Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-04-09

To the point, however. we nave Nv
position to meet the Argus on open srou"a
Tor the Editors Of that print are very hA.S
be more in the confidence Of the "Master OPP
rit as his followers call him, than any o'"er !"
The Union; and, in his absence, have ao'e CO...
sell at hand. We, therefore, copy from ma
print the only particle OF any thing IKE 'ep'Sf
which The Argus has offered 10 the substance o'
our statements. Here it is, taken entire:
From the Albany Argus Of March So ~,
The attacks of the National lnfelhgencer. we
substitute this morning extracts from an article
in the Richmond Enquirer, in reply to the sirlc-
lures Of the National lnteilgencer, instead OF
such remarks as we proposed ourselves to sub
nit on that subject.
We have spoken Of the "signs" Of The Intel
l;ccncer. as perversions and misrepre sensations
We have done so with reluctance, for we are
10th to give place to any other feeling than that
of respect for their opinions and conduct; iee'
ing which we shall continue to entertain Tor
them personally and for their talents. Briefly,
their conversions consist in attrbuting to Mr.:
VAN buren,, in his language on the iioor g. OF
the Senate, a design so 10 improve the conan
ton Of the Press throughoutth the Country as 10
render it subservient 10 his views or the views
of what they rhuse 10 call the "Combination,
whereas they well knew that he alludedto SUCH
an improvement as should make the Press IN
dependent OF Executive influence, by placing
the appointment Of the Publishers oil the Laws
| in the hands Of tie Representatives 81 the REQ
ME instead o. those Of the Secretary OF State.
Amongst their representations, we notice
the following, reserving for another occasion
| an allusion 10 others.
They say: "The hopes Of the Party rest on
the ability of Mr.. Van Buren, to transfer TO the
caucus Of next Winter thirty sir shares 81 STOCK
which he has contracted to them
The editors OF the Intelligencer are challeng-
ed to exhibit the proof Of their declarations In
this respect; as they will be in many others,
equally without proof and without foundation
From this article, il seems, we are thought
to have perverted Mr.. Van Buren's language,
in regard to "improving the condition OF the
press" and that he only meant 10 suggest the
expediency Of a change in the mode OF select
ing publishers Of the laws. more himsy de'
fence was never offered: for what was the sub
iect upon which he made those remarks? Was
ii the publication of the laws? Not at all. Had
the choice of Printer 10 the Senate any connec'
ton with the selection Of Publishers o! the
Laws? No, the least Had prospect for the
Senate" any thing to do with the Publishers OF
the Laws? Certainly not. Had "the reports o.
proceedings of the Senate" any thing to d.
: with the appointment of Publishers OF the Law
Clearly not. Yet these two topics were aIs'
induced by MIR. Van Buren,, along with his pro
Liect for the improvement of"the condidition o
the press" by denouncing and prescribing TN
National Intelligenccr, in despair OF bending II
stubborn independence to his political purpo
se.. And, not contented with the improv
ment Of the condition Of the press here, by thl
/, patent process, he betrayed his views as to In
b D'V =. hsre put elsewhere. is pre-
! CIV 20 md the friends of tbs, so 'rres,ss
'on f now denying the avowsJ s'u.sns
mere by means Of the printing Of tho Senate. {
elsewhere by. other means, the full force q
I which means the Argus probably understand
better than We pretend TO do. If that talented
Senator had thought there was any thing DO
litically wrong in this employment of the DOW
ers OF the Senate, he would doubtless neither
have conceived or altered the sentiment. tn.
question is, whether it be right or wrong? 1t is
Tor the People Of the United States to decide
whether such principles belong to the creed OF
Republican, or do honor 10 the Senate of the
United States. To them that question has
been respectfully submitted.
we were aware that there were politicians in
the State of New York 1--WE hoped there were
few who would applaud this piece Of dexter
Gus management. We have heard gentlemen
from that State defend the proposition that
Legislator has the same right 10 dispose of his
political influence for gold, as to sell any other
property he is possessed Of And these men
were no miserable cheats, lurking after unwary
victims 10 their rapacily, but honest, open,
good-humored persons as one would meet with
IN Summers day. One of them, we recol-
lect, set himself up for very Cato in stern
ness and independence, as regarded the politics
OF the General Government. This Vicious
pervers'on OF the principles of right and wrong
is attributable to the prevalence Of sort Of
organization, which has long existed IN the
state of New York (though now much curtail.
ed OF Its power) of such nature, tina, single
individual, not even member Of the Legisia.
ture OF the State, has been able 10 exercise an
influence over Legislative measures, which has
been thought to be cheapIy bought for ,hous- |
sands and tens of thousands This is the eff. |
feet OF organization and discipline, the intro.
duction OF which into the Councils of this Ma.
lion we deprecate as most awful evil. 1t is
this system, the power Of which surpasses the
dreams OF Archimedes, that the initiated have
IN view, when they boast of having "oreanized"
party hereof the Senate's having become