Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-07-16
Extract from Mr.. r. S. CoxE's Speech delivered
at the Peoples Fsstivai an Washmgton, on
Moadap, 5h of July.

ssDurine the late Presidential canvass, it was
;mpossible to ascertain the political opinions of
the successful candidate. They were cautiously
concealed, or expressed in terms Of studied amb-
guilty.: and he attained his elevation to the head
of this nation BY the votes of those who were ig-
norant whether or not he represented their wish
es and their interests.
"The consequences mis- hit have been foreseen,
except by those who with an honest creduliTy re-
posed their faith on those who claimed their con-
hdence II is not usual for men to conceal their
real opinions when they would be benefited by
diyulsing them. Concealment of itself affords
grounds for suspicion. A man who IS claimed
b. both parties "a friendly to their respective
views, would not disappoint an impartial observ-
er if he employed thelpower with which he was
entrusted 10 crush the hopes and blast the pros
poets of that majority which had invested him
with authority. But the deception has been prac
tised, and the people of these United States owe
it TO themselves, to their Country, and to their
posterity, to avengc the insult, to punish this
breach of trust The government has now been in
the hands of the present incumbent little more than
a twelye-month. and within the brief period how
much has been effected either for good OF for evil.
The studied cOncealment OF his views was de-
cepti0n practised upon generous ana conhding
people. He knew that an avowal OF the designs &
principles upon which he has recently acted would
ensure his defeat. ant ne concealed them. He
resolved to obtain the power. and then to employ
it. not fer the good Of those for whose benefit it
had been conferred.
.sIn the execution Of the high duties of his Of
flee, how has he acteds We, who are within his
immediate sphere of action. see daily and hour
" acts and proceedings the narration OF which
would be received with suspicion and distrust, IN
other portions of the country. He has introduc
ed relentless spirit of prosecuting prescriptions
alien to our institutions, and revolving to the COM
mon principles of humanity. Offices and emo
luments have been conferred upon protiisate and
venal calumniators and slanderers; and not only
havc the rewards been proportioned to the depth
of infamv in which these men had sunk, but in
their new situations they are called upon to pur-
sue their old and habitual avocatons. Never be-
fore was it seen in our country, that official docu
ments we're made the channels through which to
dole out personal abuse & gross maignity. 1t has
now become so common as to cease to awaken sur
prise. From the highest to the. lowest, SIAN
der is the food upon which their vileness feeds.
No opportunity is permitted to pass unimproved,
of clothing malighity and calumny with official
robes, and promnlgating libels upon those whom
1t is important 20 destroy.
ssThe press has been bought and hired through
out the land. That sensibility, so morbid, which
would detect, in the slightest connection between
government and a newspaper. incontrovertible
evidence Of designs upon our freedom and thee
purity Of institutions, boldly sets at defiance
all former professions, rewards printers in pro-
portion to their devotion to the cause, and binds
them to the car Of the Administration by all
those ties which can link together the servile and
unprincipled sycOphant. and the powerful dis.
burser Of official patronage.
Throughout our land doctrines are advanced
and sanctioned. calculated to fill with consterna-
ton aud dismay all who have not the most entire
confidence in the virtue and intelligence of the
people, the only permanent foundation of free
and republican institutions. We have seen the
plighted faith OF this great nation deliberately
surrendered to CRAFTY local ambition and private
cupiditv; and the wretched Indians, just taught
to know their rights-just familarized with their
duties-just able to appreciate the value of civil
izaticn and the blessings of christianity, made to
feel, by bitter experience, how far the seventies
Of savage war may be exceeded BY the tender
mercies of the white mans peace, and taught
to contrast the barbarisms of their heather doc
trines with the disinterested and pure morality
of he Christians practice. From an adjoining
portion Of our country we hear the sounds of dis
uuioa aid civil discord. The value of that con-
nection which has borne vs. triumphantly through