Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-08-20
Era,n lie Rinhmond H1ig

From the Richmond Wing.
If The Public knew the .Auitor OF the Essays
Of which the following is the lst No they would
REQUIRE no invitation from us TO read them
We viii only say, iha, they will amply repay
the reader.
YO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.
Mol.
1t must be obvious 10 every observer OF pass.
ing events, that the present aspect oil poillcai
affairs is highly unpropilious, II not alarming
The time has arrived when neutrality may be
regarded as criminals indicating an insensl-
Billy to The success Of our happy institutions,
or sortlid and selfish determination to hazard
nothing for their preservation. With these
convictions, ask leave to submit for your de-
Iiberate consideration, some OF the views which
have occurred TO me as worthy oil your notice.
AS have no wish 10 aid them by any fictitious
circumstance, and am equally unwilling that
their influence should be impaired by any I'M
Jus, suspicion Of the quarter from whence they
come, | offer you a pledge Of my sincerity in
designating by my signature the pursuits OF my
life. am no office acknowledging that no
public station can be more honorable than that
which already enjoy an Independents far
mer. feel that am exempt from any impro-
per bias, and that il there errors III the
views which present to you, they are errors OF
the head and not of the hear. in addressing
you trust shall not forget The respect due TO
my fellow citizens, but shall at the same time
speak Frankly Of men and things as they appear
10 noe. The circumstances under which we are
called 10 ACT forbid flattery, or even forbearance
The times are dislempered. The omens are
,hreatening and il behoyes every man, con
scten;!ously and earessly, to take his st~,S
| . nnfv
a"a ~ s.o a. a y asH wn1rn 1 are towering
o,e- -mphatically to ask Of you, what
has produced the extraordinary state of affairs
10 which have alluded? Three years ago all
was tranquil. The vessel Of State glided peace
ably along The administration of public al
fairs (which was then conducted in the same
spirit as now--receiyed the general appreciation
Of the American people; and concord and good
will prevailed throughout the Republic. A
political millennium seemed 10 have arrived
But, what is now our condition? Discord and
all unchari,abencss are every where prevailing
The characters of our most illustriou, citizens
are assailed with ruthless barbarty. The press,
designed as great auxiliary to virtue, teens
with faloehood and defamation, so that .he gull
ty no longer fear its lash. Every house and
every hamlet is divided against itself-one por-
ton of The union arrayed against another--the
fearful and impous question Of disunion, in
some quarters, the subject Of daily and familiar
conversation. Our Legislature denouncing the
General Government for exercising powers
which have been unquestioned before, since its
ioundation-and while the Governor of one
STATE threatens to call out his divisions to wage
war against the federal authority of the Repub
tic, another propagates disorganizng scnti-
ments on the anniversary OF our Independence
this rendering them the more heinous.
These are among the signs. Of the times
which justify one in saying that the aspect of
our affairs is unpropitious, If not alarming. |
Aid well may we press the inquiry what has
produced it, and what is THE source of these
bitter waters?
The answer is plain one. We have suffer- !
ID the comparatively insignificant question of
who shall be our President, 10 absorb every o.
lher An officer designed by the Constitution
20 be our servant, To execute our will has be-
come already an object Of more consequence in
our eyes, than the best interests Of oar country
among which mean 10 include liberty itself.
ana our Tree institutions, which are now cons-
dered by some as cheap sacrifice to the sue
cess OF particular individual. Is this doubt,
ed! II so, turn to the following sentiment-sAl.'
ieslance TO Jackson is above all other conside. (
a,io"s' ms was boldly proclaimed by an
Editor whose necessities forced him 10 acknow-
ledge the source from which he derived the
means oil propagating his treason against the
nperues OF his country. Another Editor has
declared THAT if Jackson could not prevail by
'he oa'iot boxes, he should by the sword!"-
AID another though he once considered Jack
son every way disqualified, from his ignorance
ana from his vices, private and public, and tina,
MS election would be curse 10 his country.
now openly exrrts all his power and influence
% nave this curse fastened upon us. Have these
,di.ors received the rebuke so we'll meri,ed from
neir subscribers? Far from it, they are still
and still exercise-two of them at
easa-grea, influence over public opinion.
,t9ese were The signs which called forth from !
nat great apostle OF freedom, Jefferson, bis last
'at terrible warning: only country!" said he, Z
hou loo wilt experience the fate which has be- S
allen every free pove rn,nent- tl.I;La..;..:nI :