Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-04-28

ments shall be made, or other prospects shall
become more f1auering. And, finally, their
own preference for :he General; under the pre-
sent peculiar circumstances, is on the decline,
and will at once vanish, the moment they are
convinced tina: he is identified with the plans
and proceedings Of the Opposition"
In the same paper We find the following ar
ticle:
Dying Tssiimony-lt is not generally known,
perhaps, that during the last days of the late la
mented NICHOLAS VAN DYKE, he was solicitous
for his recovery, among other reasons, especial
ly that he might sustain, as far as il depended
on himself and his influence, the Administra-
ton Of the General Government in that sort of
warfare which he saw waging against it during
the first session Of the Nineteenth Congress-
He had lately left Washington, where his OPP
por,uni,ies enabled him to take fair and full
view Of men and things "You have doubtless
(said he,) from the public papers, formed some
idea Of The character of the Opposition at
Washington; but let me tell you, they give you
no adequate conception ofit."
In rejecting on these circumstances, il seems
to me that Mr.. Van Dykes opinion is worthy
Of the candid consideration Of every citizen Of
Delaware. In the first place, would suppose
him to be a very competent judge in this mat
ter The public are not to be informed at this
time of day, that Mr.. Van Dyke was man Of
excellent mind, and Of a,,ainments seldom ex-
eelled, if equaled, by those Of any ofhis fellow
citizens He, therefore, was enabled, on the
score Of capacity and Information, to form
rational estimate Of the merits and dement's of
the Administration and ofthe Opposition.
In the next place, let the reader mark the mo-
ment in which this distinguished citizen gives
his testimony. 1t was not al some conviyial
meeting, where things are sometimes said hall
in earnest, and half loosely. 1t was not in
contest with an opponet, when passion and as
sertion are often more abundant than argument,
fact, and probability. No-his testimony was
given in very different circumstances! 1t was
given precisely at that point Of time when, con-
scious. Of his approach TO that world "frcm
whose bourne no traveller returns" IMAM often
casts ga longing, lingering look behind" AT
this very moment, like real, aye, real patri-
OF he sighs for a continuance Of life, that he
might unite with al good citizens IN checking,
and defeating the machina-
tons Of an opposition, so new in character and
so dangerous in tendency! This was shortly
after the close of the first session of the Nine
teenth Congress.
But how much more ardent would his desire
Of life have been, could he have anticipated the
whole course Of conduct of the opposition al
the second session, which lately terminated!
Those Combinations" Of which Washington,
in his Farewell address, so solemnly warned
US to beware. he would have seen, III midnight
caucus, at the capital of the Union, devisins and
projecting system Of operations by which the
road to their advancement would be less i'm
pedrd
lie would have seen measures acknowledged
by some Of the Opposition, in private, to BE-
really good, most strongly opposed, lest their
beneficial effects should add strength to the
Administration.
He would have seen men abandon a system
Of policy which they had once supported, with
the view Of aluring some doubtful but large
States, to the support Of the military chief
tain"
In short, he would have seen such a course
Of conduct, on the part Of the Opposition, dur
ing the entire session Of Congress, as would
have totally dispirited the real patriot, were
there not firm reliance to be placed on the in
telligence, the justice, and the virtue Of the
People.
Mr.. Van Dyke, himself, like many others,
had not always approved Of every act of every
Administration Of the General Government y
This was course which men might honestly
and conscientiously pursue, and which no doubt
has heen pursued al different times, BY numer-
Gus citizens since the formation of our Govern
ment. But to wage war on personal rather than
on national grounds-looking mainly to the pro
motion Of some" master spirit" that they them
selves might be promoted rather than to the
real, substantial, and lasting interests of the
country, was not doctrine that Mr.. Van Dyke
deemed orthodox; nor one, we imagine, which
will meet the appreciation Of the Intelligent, ir
dependent. and unaspring citizens Of Delaware.
Seeing that the Administration was meritor-
Gus, he gave it his decided supper, while living,
and actually desired a continuation Of life that
he might perform his duty in sustaining it a.
gainst an Opposition so totally different in
character and tendency, from any that has ever
existed in our country.
Toliving testimony Of a similar nature, and
of respectable character, it is not now our pur-
pose to appeal; though we have II on all sides,
and in all Professions and conditions of life
throughout this State.
Extract of letter to the Editor of the Maryland Re-