Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-11-27
ALEXANDRIA, Cd. CO.
TUESDAY MORNING. NYV OF. 1852.

Chief Magistrate Of this great Con'edefacy' Of
fers most proper and convenient opportunity
for recurrence to FIRST principles, and an fxaml-
nation Of the present situation and future proc
poets of the country. The occurrence Of the
event is, in itself, calculated to awaken the IN
terest and excite the attention Of every citizen
of the Republic, who feels any concern at the
course Of things which involve his own and the
welfare Of his posterity.
We have just passed through political cam.
paign, which has resulted IN the entire triumph
Of participating for its head distinguished pub
lie man, whose qualities and talents cannot but
be matter of doubt and dispute, and whose doc
trnes are for the most part move! and untr'ed,
and, at best, vet to be tested by actual expert
ment before they can be safely received. The
Nation has solemnly, deliberately. and through
all the regular forms Of an election, decided to
uphold and support this citizen and these doc
trines-and we take 4 new start in our career,
propelled onward by the popular voice expressed
in most decided and uncquivocaI manner. 1t
is therefore, at this time, peculiarly proper that
we should enter into the review and examination
of which we have spoken, and which we desen
to make in all candor and fairness, but with that
honest boldness with which, we trust, we shall
ever express our sentiments.
1t seems to US but too true that, for series OF
years. we have been gradually falling from bad to
worse. The taciHs descensus can be applied
with as much truth to nations as individuals. To
run the eye over the short history of our country
will satisfy us. at once, of the lamentabIe fact
that the golden age Of the republic is past-pay.
more, that we have indeed fallen upon "e'il
DAYS" In the present dangerous situation of
public affiirs, any efforts made to conceal the
fact are worse than useless. Why should the
sentinels upon Liberty's watchto~er cry "peace,
peace, when there is no peace? Why should
it be said that every sign "sives token OF good.
ly day to.morrow,'' when the clouds are all
black and lowering, and portend storm which
is at once about to burst over our heads. Whe-
Their, at such time as this, with many emersen.
cies pressing upon US, and almost demanding the
exercise Of prudence and foresight, it was wise
trate in ofFice-whe,her he is calculated TO guide
the ship Of state through the rocks and quick
sands which beset her, questions which
might, to be sure, be argued, merely as political
theories, but the discussion Of which, now, can
be Of no practical advantage. We have to deal
with circumstances as they actually exist and as
we find the,n-not as we would have them. And,
in view of these, we cannot but regret the fallen
fortunes of this once united and happy country.
1t might be useful employment to co!ate and
principles. sentiments and men Of the days Of
WAsHINGroN. and those which are NOW engross-
ing and dominant. Such Il task would certainly
BE- painful to the patriotic mind; but what les.
son would it exhibit. and how profitab!y might it
be studied by those who are sustaining the pre-
sent leaders of party and their measures. The
contrast would startlc the duIIest observer. 1t
would affect the most Indifferent surveyor of pass
ing events! One Of our greatest reasons for
striving so earnestly as we did, in the course
which we pursued previous to the recent cleo
ton, was to bring back the government. as far
as could at once be done, to the old track from
which II has been carried or strayed. We saw,
or thought we saw. so manifest departure from
the Washington principles. and so plain de-
CLEMSON from the Washington men, that we
were fearful longer delay might cover IN obi
vim all recollection of both.-(T'he standard Of
merit that we adopt is both Questionable and,
with some, unpalatable; but, nevertheless. we
must be excused for using it, as we have certain
aniquated notions on the subject which we can.
no, get over.) We were aware that the people
had begun 20 be cajoled and wheeded by dema-
sogues and aspirants, who, with the honey of
democracy on their lips. were poisoning their
minds and corruptins their virtue. We knew
that idols had been set up in the high places,
and the multitude called upon to fall down and
worship them. We knew that many had been
taught TO prefer other men to the " Father of
his Cuuntry''.-whose memory, however IL mioht