsed since the
Inauguration of the present Executive, have
been devoted by this mongrel Opposition to the
completion Of their design, and the organiza-
ton Of their strength. Their efforts to sap the
public confidence in Mr.. ADAMS, a man who
has spent long life in the beneficial service af
his country, and xho is proudly elevated in the
esteem and affection Of the nation, have been
combined and uDremnted. Adopting them
selves the very vices which they have charged
on the Administration, they have drugged the
fountains of public information with falsehood
and calumny; and finding the established pres
ses Of the country, with some few exceptions,
too pure to be made their serviIe instruments,
have, with an ill-direcled industry, created new
organs through which Misrepresentation and a.
busa may be freely and Aippantly discoursed
throughout the Union.
Among the old presses which have exhibited |
SO much subserviency of principle, such an easy
versatility Of course and character, as to COME
derate themselves with the coalition now array.
ed against the Administration Of Mr.. ADAMS,
we find the Richmond Enquirer venting its sub
tie and splenetic paragraphs with all its usual
adroitness. more than its usual venom, but less
than its usual effect In every instance in
which great public measures have been either
procrastinated or defeated by the Opposition in
Congress, we fud the Editor Of that print. for
se,ful OF his obligations as citizen and an E.
1itor, sneering and chuckiing at the anticipa-
ion of the endorsements to the country
which may ensue. The sphere of his patriotism
s bounded by the circle of his new political as.
ociations: beyond that limited horizon, he sees {
10 country, he owns no tie, no duty, no attach
nent. Il
In order that our readers may understand the ],
gency Of misrepresentation which is used by Il
his print, and those which take the cue from {
Is columns, we extract a few passages. Refer :,