Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-02-20
COMMUNICATIONS.

Mn. Enron: I am constant reader OF your
paper, which I begin and 60 regularly through
with. have done with the Gazette OF this
nornipg, and cannot but express my admlra-
ton OF the profoundness and length Of your cor
respondent Sulpitius."
The general scope Of my reading, Mr.. Editor,
has been so different Il suppose,) from tina, OF
Sulpi,ius, tina, feel quite incompetent to judge
Of the merits Of his profound specula'ions IN
political economy. There are some parts OF
his communication upon which l wish some
little light thrown; ard though would oy no
means insinuate that lac has taken Mr.. Secrefa.
~ Eaton for model, there are some parts
which appear 10 bear a srong resemblance, TO
what the New-York Commercial calls, the re-
troeade or cart befure- the>horse style, Of thai
distinguish shed functionary.
"This unkindness to American Industry, would be
incorrect, if the powers granted by the Constitution
were not intended provide for it ehershng protec
tion,"
The above sentence is perfectly Ineligible,
if you will only apply the rule adopted il The
Senate Of Maine, hat is, read il backwards, or,
rather, reverse his proposition, viz: This KIND
NESS 10 American industry would be correct, II
the powers granted by The Constitution Uers IN
tended to provide for i, cherishins protection.
My reading, as observed before, sir, has
been in different train, having been light
and Observation-Disclosures pondrrous ZONES OF po-
litical economy, Sc. having been always dis
tasteful, while the more fascinating novel, or
light essay has been my delight From this cause
perhaps, l am not qualified judge Of the value
of such profound & solid ESSAYS as those Of Sui
piias. Fine thoughts snowy images, chaste stsle
is therefore with me he chief merit Of . writer;
and though have, unfortunately, ne, been able
10 acquire them, can feeliheir beauties in Others,
and be sensible Of the want Of them in my own.
But, to return 10 Sulpi,ius-wi'l the erudite
author be pleased to snligh;eD my ignorance
with respect TO the following:
offence. is inexpedent foreign trade BY I'LL.
bera measures; nor is that necessary evidence
Congress is mindful and is not negecfu of rightful
attention all measures that will to maturity
hume manufactures; and they should not be kept in
the back ground by the sscendency of foreign superb
ori'y will be expedient to charge foreign industry
with revenue that will provide fiscal income abun.
dainty sufficient to pay the debts, to provide for armies
and naves for the common defence, and to provide for
the general welfare, by accommodating internal trade
with good roads and canal navigatoni which will. so
long we have national deb to pay require
not less then p millions Of dollars; aud to that a.
mount foreign trade may be taxed without transcend
ing the rule Of moderation; and should be expected
a tax foreign commerce, thai will produce many
millions. will be an expedient encouragement of M.
tional manufactures"
Pass we over the argument, or subject mat.
ter, Of this paragraph, (Which, If properly de-
composed, would show an abundance OF pure
and precious ore from the mine of ,houghr,) 10
the the style, which is the chief object with me
in all my reading "Coogres is mindfol and
is no, forge,fui," crates as horribly on nv ear
as the setting and filing Of wood saw; and
would remind SulpiriSs, that the muIUpIics-
lion Of words or epi heis, TO express the samr
idea can only 6e tolerated il i, add 10 he b-au-
~ Of the style, or the euphony Of tho langu. &c.
Another small defect in this sentence, and whiG h
has perhaps unavoidably escaped the notice of
the writer, (the profundity of his speculations
ab,trse,ing his attention from the graces Of
style is tins; II is too long AND too compile ate
for the comprehension Of superficial readers
like myself who apt 10 forge, the FIRST
member Of the sentence before they arrive a,
the conclusion, and are thereby lost in a lsby.
rin'h Of words.
Again mus, beg leave to trouble Sulpitius
for an txplanation.-
elf direct prohibition has not been the avoved poli.
cy Of Congress, system has been some what favored
that might have that tendency and Ia, BEEN without
the intention OF Congress, silent tar MASTER without
securing to native industry the advantages expected
Is il" direct pFohibi,iop," or 10 il system"
&c. that has been silent tax master!" Itis
quite unimportant which of these it is--lhs
term tax master" struck me as novel, and yet
no, graceful Would it no, have been NOR.
neatly expressed by the usual term tax ga,herer!
trust, Mr. Editor, your correspondent, will
pot take offence.-I a,,sck none Of his positions
Il attempt not TO reiute any Of hi. argu nen,s.
Style, STYLE sir, is my emily object: and if l eau
prevail upon writer OF such gigantic powers
Cal n adj Iurn i'll a.
,race., surely it will be praiseworthy and pat,
'ioiis.
But, 10 be serious-ihere 10 much intrinsical-
y good and solid in he reasoning Of The last
paragraph; aud would advise Sulpitius TO eul.
iva,e 'he graces OF s!yle. arrange hi. ideas in
learer order. rVoia ln,erminable sentences and
au iologie al epithes, aud he will stand better
nance Of being romprehended, and perhaps
dmired. ANTI-EATON. 4.
February rs, 1880.
No. III. Jr