Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-07-14
COMMUNICATIONS.

mr.. Editor: I send YOU the annexed extract
from valuable work which was peruslns tins
,norniuo. and which IL struck me might serve as
nseful lesson to a certain great parsonage, should
il by chance fall ;nto his hands. -
From this example, of a judicous diStrust. OF
,he vile class of informers and strict exan'na-
ZION of their charges, before condcmninS the Oh
;ect of them, he wOald see the deiormity OF the
opp0site course, and would have to admit, that rs
the depository of the power OF millions oil Tree,
men, he might learn moderation, wisdom and
Justice, from one who welded the uncontrolled
power Of an ancient despOtsm' \.
From Poiin,s .q,.cieat History Book. 4th chapter
4n-Mun,rs and Customs Of the .4ssyria's,
&C. SC. Section Sd.
:. But one important and essential rule which
they THE Persiansl observed in their judgments,
was, in the first place, never to condemn any
person without bringing his accuser TO his iace,
and without giving HIM time, aud all other means
necessary, fSr defending himself against the az
ticles laid to his charge; aud in the second place,
&c the person accused was found innocent, to in
fict the very same punishment upon the accuser
a. the other would have suffered had he been
found guilty.
:. Artaxerxes gave fine example OF the Just
yigor which ought 10 be exercised on such occa-
sions.
..One of the Kina's fayones, ambitious Of
getting place possessed OF one OF his best ot.!-
Gers. endeavored to make the King suspect the
fidelity of that officer; aud to that end, seat IN
tornat;1n 10 Court fall of calumnies against him
--persuadng himself that the King, from the
GREAT credit he had with his Majesty, would be-
eve the thing upon his bare 'cor, without further
examination. For such is the general chArac-
ter Of calumniators; they ace afraid of evil
dence and light; they make it their business 70
shut out the innocent from all access TO the
Prince, and thereby put it out of their power to
yindicate themselves. The officer was imprson-
ed: but he desired the King, before he was con-
demned. that his cause might be heard, anti his
accusers produce their evidence against him.
1.-The King did So and as there proot
b,, IRE tcifrfs toh;ch his enemies had scriHea
against him. he wa cleared, and his innocence
fify justified BY the three commissioners that
sat upon his trial; all the Kings indignation fell
uDon the per6dious accuser, who had thus at
tempted to abuse the favor and confidence Of his
rOval master.
This Prince was very wise, and knew that
one Of the true signs Of prudent Government
was to have the subjects stand more IN fear OF tine
laws than Of informers; would have thought that
10 have acted otherwise than he did wou!d have
been direct violation Of the most common rules
Of natural equity and humanity; 4 ,coldi hare
been opening d0or 10 enry, hatred, c0t,'mlg and
rsrea@e; il would have heen exposing good and
faithful servants To the cruel malice of de'eS05e
iafor,ners, and armins them with the Slcord Of
3)1tIiic authority; in q word, 1t would have been
slivestinnr the chrome Of the most noble privilege
belonging 10 it-namely, OF being sanctuary
for iaaoceRcs and justice, against riotence and ca
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