Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-02-20
From The Western Herald.
RESTLESS POLITICIANS.


There is, in every country, set Of restless
politicians, whsse forte consists in growing,
scolding, and fault finding. In this way, they
calculate upon bringing themselves into notice
and acquiring fame. But j, is too often that
they ACQUIRE the notice and the fame attached
10 the assassin or the incendiary. The elements
OF strife, malice and discord, which run riot
during the administration Of Mr.. Madison, were
held in check during that OF Mr.. Monroe. All
parties wished 10 enjoy season OF quiet, and,
If PRACTICABLE of harmony.-But, noD, these ele-
ments, so long held in restraint. are let loose with
redoubled force, and with more than their for
ner malignitv.-It is not, no,o, deemed sufti.
Gent to call in question, and 10 condemns MS sAS
acts Of our rSlsss. e'i intrigue, mus, be laid to
their doors. When called upon 10 prove these
charges, so openly and unblushingly made, the
originators Of them meanly and disgracefllly
skulk from the tribunal before which they are
called to appear, whilst their humble followers
at distance keep up the hue and ery-,hus
enaravo,ing 10 bring disgrace upon their own
rulers, and TO cast odiun and obloquy upon the
principles ofrepresentation and Of republican
government The object is apparent. 1t is 10
decsius and n,isIead the great body the people
Falshood, they well know, travels on the wings
OF thr!wind, whilst truth comes limping after
One Of their most distinguished editors openly
avowed, that II twas easier for him to tell lie,
than for his opponents to prove il to be so''-
thus. contrary to all the principles Of justice and
morality, to put the proof Innocence on the per
son charged with an offence. Just so has it
been, as TO the Administration; they are called
wicked aid corrupt no kind Of evidence is
offered in support Of eaarge-anh they are
called upon to shew that they are not wicked &
corrup, Can any thing be more prepo,terous
and ABSURD? Suppose one neighbor should say
10 another: Sir, YOU have stolen my horse
know YOU have-and know also that you bar
gained with another man TO help you 10 steal
him-now if you are innocent proUs your in
nocence-if you do not will report to the world
that you nave stolen my horse And suppose
the person thus charged should, after denying
il, ask for an investigation Of the charge before
two or three Of their neighbors, and after those
neighbours were assembled together to investi.
gate the person who alleged that his horse was
stolen, should refuse to appear before them; s.
should afterwards even acknowledge that he
had no reason to charge the theft on any one
what would be the impression as TO the con-
due, and character of such man? Would he
not be pronounced infamous, and his name ever
after be "bye word 8 reproach" What ought
then, to be the public opinion, in regard to
those who, Notwithstanding this disgraceful
conduct on the part Of the originator Of the
char sc, should take pains to Giro ulate il, and to
make others believe it to be true? Would they
be considered good neighbors or honest men?
JUS, in this way-and no be,ter-haye the
President OF the United States and the Spcreta-
ry of State been streated.-rhey are charged
with gross odence-they ask to be confronted
with their accusers-.their aecusers basely shrink
from the trlal-they conceal themselves in their
own obscurity-but their more humble follow.
ers continue casting their Parthian darts a,
those whom their doughty leaders dared not
meet face TO face.