Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-03-08
From the National hteligeaeer, March z.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES.


partv shirt. in a free Government, is dangerous
70 the nublic interest 1t has always been our
oninion. on the contrary, that the existence OF
par,y spirit, 10 certain extent, is greatly to Dc
preferred to the calm Of despotism, whether that
despotlsm be one OF opinion or OF physical
strength. An opposition to the measures OF
Government, when founded upon principle, IS
entitled to respect and consideration even from
the Administration TO which it il opposed
When founded upon different principles, or ra-
ther upon no principle at all, but that OF a COM
bination to obtain possession OF the Offices and
patronage Of Government, it is still useful, be-
cause it induces caution, and regard Tor pub
lie opinion, on the part Of those who administer
the Government, which cannot fail to serve and
protect the public interest We must have good
reasons, however, before IRE engage in an oppo-
sition to an existing Administration, OF the ma
ture first above stated, and we never will, under
any circumstances, engage in one OF the nature
last described.
With respect to the present Administration
OF the Government, it will be remembered by
all who read this Journal, that, at the time OF
its induction to office; its subsequent organi-
zation; and at later date, we have expressed
our conviction that the election OF the President
had been honestly made, and that the President
had acted wisely, and with exclusive regard to
the public interest, and to the circumstances oil
hi, election, in the appointment OF the Officers,
who preside over the different Departments ot
the Government, and represent our country a
broad More recently, we have had occasion
to say, that, Judging the Administration by its
measures, we believed, for any thing that we
could see, that the election oil President by the
House of Representatives resulted benehciaily
to the country, there being more to approve
than 10 disapprove in the measures OF this Gov
ernment We have yet seen nothing 10 change
this opinion "Unwarped by party rage" or
even by personal attachments; wholly uncon-
necred with the Executive Administration OF
the General Government; free from any engage.
ment, understanding, or alliance, with any par
~, or party men, this is the unbiased dictate
Of our deliberate Judgment.
This sentiment, such as we have heretofore
expressed il, we now repeat, with entire defer
snce to the opinion Of others. We have not
sought 10 seduce others 10 our opinions: stu
less have we denounced those who have come
TO different conclusions, or acted upon different
principles, from US.
Recent circumstances, however, have disclos-
ed the existence Of an organized Opposition to
the present Administration, the object Of which
is to out il Down, right or wrong. The hrst O.
pen application Of this principle having been
made, con,emporaneously with its avowal, TO
US personally, occasioned US no little surprise.
Il is with pain, indeed, We End ourselves ooli-
ped to direct the attention Of our readers TO
some features OF the scheme, by which the Ma
,chiavelian principles of very few individuals
are sought 10 be made the rule Of action Tor
great People--of the scheme, in the Prosecu-
don Of which, public utility, faithful services,
and acknowledged integrity, are to be sacrificed
to the Moloch Of party-of the scheme, by the
successful operation Of which this Adminlstra-
ton is, in the language OF highly respectable
member ofthe party, TO be "put down, though
it be as pure as the Angels which stand a, the
right hand Of the throne Of God!"
We shall endeavor to say nothing personally
offensive to any human being in our present ex-
position Of this matter; but we should be tIea-
cherous to the great national interests of which
we are proud of being the advocates-we should
be faithless to our readers, who lock 10 US for
the DEVELOPMENT OF passing even;s-if we did
no, speak plainly what we know. and disclose
frankly what we believe. Ifthis be offensive to
the preiudices or convictions Of any OF our read
ers, we snail regret il But, circumstance as
we are. the suppression Of truth, on such sub.
hood five we're to withhold what We know
and believe, on matter so vital to the great in
,eres,s Of or country as that we are about to
open, our daily paper would be daily lie to
the community.
With these preliminary remarks, we invite
the attention Of our readers to the vote, In the
Senate OF the United States, on Thursday last
for Printer to that body. The occasion was
in itself an unimportant one, wholly unworthy
Of special notice, and 10 which we certainly
should never have invited the attention OF our
readers, but for the organization which It Tor
the frst time disclosed, and for the principles
openly avowed on that occasion by the Honora-
able MARTIN VAN BuREN, an eminent Senator
from the State of New York, who has earned
the distinction of being brought into this bold
relief, by presenting himself on that day, as the
spokesman Of the party Of which we shall take
the freedom to consider him the head and re-
nresep.ative, if he be not both its parent and its
Guardian. Ofthat Senator, we should be the
last to speak with persona. disrespect. With
talents eaou Oh to be great man, he has the