Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-06-11

yield rather than to contradict. lie that seeks
to be useful, must first render himself accepta-
ble.. Mr.. Van B. succeeded in the one and the
other came as consequences. The President
enough inferred that So much Difference
could not but be the fruit of good sense, and i'll
time made the new depository of his affections.
the JOINT sharer Of his power. Zeal and deXte-
rity soon caused the shares to be Unequal. De.
ference now was no longer necessary. Official
precedence was easily effaced, aud, by insensible
gradations, the former prinoipal sunk into the
present coadjutOr and ally. Over this state
of things, natural enough, if not acceptable
pass as rapidly as can. The nation may
not pass it over as rapidly. The developments
connected with the Calhoun correspondence
would seem to give different augury.
This, believe, is the history of Mr. Van Blu
rem; a man of eminent endOwments-of useful
ness of certain s0rt-where such usefulness
is Ieouired; but, | know not that ever heard
that he was beloved; or-except by the Presl'
dent of the United States and MIR. Rltchle-
much trusted. Personally, know little OF him.
have understood that his temper was mid. !
have never heard that he pursued his enemies, 1t
he has any, with more than certain degree OF
rancor. In fact, his political life (Which Is his
whole life) has so blended friends and foes tose-
Their, as to leave him but one fee!ing-and that
an uncertain One-tOwards either.
Another of these dignitares was Mr.. Eaton
"A gentleman whose properties seem to be the
tit subjects for Microscope. In the fecundity
of our sister states of recent birth, one of the
hes, properties is overlooked-ther rapid etfusion
of Great Men! 1t pleased the citizens of Ten
nessee to create Mr., Eaton Major of their Mi
Iitia. The choice did honor to their discernment.
The exisencies of the post Tailed exactly with
IA. canacitv nf he incumbent \ lie N no
GREETED that, after SO eminent success, they
we're induced even to 20 beyond it. But the
Majors proves in the ANNUAL musters ushered
him into the Senate of the United States; where,
as at Fly in Amber, there must have been
not little surprise at his place and notorlety.
But even beyond these, the Major had his aspi
rations. The training field and the Senate Cham
Der were left behind him, and he sought new lau-
res in the regions of elegant literature. So tar
as Tennessee forms part OF the Republic of Let
tiers, he was successful; aud, in fact, except
Ing little looseness in grammar, the Majors Ell
forts pass of pretty well every where. His SEN
fences do not always convey meaning, but 1t may
be urged in justification that there may not al
ways have been in the mind of the writer mean
ing to convey. In photography he has generally
been successful. The eminence thus derived
from the national bulwark, from the Senate, and
letters, brought him into the ADMINISTRATORS
head of the Department of War. Itnade him one
of the successors of Mr.. Calhoun He should
have died the dav after he received the appoint.
ment! For his repose. and for that of the friend
who placed him there, will consider that he
did die.
Another stone in this tesselated pavement IS
Mr.. Insham-a man ardent in mind, cold in man
ner-indicating little, promising less, perfurming
aIv hy anI aIu
ing nothing except from its tendency to practical
result In the Congress of the United States, he
was rather plint Fappui than an adroit conba-
tant; but, from the Legislative Halls, he brought
to the Executive Department, store of knowl-
edge-aIlo Of which was valuable, because all could
be applied. In the discharge Of official duty. lie
was impartial and laborious. HIS mind was COM
petent to the grasp of great principles, and not
above the subordinate labor of bringing them Down
and applying them. think have not done more
than justice to Mr.. Ingham. Yet with these ha.
bits of office and their successful result known to
the Administration, and acknowledged by it, the
presses devoted to the interests of part of it,
teemed with assaults upon Mr. Ingham--and they
we're listened to by the common head. This urges
oddly for unity of councils !-A strange attendant
this upon ssdisinteresteh devotion to the public
goods! The next is indisputable. leave the
commentary to lovers OF political truth and con-
sistency
Mr.. Branch too has mingled with the parent
mass. Branch is honest man; but he was not
the material out Of Inch to make Secretary of
the Navy. We misunderstood the great national
institution 5sar watch he presided, and in turn
was misouaey TODD by it. He could not have
been warped - wrong, but he often mistook the
risht 4, Governor Of Florida, or possibly as
Postmaster General, he might have sustained the
credit Of respectable powers, without the invidi-
Gus reHe.t or that he lacked the higher ones.
The Attorney General was formerly an attache
to the Administration, rather than an integral part
Of il; but the transactions Of the last two years.
have placed that officer to the centre than
the extremity. The President and, through HIM,
certain of the Secretaries-ether in their zeal to
be right-or their ignorance Of what right was
caused MIR. Berrien to hold no sinecure. They
seemed to make the Iabryinth for the sake Of
touching the clue. This gentleman. in many res.
poets, had the advantage of his fellows His pol
itics were of popular sort; and as they were
not apt to be acceptable to either party, where the
more likely to be his own. He announced him.