Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-06-09
ALEXANDRIA, ID. G..
THURSDAY MORNING. JUNE g. 1881,

the monarch is sometimes law, or where the pow
or Of government is stronger than the authority
Of Justice, is fcckoned great public safeguard.
1t has been known to curb the passions OF des-
pots-to awe the insolence of office-to infuse
saluary fear OF the people in the breasts OF those
who would otherwise have become their oppresS-
or. Supplying the place OF mere physical ener-
nv, its moral force has eftectually prevented the
farther encroachments of designing and ambi-
tious asprants. If its power aud influence are
SO great, however, where it is restrained and
frowned upon-where it is shackled and comfy
ed, how potent and powerful. how mighty must
it be, where il Is left free and unconflned where
its silent and unseen, but ail-conqnering course,
is accelerated by correct opinions OF rational IL
berty. Justly, 10 country whore it is thus stu
atcd, has it been called the palladium of liberty
1t i, the fulcrum on which rests the moral lever
which is To turn the world. But if its power Is
tremendous, unfortunately ii can be directed to
the worst as well as the best of purposes Ill
/" the artillery which can pour It's volies upon
crne:'' it may be turned against virtue. 1t
should uphold the laws, and preserve the liberties
of the penple-but it may destroy the one anG
subvert the other. The first duty of the patriot.
then, should be to preserve with vsstal vigilance
lis purity and virtue; to guard the avenues to 1t
from corrupion; and to keep unsultled It's re-
putatiun. We must have confidence in the SEN
inels ON the ranparts, or the garrison within
will be in worse condition than ii there were
none If they are false to their duty. or can be
ulled to sleep at their post, where are we to
look for safety? But what is still more to be
dreaded, if they can be bribed to betray their
trust-if they can sell their honor for gold, and
be induced to sacrifice honesty for Office or emo
lunent, the cause Of the people is indeed sloo
nv, and overspread with g shadows, clouds and
darkness"
We are very naturally led to these reflections
by the current OF passing events. That an effort
has been made by the present Administration to
CORRUPT the Press of this county, we firmly
believe. At any rate, 1t is most apparent that
the direct and inevitable tendency of the mea-
surcs pursued, is to such result. Those who
pursue these measures must be held responsible
for their scope and design.
Our own views, with regard to the appointment
! of Editors to office, have on several occasions
been presented to our readers: They are briefly
thcse.-We do not think that Editors should be
excluded from Office because they are Editors
That would be unjust and oppressive. They are
equally entitled. with the rest of their fellow
and in the profits of public employment. With
capacity, industry and honesty, we see no rea-
son why they should not be favored with execu-
tive smiles along with others of different profess
sons. But we do not think that the mere fact of
being partizau editor entities man TO an office
under Government: II this is his only recon-
rnendation, it is very sorry one, and no patriot
| President would recognize its validity. How
stands the case at present! We see that ere
wards have been lavishly bestowed upon editors
as a class, and ayowedly on the grounds of their
devotion TO party, and thersexertions in the re-
cent political contest. We have not at hand a
list of the rewarded; but, if are not mistaken,
there are now seventy or eighty editors paid out
Of the public treasury and employed in different
situations under government. Mark, too, the
manner in which these rewards have been distri-
buted-and the corrupt design becomes more APP
parent. In Boston, for instance, three persons
connected with violent party newspaper there,
have all obtained lucrative situations. A wretch
from Kentucky. who sold his soul some years
ago, and who conducted press there. has been
brought to cOntaminate the air at Washington
with his presence, and disgrace the Office which
he holds Another partZan editor. from New
Hampshire, has been brought to Washington and
received his reward. Some are allowed, while
holding their Offices, still to edit their papers
like true Swiss, fighting for their pay Some of
low grade, whose characters would not bear the
light, have been provided with retreats among the
Indians, or in the western wiIds; where, like
unclean birds, they can, unseen, batten upon
the spells of victory. Such is the upenviabIe
condition TO which the character of the Press is
reduced under the present Executive! The
number Of the rewarded-the nature of their
rewards, and the manner in which the rewards
have been bestowed, all prove conclusively the
truth of the position with which we set out. II
has been a complete system of bargain and sale:
a good and valuable consideration in return for
services rendered: a transfer of office for par,i-
IAN services. There is hardly State in the
Union where editors have not been "boIsht up'
by this present immaculate.! Administration; so
that the Press is to be taken by a coup de main.
and editors formed into Prsetorian cohort to
carry their fa.oirte iato the Presidential chair,
"a Ell aymis.
IN addition to all this, however, we have other
facts conclusively showing the corrnpting efforts
Of those in power. The dssraceful fact has
lately been promulgated, and not denied, that
General Jackson himself, quitting the sphere of
hi, hiub dut;,a hos iod tn