Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-02-03

free institutions, but was under the sway of
pure unmixed despotism-a despotsm not con-
tented with a mere civil tyranny. but besettng
the paths of domestic life and pO!luting even the
privacy of the chamber with ltgrahing system
of espionage.
The oppression which The Russians practised
in Poland can scarcely be believed. No man in
auv station Of life w.. permitted to. marry. or to
dispose of lis inheritance without license from
the government. Most persons possessed OF any
influence were compelled to live in solitude upon
their own estates, and not permitted to pass even
the frontiers of one province TO another without
passport obtained by the most degrading sup
plicatiuns Thus. whilst the Russians were ira
Yelling in every quarter of Europe, Polish ira.
weller was scarcely so much - seen. Poland
was imprisoned as il were, wit.a her own from
tiers, and kept for the gloomy pleasure OF Rus.
STA, who exhausted every species Of tyranny and
exactOn upon the people.
- Every mind OF common feeling must rejoice
at the attempt made by such people. he the
event what it may. to regain their freedom.
"Whatever sympathy may be excited for
that they were already in possession of liberal
forms of government; while the Poles were al
most the only unemancipated slaves in Europe
the adscripti glebp of the dark feudal ages; the
monuments of those barbarous times when the
common multitude of mankind were as little re-
garded as the beasts of the field.
THAT the day of vengeance would come up
on the descendants of Catherine the Great. for
the infamous spoilation of Poland forty years ago,
10 man, who trusted in the providential course
OF human events, could for moment doubt; but
we did not think it so near al hand, II is our
sincere wish that another Sobeska or KOscius-
ko may arise to direct the arms and councils of
the Poles in this great struggle for their freedom
Europe. we hope. will stand by as an impartial
| spectator, though in snch case it will be i'm
possible to be an Indifferent one. Austria and
Prussia will not dare to interfere: first, because
they will apprehend the extension of the insur-
rectIon to Siesia and Pomerania, their own un.
holy portion OF the original spoil Of Poland; and
next. because they must naturally dread the re.
sentiment of every free-born mind in Europe. and
the honest discomfort and opposition of their own
soldery and people. if they should interpose,
and fail in the Aagitous attempt Of rivetting anew
the chains of Russia upon these gallant insurgents
In looking at Europe at the present moment
we cannot but perceive that the ground trembies
and quakes in all quarters, and that general and
mighty CONFUSION is about to take place. Whilst
the earthquake is felt from beneath. the burning
lava begins to flow, and the stream takes that d.
rection where it is least likely to meet with OPP,
position or Impedment.'
FRANCE
Death Of BENJAMIN Constant.-Mr. Benjamin
Constant died at his residence in Paris, on the
| 9Th OF December. The French papers Of the
! 18th, are filled with details of the funeral honors
paid to the deceased, which took place Oh the
18th. The funeral was sOlemuized with great
spendor.
The disposition of France at this moment is
evidently warlike. and under the pretext of de-
Tending herself, she is preparing to make aggres-
sion upon others. The ministers are indeed in
disposed to war, but the proposition made bv La
fayette in the Chamber of Deputies. on Tuesday
last. that in case Austria CT Prussia should
interfere in the affairs of Poland, it would be the
duty Of France to prohibit them," was received
with loud acc anations.
Tie latest London papers sta'c, that private
advces from Paris say that the greatest enthu-
siasm prevails in that Capital the subject Of the
anticipated foreign aggression. 1t is calculated
that in the course Of a few weeks 10000
troops, including the National Guard, will be in
an effective state. Notwithstanding the pacific
tone used by the Minister of the interior in the
last sitting of the Chamber
Bells WrekIy Messenger, Dec. 10.
CoURT OF PEERS, Dec. Is.
Trial Of the French -Ministers.-At ten
o'clock this morning the important trial of the
Ex-Ministers commenced before the Court of
Peers. The morning was cold and snowy. con-
seguently unfavorable to the congregation of any
considerable crowd in the streets. Numbers
had, however, assembled before eight O'Clock in
the neighborhood of the Ode0n and Luxembourg.
but the great mass Of persons visible were Ma
tional Guards of all legions and grades. They
lined every avenue, their bayonets glittered among
the gardens of the Luxembourg. and the whole
palace was in state of siege. The courtyard
was entirely occupied by the civil and military
authorities, who, with excellent arrangements.
secured prompt ingress ior the privileged few
who had tickets of admission to the interior.
At nine o'clock the whole area of the Chamber
of Peers was filled by spectators. The Peers
did not take their seats before ten o'clock.
The princ ial advocates OF Paris and pro-
vincia bar were in attendance.
On the right of the place allotted to the French
bar, and on the spot usually flied by the clerk of
the House of Peers, was commodious box en-
closed for the prisoners, with four chairs provided
for their accommodation, and desk and stooIs