Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-05-04
{. ALGERNON SYDNEY"


The publisher of these admirable letters, says
the Baltimore Patriot, prefixes to them an able
and we'll written article by way Of introduction,
from which we subjoin an extract. We have al
ready expressed an opinion OF the merit and quail
ity of the Letters; and we think the reader who
gives it an attentive perusal throughout Will IN
cline to think with us, that the Introduction Is not
unworthy of the post it occupies. 1t Is an eio-
quent composition-written with much force ana
true feeling; and though it may not equal the pa
pers of Sydney, certainly does honor to the pen
from which it proceeds. Altogether, we conSld-
er the pamphlet, both in matter and manner as
possessing high claims to public attention. It's
one which may be read with much advantage by
others than the mere politician. And we cannot
but view Mr.. White the publisher as performing
signal service. at once to the cause of letters
and to that of human right, by presenting it in
this form to his countrymen.
Extract from the Publishers Preface.
A large portion of the reading public in Virgin
ia, will well recollect the strong sensation excit-
ed in the winter of 1888, by the appear."ye
of the following letters under the signature OF
.AIgernon Svdney.'' The uncommon perspicu
ity and elegance which distinguish them as iftera-
nv compositions, no less than the ardent love OF
liberty which breathes through every line, attract
ed towards them an unusual degree of popular
favor, and although confined TO the fleeing CO.
lumns of a newspaper, they were every where ca
gerly sought after, and III some instances careful
" preserved as models of fine writing and sound
patriotism. The publisher believes that he can
not render more acceptable service, than TO
present these invaluable letters to the public in
less perishable form. and in doing this, it is pro-
per for him to say, that he has Deen 50 fortunate
as to prevail upon their distinguished author to
revise and correct some inaccuracies which were
found in the original publication. 1t is also just
to remark, that so far and no further, has that
gentleman aided or participated in the present
edition. Tissues from the press on the sole res
possibility and by the exclusive agency OF the pub
Usher.
1t NAV be asked why send forth these letters
at this late period, when the occasion which Or
iginay produced them has passed away, and the
individual whose conduct they so eloquently ar
raigned. has not only been tried at the bar ofpu5
lie opinion and acquitted. but has actually re-
eeived the highest reward in the gift of the A.
merIcan people. To thisit1nay be replied in the
first place, that Truth is eternal and machangea-
BILE, and though for time it may be despised,-
trodden down and vanquished, it is contrary 10
the Divine Justice to suppose it can ever be final
y annihilated. In other ages and countries it
has survived innumerabc perils, --defied thecom-
binatons of fraud and tyranny, the terrors of the
rack and gibbet, and has even triumphed over the
flames and tortures of the Inquisition. 1t is un-
reasonable therefore to imagine, that in this free
country, and at this enlightened day, it can sink
the victim of momentary popular deluslon.-
Error and Crime. through all their artfui disgui-
ses,-by whatever names miscalled,-are still err
ror and crime. Neither brilliant success-nor
prosperous fortune, can sanctify orredeem them.
In the second place, the letters of 6. Algernon
Sydney like those of the immortal Junius, do
not exclusively depend for their excellence upon
the particular transactions they record. Like
those of the great English Unknown. they will
be preserved as specimens of noble simplicity in
style-as well as powerful and unanswerabIe rea-
soning. They deserve to be considered as chaste
models in diction. which the rising generations
will delight to study, and which if successfully
initiated will teach them to shun the Astounding
errors of false ornament and extravaganza. The
publisher would be restrained by sense of his
own incompetency alone, from pralsing these
admirable productions as they deserve. Fortu-
nately for him the task is as usees as il would be
difficult. 1t would be like '.gidng refined gold,
painting the lily, or throwing perfume on the
violet.''