Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-04-06
rrrom the National Journal

and the conduct they pursue. BurSh mas oe
this Gan old and vulgar error, ana
asserts tina. "nobody ever thought an opposi
lion nece ssary in private family, when tn'
heads have nothing but the good OF the 'aini!
in view" But in this country parties have eA'
isl, d almost since the Origin Of its Governments;
and il is DOT probable, from the nature OF man,
That these parties will ever entirely cease 10 e&-
ist. We are willing TO believe that, to &c
tam extent, they may not be injurious, II lhey
are not benefical but, to be so, there Is limit
beyond which they must not pass. III al oPPo-
si,ion be founded on The principles OF virtue,
the love Of country, and a hatred OF oppression
and injustice, it win be, in its nature, temperate
and firm; and dgnifed 1, will point out wilh
lenily the errors Of those who rule, and Suggest
in their stead, measures which may be thoush'
conducive to ne public happiness ana welfare
When il ttanscends this limit, II assumes the
odious character of faction, and is stimulated,
not by The impulse Of patriotism or virtue, ou'
by the base and selfish feeling OF personal a6
grandse 'ncnt or disappointed ambition. MAJ
las been the course pursued by the Opposition
| in the last Congress? And we ask the questloh
( as men wholly unprejndictd. Were measures
objected TO on the GROUND that they were o. IL
Gent in wisdom, or manifrstly calculated to
|
Ihey resisted and secuted at because they had
An obvious tendency to subvert our liberties OF
abridpe our rights, and because they would IN
eyitably lead 10 the destruction OF the adniiab!r
constitution Nv which we are governed! No,
Rat ,iiry were objected to because they emanat'
cd from those 10 whom the members OF the
OppositIon had taken up groundless dislike,
and who had been elevated 10 power constltu-
lionally but contrary TO their wishes, * certainly
not in acc ordanre with their interests. This was
ths ef VI
floor of Congress, and il was so strkingly owl
Gus that ii was scarcely deemed necessary to con-
cea il under the veil of pretended patriotism
The Administration was trammel!ed at every
step-difficuties were started objections were
urged, and resolutions offered, to impede the
progress of useful legislation, and 10 retard The
necessary operations of Government; days were
consumed in wretched and empty reviIiugs, and
nights employed in collecting materials for
new streams Of vituperalion. Almost the
whole volume Of indignation and wrath was
poured upon the President and the Secretary of
State: upon The President, because it was his
destiny TO be elected agreeaby to the letter and
spirit Of the constitution; and upon the Score
tary, for having committed the incapable
crime of assisting 10 elect him. The Secretary
OF State was, however, more especially the OBJ
Jet Of their bitterest hatred and abuse. He
was deemed formidable on account Of his high
intellectual powers, and the extended popularl-
~ he had justly acquired. BY breaking HIM
down, it was thought that the access 10 mower
would be more easy; and he, therefore, became
the target at whlc h the talented as wei. as the
untalented OF the Opposition, directed their
envenomcd shafts. OF Mr.. Clay's merits it is
almost unnecessary to say o word. His cha
racter is too well known-has been too long be.
fo'e the public to be exalted by panegyric, or
depressed by SANDER. As an orator, every NAV
who has heard him must admit his claims TO
emnencc; and as statesman, there are few
that will have the hardihood 10 deny his excel.
ence. 10 mind acute, discriminating and
naturally aflluent, is united an accurate know.
ledge OF the world, an Intimate acquaintance
with the policy of States, and a close and un-
ceaslng application TO business. He has been
schooled in the politics Of his country-nurler-
ed in the love of Iepu3licanism, and perfectly
conversant with all tina! is calculated TO render
the nation powerful and happy. In the various
conditions in which he has been placed he
has never failed 10 do what he believed TO be
right, and has never ceased 10 oppose what
he knew to be wrong. Every where we find
him the same uniform and ardent patriot, and
at all times we see him driven on by ain nextin.
guishable love liberty. 1t hat-been correctly
observed OF him, that the "spread Of univeral
freedom is the first and strongest wish of his |
heart, and whether she flaps her wings over the |
Cordilleras Of America, or reposes on the clas-
sic pains or delicious valleys of Greece, she is
sure TO meet IN Mr.. Clay friend that no casu.
atty can alter, and no personal interest can
change" We feel pleasure in beslowing this |
passing tribute on one who has been of late an
object of such unmeried and ungenerous abuse
We have, in former article on this subject: |
asserted that the history Of the world furnishes
many examples Of the perhlcious effects of un-
bridled opposition and internal dissensions.-
We need barely refer 10 that of Caria, Greece.
Rhegia, Briton & Gaul, for proof of this asser.
ton. Violent opposilions are apt to produce
civil discords, deadly enmities and open vio-
lence. Civil dlscords. according to the his,o.
rian Livy, have been, and will be, more ruinous
to States than foreign war, pestilence, and all
the calamities which the wrath of heaven sends