Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-04-27
From the Ne,c- York american.


The crv Of danger to State rights-which for
selfish purposes, is now raised by some poiti-
clans, is alike wicked and northumberland one
more calculated, than any that could be devils
ed, to produce alienation Of feelings in the CT
tzens Of this republic, towards the central gov
ernmenl--which constitutes the bond of their
union, safety, and power The opening speech
of Gov. Clinton on meeting the .eaisIy.tur
the resolutions -rfS'hIa, and lastly, the letter
oil Mr.. Van Buren, to the Legislature of this
State, acknowledging his reelection as Sena-
tor-all tend 10 the same end and OBJ ecl, that
Of sewing jealousy and distrus, among the peo-
pie Of the States, in their capacities as New.
Workers and Vlrginians-of the influence and
power of the General Government The let
ter Of Mr. Van Buren,, in particular, will afford
ground for much reflection and comment-frst,
as it is the public pledge Of his adhesion TO the
doctrines OF Virginia-and written, as we are
persuaded (for Mr. Van Buren, is too cautious
a man TO hazard without necessity such an i'm
portant "committal" in a mere formal letter Of
thanks) under the dictaton of the Southern
lesders-and secondly, as involving implica-
tons respecting the lost rights of the States, Ut
terly at variance with truth, and honest pur-
poses.
We state it as fac, tina, when tha, letter
was read in The Senate, most striking sensa-
ton Of surprise and indignation was manifest
ed even by those who were ranked among the
friends, personal and political, Of the writer
By one of them it was called "a second edition
Of the green bag conspiracy" by others, il was
suggested, that. as in the case Of the green bag
affair, Mr.. Van Buren, should be called upon TO
specify the rights Of which the States had been
deprived, how, and by whom. BY all except
two or three devoled partisans, il was vie we'd as
an uniounded and uncalled for attack upon the
general government, and an attempt disres ec,-
full 10 the Senate, 10 place them before the
country, as sharing on this head, the sentiments
Of the individual who addressed hem-And
is not that its character? What, we ask, would
have been the p"edicament of Mr.. Van Buren,,
if he had been thus called upon 20 specify the
grounds Of his charge? Where has New-York
suffered from the government OF the Union!-
What right has she lost? What privilege Of
sovereignty, other than those surrendered by
her on adopting the federal constitution
has been invaded or impaired? Does any
honest man believe that the Cabinet at Wash
ington mediate, or have ever meditated, any
encroachment upon the authority, power, or
rights of this state?-and If there be such an
one, will he point out the manner in which such
is to be made! The sword and
the purse are under the control, not ofthe Pre-
sident or his Secretaries, but OF the Congress;
and the Congress is composed of whom?-of
citizens of the respective States-jealous enough
of the rights Of their states-and each eager TO
distinguish himself at home, by defending her
interests abroad. These same persons, again,
make the laws, and they are not likely to adopt
any, that will curlail in any degree, the power
of their own states. The idea is preposterous,
but the charge i, leads to, is not therefore the
less wicked. Ours, is emphatically, govern
ment Of opinion, and il that be shaken or pol
sone6, the efficiency of the governments in pre-
portion weakened, and its responsibility is i'm
paired. State pride, too, is feeling so quickly
excited, Zone creditable itself, and yet SO sensl
tive, as to be easily misled) that the attempt OF
Mr.. Van Buren,, backed by Mr.. Clinton, under
the dictation of Virginia, to array this feeling
in New-York against the general government,
cannot be too Indignantly reprehended.