Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-08-31
ALEXANDRIA. b. {.
WEDNESDAY MoRHiNG. AUGUST 81. 1851

The political condition of our country, and
its situation with reference to the other powers
of the earth, render it at once an object OF So
icitude to the world as well IS Of pride, JOYS and
watchful jealousy to our own citizens. That its
interests are vast and diversified government
of extensive powers deicately adjusted-its peo-
ple numerous, industrious, intelligent and en-
tcrprising-its foreign relations every way I'M
portant--its domestic affairs vitality interesting
and IFS whole character attractive and command
ing, are truths of which every one must be sensl-
bic. To conduct the affairs OF government
thus powerful-impoi tant-and peculiarly STU
ated requires skill. energy, talent, learning ex
pe.:ence, probity, virtue and honor. This Is a
truth also, of which every one should be equally
sensible.
An experiment Has been tried. The people
have placed at the head Of the government, man
inexperienced. passionate. with evil propensi'ies
and habits, and with no qualification except, # in
deed, it can be called qualification. his militia
nv career. and chiefly his one single victorious
battle Elevation to power, has set out IN bold
relief, the worst points in his character, and CON
firmed our fears of his disposition and ntcllect.-
VIVA. have we seen, aud to what have we been
reduced? A hidcous prescription, disgusting and
unrelenting, has marked his career. He has wan
tonly and unfcelnely sacrificed talents and vir-
tue, for the exercise Of the sacred right OF OPT
Mon and the freedom of speech. His satellites.
urging hun on to the miserable work Of party
punishment, have SCRUBBED not to steep the last
crust of poverty in the tears of the wife and chill
dren, and unfeelinsly turn upon the cold charity
of the world, men grown grey in the public SER
vice. With a refinement of tyranny. We have
seen the holy ties Of kindred and relationship
urged as reasons for expulsion from Office,
and the political opinions Of the father, used as
sins, and visited upon the heads of the children,
| In the amount of misery which this prescription
has occasioned, it is bad enough, but its results
and consequences in other respects, are still
worse. Topu,ish politically, is tyrannicaI and
an,irepubican, but to REGARD politically, is
base, demorailzing and corruptng. Fur the first
time since the organization of the government,
the treasury has been thrown out like dead car
case, to be fed upon by the cormorants and jack
alls who have lowered over or followed after the
march of the victorious party. With what ca
gerness they have - snufed up their prey" and
how unerrngy they have ppuuced upon it, has
been seen with disgust by the people.
| 1.-THE lean dogs beneath the wall,
IL. floir Iy.l.
| And they lszly mumbled the bunes of the dead,
| When they scarce could rise from the spot where
they fed;
| So well had they broken lingering fast
With those who had allen for that Shrs repast "
| IF our eyes Ioathe this spectacle where can we
turn for relief! Have we not found the President
surrounded by a screw" of the most abandoned
associates? IIoldiog "sweet converse" with the
most disreputable personages in society. Have
We not seen him buying up editors by wholesale:
Have we not seen him Conforming the authority
and disresarding the advice Of the Senate-in-
terfering through his subordnates with the state
elections, and meanly chaftering about his own
nominations? Has he not violated his pledges and
set at pousht his solemn promises? Did he not
form cabinet which his own friends now ac-
knowledge was disgrace to the country? Has
he not in the most high handed manner called the
second officer Of the Government to account for
daring to question his conduct during the Semi
mole war. Is he not proved to be weak and WI
ling tool of desperate faction about his house.
and finally, to omit the other sins of omission and
commission which crowd upon the mind, have e
not seen, through him, the nation and its institu-
tions degraded in consequence of the desperate
attempt to regulate the private intercourse OF So
cety. and force upon the community woman OF
doubtful fame and more than suspected charac-
ter? Such is the President of the United States!
Such i, the man who fills the chair once occupied
bv WAsHIxeTox! But had we any right to ex-
pect any thing betterl Was not his election pre-
dicted as CURSE. Did not his previous life
show him to be a man Of the most deprayed ma
turc--hls temper as yio'ent-his judgment as
weak? Was /, net shown that lie was shameful
IS ignorant and ili,eratp--that his moral charac-