Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-04-28
EDITORS CORRESPONDENTS.
Washington, .4pra &c, 1880.

lion of Hill and Kendall. Since then the SEN
have been engaged in the discussion of the In
Alan question. Mr.. Ffeliaghuyssa's able speech
,n,;nues to be read and admired. This gentle
man vas the college competitor of the late Sec
-,,,rv of the Navy, and sustained there high re-
.n,,ton for talent, which his late display in the
senate has established forever, His style ofora-
,ory is digniRed and impressive. The character
ofhis mind appears to be that of great acuteness
and profundity. In the course of au argument,
=, ,bole concentrated force seems to have di
,oct tendency to the point at issue, and when
.,u,ter,l proposition arises, he stops to consider
:, only as throwing more light upon the main
question. His object is never that of display
ia is one Of that class of orators who become
,0;moted with the interest of their subject, and
more or less powerful, in proportion as it appears
u,ora or less difficult. Mr.. Frelinghuysen's Ian
,,,0e Is always expressive, and he acquired, no
Io,bt. this ready faculty of communicating his
,bouUhts. by knowledge of the ancient classics,
nth which he is said to be familiar, and which
attribute greatly to our natural facilities. When
,crason offers itself. his eloquence is command
mo. and We may, perhaps, admire 1t the more,
N account of its flowing directly from the heart,
and without any apparent labor. Honesty is an
,,dispensable requisite in those who would con-
,rvl the public will, and command the umpir
,rc Of conflicting interests. This is one of the
MANY distinguishing traits in the political charac-
Ter of this gentleman, and in this he might have
welIyied with his friend and classmate, the late
Secretary Of the Navy. Yesterday Mr.. Sprogue
addressed the Senate on this question, and han
died it with great dextcrity and strength.
We have been inundated for some time past,
by the accounts which are daily flowing in from
abroad of the late celebration of Mr.. JEFFERsoN's
birth day. BY which it seems, that we who are on
the ground, know but little as yet of the proceed
lngs of that glorious feast. These accounts have
appeared in the form of letters, and are extract
ed from distant Journals, with which, no doubt,
nlny of them originated. The party purpose
10 which the dinner was made subservient, Is
Known to all. 1t was found impossible TO dis
guise it. The harmony which is said to have
prevailed, could not have been very credi;able,
when we are told that the members of the Penn
ylvania delegation, en- masse, rose and left the
table in disgust The introduction of Mr.. JET
gERsos's opinions into the Senate, made it i'm
pOrant that the first opportunity should be seiz-
ed, to place him in dignihed attitude before
the people. This was the whole secret. They
entertained no reverence for his memory: it was
amere pretext. They wished to elevate him as
Esh in the general estimation as might be, and
then to derive the origin of their own doctrines
from the party to which he belonged. But Mr..
JEFFERSON needed no assistance at their hands,
and to prove themselves related to the democrat
nprty of his day, was an attempt as ridiculous,
asst has proved abortve.
In Virginia, Mr.. Jefferson is well known-his
character Leeds no explanation; his opinions are
familiar to all. If the present aspirants for pow
erhOpe to influence her vote by attempts like
these, they are greatly deceived. Virginia Is not
to be won BY intrigue-she retains too much Of
me ancient character, to be diverted from the
great object, which has always engaged her at
ten'iOn. At the last election she supported Gen.
Jackson, it is true; but in doing so she pledged
herself to no party. She reserved the privilege
Of acting hereafter as the situation of the coun-
Try might require. Neither Calhoun nor an
brra have any claims upon her favor. The
staple fact of their being friends of the present
incumbent is not sufficient to ensure her VOTE
They will be judged of by their acts; through
te'e their usefulness must appear. With what
lace therefore, can they stand this test, when
one has already forfeited her support, and the
other is known only by his capacity for cunning
aud intrigue.
Let me now call your attention to an impartial
account Of the late celebration, from the pen OF
writer, the accuracy of whose details | am
sure you cannot fail to admire. After indulging
N astrain of the most extravagant commentator