Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-10-12

Z WI 80
dress to the People of the United States, which
was adopted by the National Anti Masonic Con-
~vention, recently held in Baltimore. This adj
dress is understood to be from the peu Of Myron
HolIey, Of New York. 1t Is a composition
uniting great eioquence Of expression with depth
of Thought, and IS characterised in many of Its
portions, with a purity Of principle amt business
of view, to which candid and rejecting men OF
all parties, cannot fail to subscribe. We pass
over the debateable portions, connected with Ma
sorry and Auti-Masonry. But, this question
aside-who can gainsay the s%ubjoiued sketch
or withhold his assent from the fidelity of the pic
ture which it presents, of the qualities which
should distinguish aud and adorn a President OF
the United States? The sketch, so we'll defined,
of what a President ought to be, is indeed allur-
ing. Would that it were realized. How utter
ly unlike the present incumbent!-BaA Pm.'
..The qualities, which should be possessed,
by every President of the United States, are the
most estimabie that can adorn a man. lie should
be Industrious. No great end OF human lite eau
be obtained without great eff'r Every thing
which is good in the character and condition OF
man, is progressive. and cannot be OTHERWISE
knowledge, virtue, safety, happiness, are attain
ments. not gifts, nor inheritances. They are
the slowly maturing, but precious fruits OF exer.
ton; not the capricious or unsought bounties OF
earth or heaven. Free government, the most
complicated and expansive good that can spring
from human efforts, has not been acquired, and
cannot be preserved, without perpetual and siren
uous e~xertion. The Chief Magistrate OF this 70
vernmenu must, therefore, be willing and accns-
toned To labor. Honest labor is always hOnora-
BILE. In the President of the United States, 1t
is most honorable, because his labor Is consecrat-
ed TO the noblest purposes that can be advanced
bv human means, and requires the employment
of the highest qualities that can animate the soul.
"He should be intelligent. The objects and pro-
! visions of our government, IN all Its relations both
foreign and domestic-the sources OF its power
and the means of its support-the history OF Its
origin. its establishment, its trial, and its fruits,
are topics of inquiry and meditation more preg-
nant with valuable instruction, to the genuine
friends of man, than all others supplied by civil
records. They are themes Of enlightened examl-
nation, discussion, and admiration. every where.
And the most respectable nations OF the world
are now agoniZing to disabuse themselves OF their
ancient. burthensome, and unequal institutions,
for the sake of following our example. 10 un'
derstand these topics, will well repay the efforts,
it NAV cost to every mind. 1t is an essential part
of the education of every freeman. In him, who
is entrusted with the most responsible application
of all the knowledge they Unfold, to the holy pur-
poses of rishttul order and social advancement,
it is equally the dictate of duty, seif-respcct, and
honorable ambition. to understand them famillarl,y.
and in all their details. Such understanding can
be obtained, only by d~illigent study, deep rellec.
ton, candid observation, wise intercourse, and
practical experience.
she should be honest. His conduct should
be a perfect exempiidcation of the solemn claims
of truth and right, in all his communications and
influences, and of the ~strictest fidelity to the pre-,
scribed duties of his office. His manners should
be plain, direct, and cordial, both in his official
and private relatlons-the transcript of an up
right, pure and benevolent mind, and suitable to
aid in the accomplishment Of all his grave and ex'
allied functions.
ssThe greatest crime, which can be committed
against freemen is the usurpation OF power. II
should be deemed the objectionable sin OF Re
publics. 1t has been the untathomable deep i'll
which all the footsteps Of liberty, in other coun'
tries, have been swallowed up, in all ancient and
modern times To it, the highest place of dele
gated power affords both the most temptation, and
the most probable means of success. Whoever
fills that place should, therefore, be strong in ho'
nesty. If he yields to the temptation, and seeks
to employ the means. entrusted to him on!y for
the benefit Of his fellow-citiZens, in endeavOrs,
to raise himself upon their ruin, he should be
branded like another Cain. His memory should
be held in the most intense and immortal detes'
tation.
..He should be independent, following his own
convictions of right. and not shrinking from any
of his appropriate responsibilities. He should be
swayed by no private and ~illegitimate influences,
and never seek to cast his burthens upon others.
In every act of the power lawfully assigned him
he should stand forth, as the personal agent OF the
public will, and answerabie to all its just de-
mands. ,
"He should be vigiIant. Our freedom, though
we'll secured may be invaded. In all other coun-
tries, freedom has been invaded. Ours is toe
valuable, and has been too dearly purchased, to
omit any means of it's preservation. Without
eternal vigilance. in all its sentlnels, no means
will be sufficient. With an awakened eye to
every part of his charge, he who occupies the
highest watch-tower Of the nation. should care
RI ...I, III H. Indications IS ,nad nr OWL