Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-06-29

of society, and are read much more JoT dWuSe-
ment than with the least hope Of deriving inSiruc-
ton from taem.' ~
From The Saturday Erening Chronicle.
The Coun, De Las Cases has detailed IN his
Journal the conversations Of Napoleon Buona-
parte, upon various and important SUBJECTS
His opinions are expressed in clear and iorcioie
language; are almost always ingenious, and not
unfrequently very profound. He possessed IN
an eminent degree. great colloquiai powers
Upon the subject OF ingratitude, he SAID "authors
affirm that men are ungrateful, but they are not
so unerateful as is supposed; and if ingratitude
be frequently subject Of complaint, it is because
The benefactor requires more than he gives -
To this opinion cannot altogether subscribe
That benefactors have frequently 10 complain
Of ingrati,ude, is position which cannot be de-
MED; but do not think 1t arises because they
require more than they give; or that men IN &C.
neral are Too vicious 10 be grateful. he true
cause why we see SO many instances OF msratl-
tude is, that favors are almost always bestowed
upon bold and undeserving individuals, and With
held from those who are too modest 10 be I'M
Fortunate, and too virtuously independent to So
licit them. Whoever mas offices al his disposal,
or great favors TO confer, no matter how Virtu-
Gus be NAV be, if he does not possess more than
an ordinary share of wisdom and insigh, into
the characters OF men, will find il very difficult
10 counterac, the artful and ingenious plans
which the vicious and aspiring will adopt TO i'm
pose upon his judgment, and to recommend
themselves as objects worthy Of his friendship
and patronage. In an adjacent state once
spent few days with Judge, whose duty 1t
was to appoint clerk to one OF the courts over
which he presided. The candidates for the OIL
fee were numerous, and the artful means which
they adopted to acquire his friendship, and to
asiasi csasn- him a nsamiss that he would bestow
successful candidate possessed g6ou -cos''saes'
nance; his manners were pleasing, and his con-
versltion sprightly and instructing He repre-
sented to the judge that he was the victim of
great and numerous misfortunes, which had
strpt him Of his property and consigned him
10 poverty. When he spoke of his amiable and
helpless family tears flowed from his eyes. In
twelve-month after this the judge told me that
he had no doub, tho man on whom he had be-
slowed he Office was more destitute of all the
qualities which adorn and elevate humanity,
than any Of his numerous competitors; that he
was unworthy his friendship and patronage;
that he was in fact, "an angrateful wretch." Your
remarks, L replied, convince me of the truth OF
the observation of Louis XIV: "when / give
away an Office" said that celebrated monarch,
81 make an hundred enemies, and one migrate
full man." But among an hundred and one can
didates for an Office. perhaps not modest, an
amiable, and retiring individual can be found
II, therefore, the choice has TO be made from a.
mong them, 10 all probability it will be bestow
ed upon IAN ungrateful wretch" Ifoffices were
bestowed, and favors conferred on those only
who do not seek or solicit them, bu, who are
content to live in retireme mt upon the labors OF
their own hands, benefactors would seldom have
to complain of ingratitude. History does not
apply to Phocion, or AbGolonimus, or Cincin-
natus, or Washington, the epithet of "ungrate-
full wretch" Yet the first never solicited an
Office, and was always con,epted 10 live in retire
ment on small farm, which he cultivated with
his own hands, until he was forced to leave it,
10 lead his countrymen to victory and glory
The second one was compelled to lay down his
hoe, and reluctantly to leave small garden in
which he daily labored, to expose himself 10 the
temptations, and to assume the cares Of king.
1t is, however, no where said that Alexander,
his benefactor, found him ungratefuI The third
one was more than once forced from the han,
dies Of the plough, and invested with absolute
power, to save from ruin and desolation the Ro-
man commonwealth And where was the grea,
Washington always found when his country
solicited him to command her armies, or 10 give
stability to her institutions, by discharging the
duties ofcivil Offices? Was i, not in retirement?
1t is seldom, however, either in monarchies or
republics, that men are solicited to leave the
shades Of retirement, to accept Offices, or to re-
ceive favors; they are generally bestowed upon
those who most artfIlly, most boldly, most per
seyeringly, and sometimes corrupty, seek to
acquire them. This, believe, is the true rea
son why we have to hear so many complaints
about the base ingratitude Of mankind; and not,
as baonaparte seemed to think, because "beno-
factors require more than thew give"
Power, wherever placed, will be Aa,tered, and
in some measure worshipped. The people of
the United States receive as much flattery, and
apparently are as much pleased with it, as any
monarch that ever sat upon throne. How Of
ten are they told, in the speeches Of candidates,
that they are the most virtaous, the most en-
ligatened. and the freest nation upon earth.-
And lie who can most successfully convince
them Of these all important truths, is sure to
acquire their confidence, and 10 receive their