Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-02-27

Mr.: Adams and the Leaders Oh the reuerai par
~ has been published in Washington, contain
ing the following additional papers illustrative
Of the subject; which, wishing 10 give The 'ohoIs
on beth sides publish.
ADDITIONAL PAPERS.
Extract of letter from John Quincy Adams to viii.
liam Plumer, Esq, dated,
a! Sea, 18Th Augusf, 1909.
The spirit Of party has become so inveterate
and so virulent in ouI country; II has so totally
absorbed the undersl anding, and the heart OF
almost all the distinguished men among US,
that /, who canno, cease TO consider all the in
dividuals Of both parties as my countrynen;
who can neither approve nor disaPprove, IN
lump, either Of the men or the measures OF ell
thsr party; who see both sids claiming an ex-
elusive privilege Of patriotism, and using a.
eainst each other weapons OF political warfare
which never can handle, cannot but cherish
that congenial spirit which has always preser.
we'd itself pure from the infectious vapours OF
faction; which considers temperance as one OF
the FIRST political duties; and which can per-
ceive a very distincI shade Of difference between
political candor and political hypocrisy.
Il affords me constant pleasure TO recollect
thai the history of our country has fallen into
the hands Of such man. For as impartality
lies q, the bottom OF all historical Truth, have
often been not without my approximations, that
no true history Of our times would appear, at
least ia the course Of our age. That we should
have nothing but FEEDER al Histories o, Repub-
hcan His,o: iss-New England Histories or
Virginia Histories. We are indeed not over.
stocked with men capable even Of this, who
have acted part in the public affairs OF our
nation. But Of men who unite both quai6ca.
tons, that Of having had practical knowl-
edge of our Affairs, and that Of possessing a
mind capable Of impar'iality in summing up
The merits Of our Government, Administra-
,ions Expeditions, and People, know hot an
SSDa4ssnssy 81 fdamins an acquaintance on the
correctness Of whose narrative should so i'm
2licitiy rely.
Such a historian, and / take delight in the
belief, will be legislator withou, needing con,
stituents. You have so long meditaled on your
plan, and so much longer upon the duties OF
man in society, as they apply 10 the transac-
tons Of your own life, that / am well assured
your work will carry profound political mo>
rsl with il. And hope, though upon this
subject have had no hint from you, which can
ascertain that your view Of the subject is the
same as mine; but ! hope that the moral of your
history will be, the iudissoluble Union Of the
North American Continent The plan Of
New England Combination more closely ce
men,ed than by the general ties Of the Federal
Government; a combination first to rule the
whole, and il tina, should prove impractcable
10 separate from the rest, has been so far ma
tured, and has engaged the studies, the in
trigues and the ambitions of so many leading
men, in our part of the country. tina, think It
will eventually produce mischievoLs consequen-
ces, unless seasonaby and eHcc ualy diseoun-
tenanced by men Of more influence and OF more
comprehensive views. To rise upon divi-
sion system is unfortunately one Of the most
obvious, and apparently easy courses which
PLAYS before the eyes ofindividual ambition, in
every section Of the Union. II is the natural
resource Of all the small statesmen, who, feel
ing like Cesar, and finding that Rome is too
large an objec, for their grasp, would strike off
q village where they might aspire 10 the inst
station without exposing themselves TO deri-
sion. This has been the most powerful opera
tive impulse upon all The diviaonisfs from the
frs: Kentucky conspiracy do~s TO the negolia.
tious between Massachusetts, Connecticut and
New Hampshire Of the last winter and spring
considered me rely as purpose OF ambition,
the grea, objection against this scheme is its
littleness. Instead OF adding all the tribes OF
Israel 10 Judah and Benjamin, like David, 1t is
waking IN tue ways OIL JcTooodin, thc sou vi
Neba,, who msde Israel TO sin by breaking off
Ssmaria from Jerusalem. Looking a: II in re.
ference TO mo, al considerations, il is delesla-
bic, ss it certainly cannot be accomplished BY
opep and honorable means. The abe,tors are
Obliged to dissvow their real designs-to affect
others-,o practice continual deception, and TO
work upon the basest materials, the selfish and
dissocial passions Of their Instruments. Poll
,;calv king IL is as iniudicious as il is con.
traeied anu di,honorable. The American peo.
ple are no, prepared for disunion: far less SO
than these people imagine. They will CONT
nue. to resist and defeat every attempt Of that
character, as they uniformly have done, and
sue Droi,os will still terminate in the ruin Of
Their projectors. Blu, the Ill consequences of
this "a rhaen, spiri win be 10 keep he country
in state of constant agitation, to embitier the
,ee.t Dr, iudices of!elow citizens against each
.si to diminish ne influences Uhieh zoe
70 haze, and might have, in the &C.
5ounciis NJ the Union.
coun,eract the tendency OF these partial