Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-05-11
ALEXANDRIA, ID. c.
,rE1yEsDsY MqRyLNG. NAY II. 1851

We are beginning, now, to look for news
from Eurone. with no little anxiety-and the de-
Law of the packets is matter OF regret to others
besides the dealers in -four and grain. The Stu
alton of Europe, at the date OF the last advlces'
was 80 interesting, as far as future prospects are
concerned, that we feel regret at not being able
to know the finale of the drama which has been
in progress since last July. 1t cannot be long
before we are gratifed.
History presents US with the names OF monsters
elevated TO power, and welding their power tor
the basest purposes and in the most cruel man
ner; but generally attaches to their characters
some redeeming quality-some bright trait. to
render more remarkable by contrast the general
blackness. There are, to be sure, exceptions
There are names around which no ray OF light
fals-with which no human soul can delight
and to which no solitary tribute of praise or es-
TEEN was ever paid The Everlasting seems to
have set his seal of displeasure upon their minds,
and stamped them with eternal disgrace. One
of these we believe to be the present KING of
Portugal. As far as his character is developed,
we see no reason to refuse him niche in
the Temple of Infamy, alongside of Nero and
Caligula, though we should hesitate in CHASING
him with Richard. The course of his life seems
to have been marked by succession OF crueltles,
aud his footsteps are tracked in the blood of his
subjects. If injustice has been done Miguel by
partizans. We are sorry to have formed an erro-
neous estimate of his character; but with our
present knowledge, we must continue to think
him the beau ideal Of tyranny and cruelty. In
deed we can hardly conceive, in these modern
days, when civilization has gone abroad over the
world, and Christianity has shed its benign and
softening influences over the hearts of mankind,
Of King so utterly depraved and detestable -
He stands in naked deformty before the eyes of
the world-a King;-but a king so begrimed and
BACKED that we turn, with loathing, from the
spectacle of royal baseness. The beautiful coun-
try over which he holds the rod of misrule might
with monarch capable of approaching his own
situation and consulting the happiness of his
people, once again blossom as the rose. With
the shackles Of his oppression, however, upon
her people -she must yet set in sackcIoth and
ashes, mourning her own degradation and lament
ing her hard fortune.
| The extent of the Charleston Railroad-com-
mencing at that city and running TO the Savan-
nah river, at point near the Augusta bridge
is one hundred and thirty-6ve miles. 1t appears
from the annual report Of the Company, made
on Monday last, that eighty miles of the Road
are under contract, and that offers to construct
part of the remainder are now under considera-
ton.
The Washington Correspondent Of the United
States Gazette correctly remarks, that there ne
yer has been before this day, an administration,
the members of which were personally unpopular
in the District. However many OF US have differ
ed from them, in political views, still they were
courteous bland and gentlemanly in their private
and public intercourse with the citizens. There
was nothing about them mean and contemplate,
nothing which placed them below that point where
personal respect ceases. But which is not the
case now.
4 memorial has been issued by number Of
the citizens of Fredericksburg, Va. soliciting
subscriptions towards fund for the erection of
tomb over the remains of the mother of Wash
lngton. 1t is IaudabIe and patriotic undertake
ing, and as such will meet with favor. The fol-
lowing is paragraph from the memorial
1.-The undersigned inhabitants Of the town of
Fredericksburg, and State of Virginia, being
committee appointed for that purpose. to their
felow-citizens throughout the United States re-
specially representa-
"That Mrs. Mary Washington, the mother of
the lllustrious George Washington, was for ma.
ny years an inabitAnt of this town; that she died
here, and was Inferred in our immediate vicni-
ty, where her remains now lie: that the field
which contains her humble grave is used for agri-
cultural purposes, and that the grave itself is un
honored and almost unknown; that the present
liberal and high minded proprietor, notwithstand-
ing the interesting associations with which it is
connected; and which are of necessity commune
Gated to his domain, has at once renounced the
influence Of selfish feelings, and will zealously
cooperate with US in procuring proper and per-
manent asylum for these revered relics, aware
that however pious the care which is now exerted
for their protection, the period must in process of
time arrive when the ploushshare and the harrow
will oblterate every remaining trace of her who
bore and reared George Washington-the nurse
of bis infancy, and architect of his character.
"They would farther represent that the mem
bers of the Presbyterian church of this place,
with the aid of their fellow citizens here, and
elsewhere. are about to erect new house of wor-