Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-03-26

who wish, or ought 10 Vaiue Tue Soou oP"i'o" "
the public.
| live on King street. between Royal and
Fairfax streets.
RI is with great pleasure that we comply
with the request ct a friend IN publishing the
subioined letter of Mr.. WRIT, to the Sunday
school meeting lately held in Washington.
The cause Of religion, does motto be sure, stand
in need of the influence of great names. to sus-
tain its principles or advance its progress, but
there is something cheering In the spectacle
of the homage sometimes paid to Its excellence,
nv those high in the favor and esteem OF their
fellow men. and whose opinions are received
with attention and regard. The sentiments con-
tanned in Mr.. Wits letter do honor to his feel
mos as true patriot, and will elevate his char
acfer higher than ever. We will not, however,
by any remarks of our own, longer detalu the
reader from perusal of this truly excellent let
ter.-ED. GAz.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 1851.
Dear Sir: regret that it is not i'll my power
TO be with you this evening. that might have
united nv humble efforts with those OF our fellow
citizens who will be present, IN advancing this
great and, as believe it, heaven-directed cause
That Liberty and learning lean on each other
for support. :" is truth which has long been known
10 the wise, aud Of which we are all becoming
convinced by fearful experience. 1t has been
the ignorance Of the people which has so long
enabled tyrants to hold the world in chains; and
they have never failed to burst them asunder
whenever hight has broken IN strongly upon them.
But If they are permitted to relapse into isno-
rance and its natural attendant, grovelllng vice,
tyrants will risea gain. under the name OF patriots,
and we shall sec the world repiunged into Gothic
darkness and despolism. 1t is not in the nature
r. Al. hot rnpnlar iOnU
subsist, except among an enlightened and virtu-
Gus people; nothing else can shield them against
the designs of wicked and intriguing politicians,
who always come in The name and garb OF patriot
ism. and. calling themselves friends of the people,
cheat them to their ruin. Every effort, therefore,
to enlishten the people, deserves the Jealous
support of every genuine friend OF Liberty; and
| hail. with unaffected Joy, the ardor with which
this great and phianthropc plan, has been eve
ry where received Viewed in temporal and
political light, merely, il deserves the strongest
support from all who wish the continuance
of our free and happy institutions at home;
and when we see the effect that our example is
producing Cd the world, the motive for our ex-
ertions rises to far loitier and nobler sentiment
II is the cause, not Of the United States only,
but of the whole earth. 1t is the cause of man
throughout the world; and who is then so poor
anu SOrulu OI SpNhs dS W thihN p''y Va "ih-
self when the great question is, whether this
earth shall be inhabited by enlightened and vir-
tuous freemen, erect and firm on the basis of in
dependence, or by hordes Of ignorant, grovei-
ling and PROSTATE slaves. hugging their chains and
licking the dust from the feet of their oppres-
sors?-But in connexion with these great tempo
raj benefits, your society has still higher and
holier aim-spreadng the light of the Gospel,
and advancing the Kingdom of the Redeemer.-
In relation to the world at large, believe that
public virtue has no solid basis, but IN Rell-
eion. mean by public virtue, that which lmpeis
a man, in all his public acts, to look solely to
the good Of his country, without any view OF per-
sonal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. | believe that the faith
ers of our revolution, were for the most part such
men, A great crisis called them out, and the
common danger, as well as the common hope.
supplied great motive of actiOn-which held
them together, and directed their united efforts
to the liberation OF their country. But the cri-
sisonce passed, and the object achieved. the
natural passions of man came into play and then
came personal ambition. with all its disastrous
retinue of faction, intrigue, injustice, barbarity,
SANDER. contention and strife, until our whole
country presents a scene from which every ho-
nest and peaceable man recoils, without ray oil
hone, except from the power of the Almighty
Private vice always keeps pace with puo'ie I'M
morality. Principles and manners descend ma.
turaIIy from those who occupy distinguished
places, to those who dwell in the humber walks
of life. THIS is an admitted truth in monarchles'
and we have had experience enough to Know
that il is extensively true in republics. One DIS
t;nguished man is able to corrupt whole nelsh.
borhood by his example and Vaccinations; anu
the sphere of his pernicious influence becomes en-
laroed. In propOrtiOn TO the eminence to Whlch
he has risen. The only corrections that which
you seek to apply, and the plan is laid in the