Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-03-08


and narticularIy deserving consideration at the
present. With sagacity which brought the fu-
ture before him; he saw and pointed out the dan
gers that even al this moment most lmmlnentiy
threaten us. hardly know how greater favor
of that kind could now be done to the cOmmun-
~ than by renewed aud wide diffusion OF that
admirable paper. and an earnest invitation TO eve.
nv man in the country To reperuse and consider
it. Its political maxims are INV ''uabie; its ex-
hortation TO love of country aud to brotherly AZ
lection among citizens. touching; and the so'em-
nity with which it urges the observance OF moral
duties, and impresses the power OF religious OBJ
ligation gives to it the highest character Of truly
,lisinterested. sincere. parental advice.
The domestic policy of Was ington found its
pole star in the avOwed objects of the constitution
itself He sought so to administer that constitu-
tion, as to form more perfect union. establish
Justice. ensure domestic tranquility. provide for
the cannon defence. promote the general welfare,
am lcure the blessings OF liberty. These were
objects, interesting. the highest degree, to the
whole country, and his policy embraced the whole
country
Among his eaxist and most important duties,
was the organization Of the Government itself,
the choice Of his confidential advisers. aud the
various appointments to office. This duty. so
important and delicate, when a whole Govern
ment was TO be organized, and all its Offices for
the first time filled, was vet not difficult to him;
for he had no sinister ends to accomplish. no cla-
mOrous partIsans to CRAFTY, no pledges to redeem,
no object to be regarded, but simply the public
good 1t was plain, straight forward inatter-
mere honest choice Of good men, for the pub
lie service. -...,...-
His own singleness Of purpose, his disinterest-
ed patriotism, were evinced bv the selection of
his first Cabinet. and by the manner in which he
filled the Courts of Justice. and other places of
high trust. He sought for men fit for Offices;
not for offices which might SUIT men. Above per.
sonal considerations. above local considerations.
above party considerations, he felt that he could
ONLY discharge the sacred trust which the conn
try had placed in his hands, by a dligent inquiry
after real merit, and conscientious preference
of virtue and talent. The whole country was
the field Of his selection. He explored that whole
field, looking only for whatever il containd most
worthy and distinguished. lie was, indeed.
most successful, and he deserved success. for the
purity Of hls motives, the liberality of his senti
inents, and his enlarged and manly policy.
Washlngton's Administration established the
national credit, made provision for the public
debt. and for that patriotic army whose interests
and welfare were always SD dear to him; and by
laws wisely framed, and of admirable effect, raised
the commerce and navigation of the country, al
most at once. from depression and ruin, to a
state of prosperity Nor were his eyes open to
these interests alone. He viewed with equal
concern its agriculture and manufactures, and
30 far as they came within the regular exercise
of the powers Of this Government, they expert.
enccd regard and favor
1t should not be omitted. gentlemen, even 10
this slight reference to the general measures and
general principles Of the first President, that he
saw and felt the full value and Importance of the
Judicial Department of the Government. An
upright and able administration OF the laws, he
held to b. indispensable to public happiness and
public liberty. The temple of justice. in his
judgment. was sacred place, and he would pro-
fame and polute it who should assign any to min
lister in it, not spotless in character. not incor
ruptible in integrity, not competent BY talent and
learning. not fl objects of unhesita'iug trust.
Among other admonltions. Washington has
left US, IN his last communication % his country.
an exhortatlOn against the excuses of party-spi-
rit. A fire not to be quenched, he YET conjures
US not to fan and feed the fame. Undoubtedly,
gentlemen, it is the greatest danger of our sys
TEN, and of our time. Undoubtedly, if that sys-
TEN should be overthrown, it will be the work Of
excessive party-sprit. acting on the Government,
which is dangerous enough, or acting in the Co.
vernment, which is thousand times more dan
gerous-for Government then becomes nothing
but organized party; and in the strange vlcissI-
tudes of human affairs, it may come at last, per-
haps. to exhibit the singular paradox of Govern
ment itself being in opposition to its own powers,
at war with the very elements of its own exist
ence. Such cases are hopeless. As men NAV
be protected against murder but cannot be guard
ed against suicide, 80 Government NAV be shield.
ed from the assaults of external foes, but nothing
can save it. when it chooses to lay violent hand.
on itself.
Finally, gentlemen. there was in the breast of
Washington one sentiment SO deeply felt, so con-
SANITY uppermost, that M proper occasion es
capped without its utterance. From the letter
which he signed. IN behalf Of the Convention,
when the Constitution was sent out to the PEG.
pie, to the moment when he put bis hand to that
last paper. in which he addressed his country
men, the Union, the Union, was the great object
If h;s thouuhts In thai first letter he tells them