Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-07-27
ALEXANDRIA, I'd. c.
FRIDAY MORNING. JULY 27. 1852.


Our AGE is so prolific Of great and important
events, that occurrences unattended by immediate
and startling consequences, although highly IN
teresting in themselves, pass BY without any cor
siderable agitation Of the public mind. Indeed
there is radical change evidently taking place
Throughout society which contributes TO this re-
suit Moral power begins to take the place OF
physical+ strength, and reason and argument are
used instead of steel and iron. Men learn TO
regard almost phiosophically the mutations OF
soyerusnent, and the revolutions OF empires -
The "pomp, pride and circumstance OF glori'
Gus wars have been, in some measure, succeed
ell BY the calmer scenes OF the Senate Chamber
and the ballot box II is at these latter places that
the fate Of nations is decided without the loss OF
human being, Or the shedding of single drop
OF blood When the fierce and angry passions
Of the people, reused aud heated by the arts OF de-
magogues, burst forth in civil connections, the jd-
dicious and rejecting, even Of their way OF think
ing look upon the outbreaking with horror, but
console themselves with the reflection that 1t can
all be settled psaceably if they so scWi
The recent passage of the English Reform Bill
presents an apt illustration Of these remarks. A
century ago. what slaughter and misery would
not have ensued, before this great measure could
have been accomplished! Years Of civil war
irreconcileable Observation-Disclosures OF proper
ty-subversion Of law and order-anarchy ant
confusion-iamine and distress, would. IN turn,
have visited the land and .'run their fierce ca
reer'' The pages Of English history show, that
on occasions OF less Importance. the nation has
been convulsed and drenched in blood.
The progress and settlement OF the Reform
Bill give a curious and instructive lesson to the
rulers and nations Of the earth. The WiH of the
people. ensthened in time by convincing and
pow erful arguments, was at first but feeDly eX-
pressed. AS time advanced. its tone became
louder and more confident. Still, however, II
was firmly opposed BY those Who saw, OF thought
they saw, danger in the proposed Innovations. -
In this way the contest was kept up, the populv
opinion steadily advancing. though it was stead,
ly resisted. At length, it had obtained so o.
cded majority in It's support, that il become
necessary at once to settle the question by a so
lemn adjudication before the constitutional tri-
bunal appointed to try it. This tribunal decided
against the popular will. The result vas re-
ceNed with momentary indignation, and, an one
instance, with disorder; but the spirit OF TIE
ase" did its work and repressed farther tumuit
The trial Of the question, settled it, however: for.
Notwithstanding the decision, it was then demon
strated that an overwhelming majority OF thr na-
ton demanded the measure. Opposition became
fruitless. II was seen to be in vain to cop,end
against the expressed aud declared will Of ma
,iOn.-And finally, without an invasion Of con
sututionai rishts-without the alteration OF fun-
dameutal laws--without the change of single
form Of goyernment-without a Field OF battle.
the people triumphed, and "oder reigned'' III
England.
Let this boodless victory forever remain
precedent-to ue looked to in all time to come
as an evidence Of what may be effected BY pa
tieuce. perseverance and peace May it be OBJ
served not only in Europe, where we trust IT
viii exert most salutary influence, but even
here, here in our own happy land, where we know
not how soon it may be, before we may be called
upon to hold it up as an example to the discOn-
tented and disaffected. "History is philosophy.
teaching BY examples" If men " would apply
their hearts unto WISDOM" they might learn
enough from this to produce amongst us national
happiness for all generations.