Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-05-10


made, among others, the following observations:
"Mr Wickiffe observed that it was some
times pleasant to have the mind recalled to by
gone days, and, had the Report OF the Commit
tee of Retrenchment, to which the gentleman
had made such honorable reference, been the of
spripg of the individual who then addressed the
Horse, he should no doubt recur to it with great
satisfaction. 1t was a source OF regret that the
master spirit whose ability had produced that
document was not now here to witness its pras-
es; and it was still mure to be regretted that the
report seemed to have been forgotten alike bv
friends and foes Mr.. w. was now convinced
of the soundness Of the remark made to him by the
gentleman appointed to draw up that report as
having been made to that gentleman when con-
versing with one high in place, that the prtnc''
pies offhat report might do Uery ,ceA TO get INTO
power by, but neuer loouid ansUer to practice
upoa. Mr.. w. adhered to one of those principles
though good and evil report, and he thought It
might not be amiss to have the document reprint
ed, as many gentlemen seemed to have forgotten
what it contained"
Mr.. McDufhe and Mr.. Wickliffe were both
leaders of the Jackson party, and doubtless hop
ed for, and probably anticipated, the good things
they prophesied and promised.
We cannot conclude this article, however,
without copying what Mr. Adams remarked in
the same debate, in reply to both the above-nam-
ed gentlemen. Mr.. Adams said
shall not attempt to enter into the philosophy
cal discussion in which the two distinguished
members, the Chairman Of the Committee OF
WAYS, and Means (Mr. McDufie,; and the Chair
| man Of the Committee on Public Lands (Mr.
| Wickifie,) have taken part, with regard to the
measures which produced the Retrenchment Re.
port, nor shall enquire into their difference ofopi-
MON with regard TO it. That Report have some
occasion to remember. 1t was made BY the
Com mittee; and acted on by the House, without
any consultation with me. Sir, remember to
have read, that certain King, of CASTLE, | think
it was, once said, and it was considered as very
bold speech. that if the Creator of the Universe,
when engaged in making the world, had consult.
ed him he could have given him good advice.
will not say that of the Creator Of the world;
but will venture to say, that 1t the Committee
of Retrenchment had consulted with me, could
have given them good advice.
As to the observations of the distinguished, the
very distinguished gentleman from South Carroll.
ma, in regard to the principles which now prevail,
have seen figure which has often appeared to me
very emblematlc of the changes which occur in
free Governments At the door of some of our
public Offices there is sort Of fixture denominat-
ed a turnsrile. tits of such a nature that 1t Ope.
rates as gate. The gate at the entrance of the
mansion Of power is lurnstie. The man who
enters the mansion turns the cross bars at Its top
half way round so that the pixies at the end OF the
bars seem for moment to point in directions op'
posite to those they had done That which point
ed east points west, and vice versa. But the man
who goes out turns the bars round the other half
and BY the time the new conner is seated in his
place, the revout of the cross-bars is complete
thew all point exactly as they did before the
change. This, sir, appears to me to be the EN-
bematical representation of changes of admins.
trations under the banners of reform in free and
republican governments.