Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-08-17

George Canning in his heart was thoroughly hoe-
raj; that the STRINGS of ambition and the neces-
sites of his early life, made him compromise with
A corrupt system which his unprejudiced feelings
condemned; that, in fine. he had lent his talents
To pid its baseness, and was too deeply Commit
ted TO appear as a Reformer, without an entire
forfeiture of character. This we believe to be
the true kew to the Inconsistencies of Mr.. Can
nino,s poli,tcal life. Mr.. Huskisson was, in the
first part of his career, a Wing. or Republican;
in the second, sa!aried defender of the 6 wis
dom of our ance stors;" and when, near the close
his DAYS, he was thrust out OF power, sasacl-
Gus reader Of his speeches might discover tne
skirts and lappets of his old Republican tune
pceping out from under the more modlsli saro
which he had worn in middle life. But his ca
reer was so similar TO Mr. CannnsS, that details
are unnecessary.
We might dwell on the particulars of the Earl
of Chatham life, who. when 10 power, prrhe
all he could by the corruption which he !iaa de-
claimed against in opposition. Even the wings
Of 1906, though they retired from oihce with 'he
dignity of martyrs, did not entirely escape con-
Elimination: they were accused of permitting
some Jobs, and Of doing little and intending little
in favor of the peoples cause. The fact is, that
in order to effect some good, they found 1t neces.
to work with the impure tools which thcl" prede-
cessors had prepared to theg hands.
What, then, will be the Judgment of impartial
posterity as to Burke, Pitt, Canning, and hus.
kisson: That they were all men of powerful
minds, who loved liberty, and would have been
happy to be Ministers under such a system as
the new Bill will confer upon us; but finding
corruption too strong for them. they stihed their
convictions, deserted their principles, and be-
came the advocates Of a system which they detest-
ed 10 their hearts. Their feelings and their un-
Outstanding were in the right, but their virtue
was rot firm enough TO make the sacrifices which
| freedom then entailed On her supporters This
is our sincere opinion; and if it be correct, are
we not warranted to say, that our corrupt system
has proved snare to the consciences, and ruined
the reputation of our public menl
Will it be said that the memory Of these men
suffers, and will suffer, merely because they were
party leaders?' We deny it; and we appeal to
the fa,e Of Washington, Jefferson. Madison and
Monroe. These statesmen were even more furi-
ousIy and rancorousIy libelled during their Off
cal existence than any Of the British Ministers
we nave named; but how different is their uiti-
mate reputation! We need not refer to future
times; for public opinion has already pronounced
on the merits Of the American statesmen. Those
still living who were their bitterest enemies, now
confess that though they sometimes erred in judy
ment, their hearts were sound; that they never
Suppressed their genuine opinions, nor sought
wealth and Office at the expense of principle; that
their virtue moral agents is unsullied, and their
tame as patriots without cloud! Perhaps they
we're not much better men Washington always
excepted); but human virtueIs thing of degrees,
ard it was their happiness to live under system
\ ,,b i,.o.- H.
permitted Minister to be an honest man..
Sir II. Peel adds another to the regulations which
have been wrecked, or almost wrecked, by bad in.
stitutions. He has apractcal understanding of
the very first class; but he unfortunately entered
public life through the avenue of Protestant as.
cendancy," which was then the portal to power
and influence. Imagine the shapeless leg and
splay foot Of negro substituted for one of the
limbs of the Apollo, and you have picture of
incongruity presented by Sir Roberts senlle big.
otry on the one subject, placed in juxta-position
with ideas SO eminently sound and rational upon
all others. Luckily for himself he cast of this
moral excrescence at the very nick of time to save
his character from ruin. But now comes Re
form, and Sir Robert must make another sacri-
flee. or have his political reputation consigned TO
the tomb of the Capulets. If the question were
to be hung up for twenty years, it would be easy
to string together common places about the "wis-
dom of our ancestors, and the peril of "untned
theories" which might pass for profound wisdom
with such assemblies as Sir Robert has been &C.
customed TO address; but when Reform is actual
ly carried, and seen in operation, dispensing the
blessings of peace, contentment, security, and
fostering habits Of good order, increased industry
and improved morality, this miserable sophistry
will be entirely out of date.
Z" Its name. its nature, wi,hered from the world"
A belief in the virtue of rotten boroughs and sham
elections will then sit as ridicuIousy on States.
man as belief in witchcraft at this day. Weak
men will wonder at their past decisions; and
cunning men will lay aside the wisdom of our
ancestors" and take to some other topic better fit
ted to supply materials for receptions. Sir Rob-
ert's position, as regards Reform, was in some
measure fortunate. He had never BROAD decIar-
ed himself till the Bill was brought in. But it,
erS soripfs maaeat, and It stands on record that
Sir Robert, in an unguarded hour, called the
Bill revolution, new constitution. and many
other hard names. II he abide by this way Of
thinking, in one year he must be laid on the Shelf
as q Statesman. He mirht with canal safety no