Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-05-11
TO The Editor ofMe .4ieraadria G., =,

SIR: No work has yet appeared profs..;.
give view of the political history Of this ''usS
try, since the organization Of the Fede,,II V W
vernment. This will appear not little s'r0 ~
ing, whether We consider the extreme ;u,ip 'H
which has been felt by the American peo aJ's'E
relation to this subject, or the intrinsic im,. u
ance of the changes which have taken nI,are 0'
the public mind; during this period, upon s,. IA
questions of National policy. The earIy h;S:,' H
of the country previous to the war of the rs ,t
ton, has been accurately made known ,L," OI'
the researches and industry of men fully c"us
tent TO the task which they undertook >'T TE
late work Of Pitkin has done very much tow, ~:
a full development of the state of the nnIu
mind, at an early period after the seuemrp u,S &c
the country, upon the interesting subjects If ~
ucation. and the civil an political rights wb :u
the colonies claimed. But since the adont,on "
tie Federal Constitution, it is necessary in ~ "
der to obtain knowledge of many imno ,r w.
political transactions, the influence of which ,.s
felt even at this day, to wade through mn s,s
pamphlets, not always within reach. and no:.
over the journals Of the times, which, give r J
torted statements, and throw false eoloia,
over events and the characters of public men
With respect TO the points OF difference, wb;.I
were the origin of the great parties, which A.
tracted and agtated the country to its ,ery cor
tire, who can precisely tell what they WERE.
Who can fix true value upon the character
of the different individuals, who from tims =
time, have been elevated to places Of power;'
Who can trace the various phases and ch,n,.
nj RI fnf hn, tho LEA
created SO much amnesty and bitter feeling h,y,
gradually disappeareds Or who can tell how
far the magic Of mere names. operated upon II.
feelings and opinions Of the people, and bcr
far resort was had TO low arts, for the purpo,,
of misleading those who were already far mssd
and of further tanning passion already kiaded
into flame" Upon all these points, mere trsJ
tionary knowledge, which mixes truth with false
hood, and hands down facts colored by preu
dice and passion, has usurped the place Of a,
theniic history.
But it is said we cannot rely upon coempon.
ry history, because it is more or less ,incvpt
with the fault of Partially. The absolute tnd
of historical facts. is rarely if ever attained
The influence of the prejudices and parialits
OF the day are felt to some extent even 10 remc.
ages; and whether we rely upon the statements
Of contemporary historian. or upon the nara |
tive of one who relates the transactions Of pre-
ceding century, our confidence IN either ese
must depend. upon the perfect honesty Of pu,
pose Of the author. While the facts are ire.h,
and the actors in the events are known, the "A,
cility with which misrepresentation can be de
tected, and the false colorng of prejudice expos
ed, is greatly increased, and greater correctnes
in work protesting to be impartial, may there
fore reasonably be expected. The task, to b
sure, would be delicate and difficult one
write such history Of parties as would saia
the American people. But such.a work canh
written. The author should possess a sound
discriminating judgment, united with perfect upf
ness & independence. Perfect correctness cam
be expected or attained, but the knowledge Will
such book would dffuse relative to the impOt
ant events which have marked the history Of De
country, and the characters OF public men, would
be productive of some vaIubIe results, while tn. +
floating and uncertain information which exist.
among the great mass of the community with re.
gard to the public transactions Of the last fiir
years, will lead to error and the perpetualOn d
party prejudice calumny. T.