Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-01-22
AE,1ssaxA NDR,lIAa D. O.
FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY %, 1880.

noticing the rather femdfh60ie ."'sSoSe VI '"e
PRESIDENT 10 Congress on the four important
subjects Of the Gold Medal. BoLIyAR's conduct
our relations with Colombia, and the Character
Of MIR. I. P. Moore, and the no less e1traor-
binary letter of the latter worthy himself
The President, in this matter, seems to have
been left 20 pursue his own course, and the con-
sequence is, he does what is very wrong, or, at
best. what is very foolish. The Colombian
Government, in spirit Of sersility and adu'a'
ton perfectly characteristic, upon the fa''ure
Of some a,temp, to assassinate Bolivar, order
gold medal to be s'ruck--one OF which me
dsls, thu ough Mr.. Moore, they send TO General
Jackson, as a testimony Of their high ana
distinguished ,egarL for General is, perso"
and character" and as expressive OF their "sa'
tisfaction at his elevation 10 the Chief Mays
tracy Of the United Slotes."
We shall say nothing here, Of the inde'icaey
and improperly Of foreign Government ex"
pressing any such sa,isfac ion," and espe'
cialy Of public Minister heralding the ex'
pre- sson of this satisfaction" In an ofii'ial
letter. Upon the receipt, however, OF this me
dal, struck on such an occasion, and sen, in
such manner, the President pompously an
nounces the important intelligence TO Congress,
and also his determination, in pursuance OF an
article OF the Constitution, not to accept oil It,
We have not examined into precedents, but it
strikes us very forcibly, thai, heretofore, our
Presidents and Secretaries have modes'ly aud
quietly "put back" the prohibited gll's and
honors OF foreign countries, without troubling
Congress with an account OF the affair. Not
content, however, with thus gratutousy afford
ing this Information, the President, mos. mis-
placed, mis,imed, and unca allied for, enters into
speculation. concerning Bolivar's future course,
and pays tina, Distinguished Military Chief
aim several undeseIved compliments. What
General Jacksoh's private estimate OF the ma
lure Of ,livar's services and of his isohal
character" may be, is, perhaps, matter OF FER
feet indifference 10 nine tenths Of the people.
Blu, that he should make that favorable estl.
mate" the subject Of a Message 10 the Con-
gre.s Of the United States, is, indeed, most
surprising Congenial spirits, however, never
lose. an opportunity Of complimen,ing each
other; and the mex, arrival from Colombia may
bring Us a speech from the Emperor Bolivar,
in which hess speaks of the favorable estimate
! he has formed Of he nature of the services and
of the personal character OF the President Of
the United States"
1t is notorious hat the lac conduct Of Boil
var has justly rendered him an object of suspi-
cion to The friends OF freedom in this country:
1t is equally notorious, that, from every hing
we can gather, il is his inen ion to assume the
title OF King, and add the symbols OF royalty TO
the power which he already possesses. And IS
this time for our Chief Magistrate 10 aid his
progress, by an aft c,ed admiration Of his cha
RAJ ter and his services? Is this time 10 fiat
ter his vanity, and virtually approve OF his mo-
tIves! We leave it fer common sense 10 an
swer.
The Presiden, incongruous'y jumb''s along
with the other matters and things in his here
afier to be remembered message, aslaement
Of the measures that have been entered ino
with The Colombian government, for he final
settlement, Of our claims. Having no counec-
tiun with The main subjec, Of the m ssagr, and
by 10 means tie cause Of It's being writ en-, we
think The Information should have reached
Congress in the regular old fashioned way.
Then comes the grand climax-,he certificate
Of the good conduct Of Mr. Minister I. p
Moore-and verify it requises, at least, the en-
do srment of the Presidrn, to convince US OF
the fact, that Mr.. Moore has eff'cisd more in
five weeks" Than has heretofore been accom-.
pshed in as many years. Are we to suppose
tina, the pure air Of Colombia has impaired new
life and energy 10 the facu,ie, Of our great Nj
mister? Or mus, we think him, like tho Fourth
Auditor, to oe "heaven born" and, Of course,
able 10 accommodate his mind ls the sa ion
he fills? OF Mr.. Moore's prompti'ude," in
the way OF filling mail bags, and Of his capa.
city in the fsnking Of letters,we have abundant
Evidence. hui the President first informs Us thai