Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-08-13


stallation of Mr. Jefferson? Did they arise
from death or resignation, or did Mr.'Jeferson
create yac ancies BY removals. Dismissing from
Office men who were capable. honest, and faith
full to the Constitution! These are material
inquiries, and are essential to be known, before
proper and correct judgment can be formed
as to motives-whether pure or corrupt. O3-
on examination, it will be found that President
Jefferson did dismiss from office men who, in
the struggle for our liberties, yielded to none;
men who were placed in Office by, and possessed
the confidence of, Washington. For this eU1-
dence of corruption, which is so strong against
that good man, that good patriot Jefferson, we
have only to contrast his conduct with the de-
claratons contained in his inaugural address
Of 1901. He says-"Let US, then, fellow clli-
zens, unite with one heart and one mind; lei us
restore to social intercourse that harmony and
affection, Without which, liberty, and even lille IT.
self, are but dreary Thugs: And let US reflect,
that, having banished from our land that rell-
gious intolerance under which mankind SO long
bled and suffered, we have yet gained little, II
we countenance a poEticnt intolerance, as despot.
ic as wicked, and as capable OF as bitter ana
bloody prosecutions" With this pledge, con-
nected with the sentence, we are all Repuoii-
cans, we are all Federalists, the people had
right to expect political millennium; that
just regard for Opinions would be paid, and
that error Of opinion may be tolerated, when
reason is left free 10 combat H. But with all
these soothing professions, look al the conduct
of President Jefferson: In the short period OF
one year, he dismissed from Office t,Csnfynine IN
diuidual ON account OF their political opinions, and
appointed his o,cn political fdsnds--Jf'isnds who
were chiefly instrumental in making him Presi /,
dent. Is not this 2resumptiye of'corruption:
Was he not vili6ed from Maine to Georgia.
What became Of this presumption and this
abuse? The answer will be found in the wise
and patriotic measures Of this Administration.
The good Of his country demanded this harsh
exercise Of power. His slanderers have been
consigned to the fate Of Burr, while his fame
stands imperishable.
What are the lineaments of the present Ad-
minis tration? Is political intolerance one
of its features' Has Mr.. Adams displaced in
dividuals for their political opnions9-Has ne
appointed to Office political f,iendsS-lf he has,
ask for proofs. Wherever honesty, capacity,
and patriotism, were to be found, friends or
foes, Mr. Adams has not hesitated. And 1t
will be found, that among his appointments,
the highest in the gift of the Government, men
have been selected,who were avoUsdly friendly
either to the election Of Mr.. Crawford, or Gen.
Jackson. There is one of his appointments
that has ostensibly given great umbrage, and
that is Mr.. Clay's. Why this umbrage, and
from whence does it spring? 1t springs from
senvy, malice, and all uncharitableness. That
man, who would Impute corruption to Mr..
Adams, possesses no moral sensibility, aud con-
not measure the sublimity OF his character.
In the selection of Mr.. Clay, TO divide the Ia
bors Of the Government, he did as much honor
to his Judgment, as he did to Mr.. Clay. The
services Of Mr.. Clay entitled him to the Of
fee; and the Judgment of Mr.. Adams, OF any
mans abilities for office is not TO be questioned
A brief survey of Mr.. Clays life will prove, that
his love for the Constitution has not been sur
passed His construction OF the powers OF that
instrument is that which goes to sustain all the
leading measures the first magnitude and i'm
porlance to the happiness and aggrandlzement
of the country. His zeal for popular rights
was so great, that we find him, in 1898, ole OF
the most energetic opponents to the Alien and
Sedition Law. The pernitious tendency OF
| these laws were ably developed. The people
listened to his eloquence, and were convinced.
| In favor Of the gradual emancipation of the
blacks, you again see him, in 1899, foremost
| in his State, admitting that there were some
States in the Union whose situation forbid
| them to take such step.
In 1906 he was elected to the Senate of the
United States, 10 serve the remainder Of the
term for which Governor Adair, who had re-
signed, was elected. 1t was during this session
that Mr.. Clay made his debut on the subject Of
the erection Of the Potomac Bridge. He sup
ported the bill for the erecting Of the BRIDGES in
his speech displayed those broad and compre.
hensive views Of national policy, which has
since, in his legislative career, so endeared him
TO the American people. The extension Of the
Circuit Court system of the United States to the
States of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio, was
moved this session by him, and carried.
In 500 he was again transferred TO the Sen.
ate, where he distinguished himself on two me.
morable occasions: one was the occupation, by
| President Madison, of that part Of Louisiana
which lies between the Mississippi and the Per.
dido, now West Florida, which was triumph.
anlIy vindcated. The other was the renewal oil
the charter Of the Bank of the United States
On the 4th day of November, 1911, Mr.. Clay