Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-09-22

Amid the throes and commissions Of the 20.
litical world, why is Virginia alone sumhering
in inactivity? From the heated animosites Of
partisan warfare it is usually we'll TO keep aloof
and retaining the calm eQuipoise Of unexcited
feeling, discharge in silence the duties Of cili
zen. But there are periods in the career Of
every Government, when II becomes an impe-
rative obligation on the part Of the People to
shake IF all lis,less indifference, and display
those energies which may sometimes sleep, but
which can never be ex,inguished, without an
extinction Of political existence. II ever in the
history OF civil society, a movement Of a whole
community was warranted or demanded for the
attainment Of particular purposes, that crisis
is at hand. From small beginning, which no
manregarded as dangerous, we have seen grow
ing and spreading into every corner of our land,
an enthusiasm as natural TO mankind asis,ruc-
has been subversise of!hsdireFtFy age * in every
s sXf IL 1hsf IsTy glory has invariably secured
10 its possessor the alteration OF The world. Ana
even now, when the public mind is more genei-
ally enlightened than at any period since the
ere alton Of man, and when heroes nave pee ONE
as common in our land, as swndlers or roooer''
this feeling rs found not less prevalent, nor In
its conse quences less inlmlcai to tue sooer TN
;oymr ms Of civil life. Like torch thrown &c
;1ert, ~ ;n,o some of the extensive forests Of
our couu nv. catches from leaf 10 leaf, and from
bush.to Asb, and widens in its circle OF des>
,ruc,;ou. until whole TERRITORY is enreloped IN
.moke and FIRE, SO has the desire OF elevallng TO
tbc chief maeistracy of this Republic man
DISTINGUISHED alone for his military powers,
snread from Maine to Georgia, wherever COM
bus,,bje material has been found TO feed the ex-
/ ,epdirr.fame anC. has now involved whole
people, hitherto tranquil and happy, in the
I sweat and hea, Of political contest, generated
solely by the dazzling lustre OF successtul arms
! To oppose the further extension OF princi-
,l.s and opinions, dangerous as those are
which have rendered Gen. Jackson so conspi-
,uous a candidate for the Presidency, Is Sol
emn duty which every citizen ofthis Common
wealth owes 10 his forefalhers who established
her liberties, and his po,terNy, to whom he i
bound TO transmit the inheritance unimpaIred
If. in after time, some Gibbon, searching foi
the causes Of "lhr decline and fall' OF the Am
e,ican Republic, should properly trace The me
Isnchoy event to the adoption Of that measure
of gratitude for military services, which seek
TO reward them with the highest civil station
known 10 the constitution, then may those VIII
come after us have cause to curscShe idS o
; our adversaries, who advocated suetdoe time;
F, and the supineness of ourselves S@ho old. no
! sufficiently oppose their PRONUNCIATION. :
But IL is no, too late TO avoid .his ealamit!
. The result Of the recent elections in the Yves
is calculated 10 Inspire the friends ofthe. preset
able and virtuous administration with new col
: 6dence. Kentucky, Ohio, Louisiana, al Ind
> ana, are safe, Missouri and Illinois, fhoug
, doubtful are by no means hopeless, In Ii
! rrea, State Of " York, it is InoughtiYe ma
. rely with entire certainty on "a, il not vote
4 Ru, Ie, US make assurance douby sureC WI
g have we given up the good old Commonweal
:, Of Virginia. Is she irreclaima6ly gone,
:. sweA the pageanrry Of a fortunate soldier? Is
A. morally certain that Virginia, The land Of gs
:. Jus and talent, intends to forget all the claim
r, of mind. and yield entirely to her admirau
3, Of physical excellence. Shades Of Henry al
70 Wy,he, of j, fferson, forbid ii! She has tho
~ sand sons who with the same opportuni,i
10 would have won victories as glorious as that
Sc Orleans, and who, as soldiers, would not ha
n, 70, gotten that they we're men, 10 sport with
lives OF the deludeG, Virginia Is not to be s
en- ND. She is not dead, but sieepe,h." l
o. u arouse her from her torpor, Let US c
W. nightly from the wall Of our political zion,
,d ,hs IL If mr. political safety NAV vet be pI