Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-05-09
saw, /. was a s1arae" meeting-and 50 Il may
have been, when compared with the en.irs
strength, in these parts, Of the Jackson parry
"How are tie mighty fallen"
From the New.York Time'.l

We have had occasion In several instances "
remark upon the injurious as well as und'shi.
fed violence with which national. poiitics arc
now agi,ated, boding, as we fear, disaster 10 our
common country. Could our readers have oe-
fore their eyes the political journals now before
ours, from all parts ofthe nation, their anxiety
would be reused to the highest pitch Tor the
safety Of the Union. The apparen sincerity
with which the most odious corruption Is
charged upon our rulers, the uncompromisihg
yirulence with which their election is claimed,
would lead the unsuspecting patriot to the be:
lief, that local rejudce, personal, base perso na'
interest, had no share in the denuncialions win
which the public papers are filled.
In the valuable work recently Published oy
Chancellor Kent, entitled "CommenIarie on A.
merican Law" we find the following remark in
reference 10 the election Of Presidents
"The mode Of his appointment presented one
of the most difficult and momentous questions
that could have occupied the deliberations OF
the assembly which framed the Constitution;
and If ever the tranquility of this nation Is 10 De
disturbed, and It's peace jeopardised by strug-
gle for power among themselves, 1t VIII ne up
on this very subject Of the choice OF PresI-
dent. Th. is the question that is eventually to
test the goodness, and try the strength OF the
Constitution; and if we shall be able, for hall
century hereafter, to continue 10 elect the chei
magistrate of the Union with discretion, mode
ration, and integrity, we shall undoubtedly
stamp the highest value on our national cha
racler, and recommend our republican inslitu-
tions, if not to the imitation, yet certainly 10
the esteem and admiration, Of the more enlight-
ened part Of mankind"
The American who, century hehce, reads
the history Of the present period, when Tune
shall hold up to his view the grounds oi cls-
pute, dives,ed of the feeling with which they
are now contested by the two great parties
which divide the nation, will ascribe to this
time the dawning Of spirit anticipated by the
learned author whom We have quoted, and
which, we fear, in Its results. will prove detri
mental, if not fatal, 10 American liberty, the
character Of which it has alre adv disgraced.-
The warmest and the wisest patriots have here
tofore deemed party spirit as exercised ny the
Federal and Democratic divisions, suspicious
to the great end for which both s'rove, mas
much as the reciprocal checks which each i'm
posed upon the other prevented usurpations
whic h the uncontrolled and indispu,ed domino
ton Of either might introduce. The Jealous
and interested watohfulness with which every
ed, compelled them 10 weigh we'll and scruPu-
lousy those measures which they sought TO
put into operation The contest was for prin-
ciplr--nol so now-it has assumed personal
character, character 10 which may be ascrib-
ed The downfall of all the ancient republios-i,
j. woeful commentary upon the liability Of the
people to be duped by demagogues, & enlist an
der banners of leaders instead of principles
Unon this subject, lay Mr. .7dams en,irt ly out OF
sight-let it be forgotten whether he be from the
north or The south, the east The west, look for
the honest motives which are in action for his
expn,s on; and We def, any dis inter- ed m n to
CLEAN from the ranting and assertions of his en-
emies, one solitary, legitimate, or patriotic rea-
SON for the hue and cry raised against him In
all the controversies which have fallen under
our observ alton, public or private, we never
knew more rancorous hatred, more vulgar a.
buse, or more undignihed violence than has
been manifested since his elevation. At pub
lie dinners the most dis :ractful feelings have
been aroused, toasts. which in point OF sentl-
men, and expression were of the crosses; ma
ture. have been cheersd and welcomed, and this
100 not only by the low and vulgar. but by men
from their private and official rank are
Looked upon 10 guide public opinion by the
lip hts OF truth. To this mortfying state oil
things the public press unfortunately contrib
u,rs its pow erful influence Those who pre-
side over it, too often give utterance to hasty,
llIiberaI and uncandid remarks not sanctioned
by their judgments or oonsciences. The re-
sDnnsibiitv under which editors OF public jour
mails lie is not sufficiently regarded or fulfilled
The man whose opinion in private lite orally
expressed would no: weigh straw, will some
times give tone 10 public sentiment and ac-
quire an influence, when speaking through the
pres, as uDnrri,ed as II is misc heyous. The
Difference with which the people are accustom-
ed 10 look 10 theirpublic journals for correct
leads them TO confide in statements
with little examination, which, by the manner
of their relation, and the language in which
they are clothed, no, unfrequently distort and
discolour the truth. How easy is it by the
language Of ridicule. TO embody all the facts,
but by ludicrous colouring give them an effect
as alien from wha, is just, as Iigh' from dark
ness? How constantly do political pariizans
ascribe every error TO corrupt motives, instead
of misiudgment, and denounce ever failing as
unred, emed by counter virtue! Such is no.
the spirit which is TO give perpetuity 10 Amer
lean liberty-such is not the spirit in which The
excellent Washington recommended mutual
frhearance and the sacrifice Of Dersonal 10