Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-10-02
For the Phen,r Gazette.


of free principles in every quarter oil the ciVii'
lied world, must be a matter Of deep regret to
.xerv American. AS long as their examinations
were aimed at the character of the government
which we have adopted, and under the admins
, ,ra,ion of which we have fearlessly entrusted
our national peace and prosperi'y,so long could
we point, with honest pride, at our rapid growth
in wealth in the useful arts, and in national
hoppiness We regarded their accusations with
deserved contempt, when they were thus direct
ed, confident in our vast superiority above the
most prosperous Of the nations OF Europe. But
the shafts of jealousy, how little soe'er they
might affect us when directed against the ma
,ional prosperity we have and still continue TO
+, enjoy, at length have found vulnerable point
In that spirit for the acquisition oil wealth
which pervades every class Of the community,
20 the neglect Of all else that brings glory upon
a nations character. This is the theme upon
which they delight TO dwell; and here our own
de6ciercies stare us too full N the face, to adj
nit of the least doubt OF our nseiorl'y.-
.Where,' ask our enemies, with exultalion, is
your literature? Are the present crude and
sicAly exertions Of your writers, the magnificent
results tina, your enthusiastic admirers OF hber-
Nv aud equality so fondly anticipated In their
dreams Of greatness" But is our literature at
so low an ebb? Has not her early dawn given
promises of bright aud glorious day? Is there
not some redesming circumstances connected
with it, that would lead the lover OF his country
10 believe that American genus may yet prove
It's equality with the highest OF the boas'tul land
of our fathers? II must be gralihcaIion TO
every American, that there is reason to hope
,ha, our literature will so hand in hand with
our great and growing prosperity in wealth and
national happiness. Our county IS yet young;
blu, little more than fifty years can be numbered
as the neriod Of our national existence; and can
il now be expected tina, our literature should be
entirely formed-that it should possess Pccu-
liar character of its own? Strong, however, as
our infant nation is in the two great arms OF po'
bticsl power-the intelligence and virtue, and
courage and patriotism Of her citizens-whleh,
like the infan, Hercules, can ovcrreach The cum
Ming. or crush the power Of her adversaries-
her literature, with only here and there ray
cleaning out from amid surrounding darkness,
must be considered inferior TO what our rauon>
al prosperity would give US reason 10 expect II
should be- This has been, in part, owing 10
The low standard Of attainment which has ex>
listed. in mart, TO the feelings OF superiority
with which We have regarded the literature oil
England, and our entire dependence upon that
country; but it is most especially owing to that
money getting spin, which prevails throughout
our land-which, however much itmay increase
our national wealth, diverts the attention OF our
ci,,zens from those pursuits which, while they
refine and polish the manners, al the same time
enshrouds the country with moral splendor,
the more glorious as il is the more rarely Seen.
The genius Of our government, how s'rehu>
opsly soeyer the contrary may be asserted oy
the admirers Of that greatness, which stars
par,ers, and blu, ribbonds,' can conier-'he tes-
,;,,onv Of reason and Of history most clearly
eyinces as decidedly favorable TO even the high
est a,tainmen,s in literature. Where, let me
s.k. is il most reasonable 10 suppose that the
march Of mind will be most rapid-where can
genius soar hiSher lhah III 'he 'ahu vi NV ''"
c,ples! Here the mind wanders free, unre>
strained by the bonds which power throws a.
round, aud uninhuenced by the fears with which
,i.led greatness encirces its humble admirers;
here, uncontrolled BY the will OF The powerful,
talent can rise undaunted, and spread the offer
ing of its pen upon the altar OF the nation: its
aim is no, the poor patronage tina, wealth can
bes,ow, but the higher and nobler patronage OF
na,ion's praise. Consider the cations that
once possessed power and extended rule, and
where free ms buttons exis,ed,-,here has lite
r,,ure shone forth most bright. Greece first
pointed out the road that leads to true and last
ing glory. Il was her literature which inde''-
Sly impressed upon her character the stamp o'