Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-04-02
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED,
DAILY,
From The National Journal.
no ruErREEMEN OF THE U. Estates.

No. L.
The uneeasing Efforts Of the Opposition to
the pres sent Administration, TO secure inc e'e'a-
ton Of their favourte candidate, by all 'he means
in their power, has forced, prema'urely, upon
your consideration the important qnesioh-
Who are 10 be your mex; kuiers ne aissP-
noin,ed ambition OF few leading men in differ
~, sections Of the country, would not permit
the community TO enjoy tina: political Calm
which ought ever to succeed the commotion IN
cident to closely contested election Tor the
Chief Magislracy. But, by agta,ing the pub.
lie mind, and ayowing, under flimsy veil oil
pa,riotism, their intentions to defeat, u posi-
BILE. the reelection of the President, even before
he had entered upon the duties Of his office, they
hoped to reiudice the opinions oil the unre-
flscting and leas, inqairing, and by their arts,
intrigues and false colourings, TO excite the IN
dignation Of the People, and ensure their suttra-
ees for their own favourite-thereby securing
10 themselves the benefits Of o6cs, Of which they
were deprived in constitutional manner, and
by a constitutional majority of the Elective Boz
DIV in the last resort, They knew that their
cause stood upon a slippery foundation. They
were well aware that il could only thrive amid
the storms OF popular commoiton aud party
strife. They trembled at the bare thought oil
committing il to the calm, deliberate, and I'M
They were afraid that, If the Administrator
were suffered peaceably to pursue those duties
pointed out by their oaths Of Office, and by the
Constitution Of their country, and the People be
thus ler, TO Judge Of them "by their measures"
their own prospects OF success might be forever
DESTROYED. These were the considerations which
Induced them at an early day-e,en as early as
the day on which the late Presidential cleo ton
was decided--to sound the trumpet Of opposi-
ton, and their determined hostility to the pres
ent incumbent, and his able co-adjutors; thus
forcing upon your consideration important
questions, which fair and honorable cause
might have safely uusted to the Investigations
Of later period. And, however niue b xasI.s ats
86r tness questions, you hnd yourselves tossing
upon the tempeatuous ocean OF party excite
meut at period when the inflamed breezes Of
opposition should scarcely have commenced
rnffling its surface.
1t is well known that, even under all these
circumstances, many Of our most estimable CT
tizens are yet opposed to engaging in the con-
troversy at this time. But with all the respect
which is so Justly due to their opinions, the
question is respectfully propounded to them
Does not the aspect Of the times call for the ac-
tive exer,ions of every patriot who feels the
least interest in the purity of our institutions,
and the success and durability Of republican
principles! When we see the Hall of Legisia-
lion converted into an arena for political com
bats; when we see the Just claims Of the honest
and needy petitioner, Of the gray-headed and
pennyless soldier Of the revolution, put aside to
give place 10 political disquisilions, in which
envenomed and dis,empered opposition might
have an opportunity to exhibit its jaundiced
front; when we see measures of great national
utility defeated by an unhallowed hostility to an
existing Administration; when we see the quiet
Of the whole Union disturbed by the intrigues
Of few " talented leaders" gras2ing at power,
regardless Of the real interests Of their constitu
en,s, or the welfare Of the nation at large, when
We see these things passing under our own
eyes, il is time 10 take stand, and investigate
t,e Causes whish have led to state ofthing> so
unpropitious TO the prosperity Of the Republic
The character Of the present Opposition
stands without parallel in the short period OF
our national existence. During the most peril
Gus periods, when party rage dis,empered the
Judgment and diseoloured the medium through
which the conduct and measures Of public men
were reflected, there was at least some sem.
blance Of principle which acluaied the Oppo-
sition, and united them in their efforts to gain
the ascendancy, so that those principles might
be developed, and applied to the various ope-
ra,ions OF the Government. Union Of senti-
ment was inscribed upon their banners. Prin-
ciples and not Men was the ground work oftheir
opposition. And f they, failed Of success, it
was from no conflicting opinions or interests a.
moDg themselves.
Far different is he com position Of the exist
ing Opposition. Formed ofihe fragments Of
The various conflicting interests Of the day,
without the least unity Of design, or, indeed,
any settled course of policy, they exhibit one
Of the most homogeneous and discordant parties
that ever figured in .he annals Of any country. !
Tariff aud anti-tariH, internal improvement and |
improvement-men,ad voear oft |
of the powers Of General Govern.
mens, and their opponents-all bound together
by the potent cement OF opposition to the men
IN power-without the most distant prospect
q advancing their difieren, and peculiar ideas
If national policy. 1t must however be admit.
ed thar they agree in one thing--in the cry Of
down with the. Administrations down with |,