Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-12
JACKSON DINNER.

A friend has handed US the following letter
from, a very respectable gentleman residing in
Pittsburg, detailing the circumstances OF the
fourth of July dinner in that place. We pub
lish it that our readers may have some idea OF
the course of the opposition in that quarter.
Nat Journal.
Dear Sir: The number, responsibility and or.
DERBY department Of the persons who attended
the dinner given to MIR. Clay on the goth nit.
struck the Jacksonites with terror and dismay;
they have been compelled to open their eyes to
the real state Of their cause, and to acknowledge
that the Administration have strength here
which they were unwilling to believe. They
perceived at once, that something must be es-
sayed to remove the impression which had
been produced. Several schemes we're thought
of, and after exarLination rejected, or only par.
TALLY acted upon. Al one time, they thought
Of coming out boldly, and denying the number.
This, however, was thought impolitic mere, IN
asmuch as our own eyes were witnesses. lhe
Mercury and Democrat did venture to reduce
the number TO about four hundred; but even this
so far exceeded their expectations, that they
could not console themselves with it.
Finally, however, they resolved to get up
dinner upon some occasion. What occasion
was the question. II would not do to invite
better unseen and unknown; and because. il
would be better to have it upon some pu5Sc
holyday, upon some day devoted TO mirth and
recreation; upon day when there was5no
school, and when the masters would suffer their
apprentices to go where they pleased. Finally,
they resolved TO select our great national ami
sersary, and 10 prostitute it TO party purposes:
There was much policy in the selection OF
the t1ay; it is universally devoted to enjoyment.
Upon this day our manufactures are stopped;
our schools are all closed, and the apprentice
boys are all al liberty. Again, the day was not
very remote, and yet it was sufficiently so 1.-TWO
weeks) to enable them 10 collect all their forces.
Some computations, 10 be sure, were feit at
prostituting the day to base party purposes; out
then it was ,oork Of necessity, and the "eombl-
nation" are not very "scrupulous. On the eve
ming of the 2lst, meeting was held, and the
arrangements for the dinner were made. III
the day was well selected, the preparations tor
the contest were not less wisely maee. ne
first matter was to select the most efhcient heiG
officers. The Woollens Bill is decidedly popu-
lar; there are here hundreds OF Jacksonites
who are favorable to The passage OF that OH, ana
who will at once abandon the General, II IL Is
proved 10 their reluctant minds that his election
would operate against domestic manufactures
They therefore selected for their PRESIDENT,
William Findley, our Senator, who voted tor
the Wollens Bill. There was some oppugna-
| ton on this point. William Findlay is not
resident here He felt some delicacy on this
poin. himself it looked like intrusion. Besides,
James s. Stevenson was our own Representa-
tive. Henry Baldwin was the Pennsylvania pet
of General Jackson, and had lately received a
present of Goa, made by Mrs. Jackson, and
John M. Snowdsn, our Mayor, had, at our late
Woollen's meeting, received and felt the mark
ed contempt OF our citizens, by placing our re-
spected fellow citizen, John Darragh, in the
Chair, and making our Mayor one Of his clerks.
These we're ali weighty considerations, and were
| inducements with the acknowledgements to make
one of them President; but they are all opposed
| to the Woollens Bill, and that would not do
I, is again matter Of necessity. Messsrs; Bald
win. Snowden and Stevenson, must yield their
claims, and Mr.. Findlay smother his feelings OF
propriety and delicacy. So this matter was set
lied. But settling this dif6eulty, only present.