Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-09-03
To the Editor ofihe Phsnir Gazette.

invite your attention to clustering edlto-
rial article in late Richmond Enquirer, head
ed"Coalition Tactics" in which the modest on
auctors Of that paper promise, for the next SIX
Nv DAYS, TO stretch their sinews In behalf OF the
Hero, 10 the highest point Of exertion. Some
passages in this article deserve TO be 2arhcu-
iarly noted. "Think, YOU" says Mr. Richie,
aThat the friends Of the People are less warm in
their cause, than the friends Of The Admin'stra>
,;on:9 Shall the advocates Of reform be less &C
tive than the miuions OF power! Shall the pan
dsrs of usurpatoa and corruption boldly rally un,
der our very beards,-and shall the friends oil
pure election, and Of the constitution, ingiori,
ously sleep upon their posts!"
Let il be remembered that Mr.. Ritchie is the
organ of a central junto in Virginia which has
always assumed the right OF controlling the po-
li,ics Of the State 10y party machinery: that, IN
order TO give effect TO their plans, they have IN
dustriously maintained The opinion among the
neople, that the Enquirer was not only the most
talented, bu, the most ingenious, high-minded
and impartial print in the State, or United
States: that j, has always been on the side oil
State Rights, and against Federal Encroach>
ment-a course which, in the Old Dominion,
has never failed 70 recommend him who pur-
sues il. 10 popular favor. Let it be, also, re-
mem6ered, that no man makes greater ?roies>
sions Of honesty and purity, or AFFECTS more
sensibility at what he is pleased TO consider an
opposite conduct in the editorial irateiDit., IMAM
MIR Richie. Yet we see in the above quoted
passages, how, even that pure and immaculate
gentle man can descend TO the most paltry tricks,
aud indulge in the most arrogant and insulting
Ian -,unpe, in OF der TO serve the cause OF man,
whose election, not long since, ne declared
would be ga curse upon The country, VINO
would have expected from man, whose asso-
cia,es and minions are perpetually lauding his
:Aes apd fairness, Tie Gespieable and scurVy
as eonses, between ss t P5fssdsn!.al eon
nisirafiOn:2 What homes, editor would hold up
the competition OF Two men, between whom the
people are nearly diUdsd, not as struggle be-
tween them, but OF the people themselves a
painst one Of the candidates. II Jackson be
the Peoples candidate, let US suppose, Tor mo-
ment, that the People should beat their own
man.-would not that circumstance perplex
and confound our editorial knight OF the En-
quirer, beyond endurance!
But mean as this trick Of Mr. Richie is, II
is harmless when compared with tie impudent
and a,rogan, assertion which follows. All the
friends of the Administration, forsooth, are
panders Of usurpation and corruption, and SER
vile minions Of whilst, OF the olhe
hand, they who oppose it, and they only, are
advocates OF reform, % pure election and the
constitution Was ever such unblushing MI
scrable slang admitted, before, ir,he columns
Of decent newspaper. According 10 thisimpu-
dent in,errogatory-this new editorial resenpt
the MarshaIps, the Washington's, The Madi-
sons, the Monroe's, the Johnson's, the Brooks
the Pleasants's. the CabePs, the Dade's, aud
other ,irtuous and enlightened men, who are
found in Virginia alone, agains, the Military
Chieftain, are The panders Of usurpaiioa and cor
yuDiion: whilst such men as Thomas Hart
Benton, who lately figured in his hunting shirl
and small arms in Missouri, and Martin Van
Buren,, who pledges the vote OF New York, are
tae friends OF pure election and The constitution
q femDora! o mores! A VIkGlNlAN.