Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-05-17

OF the HepuOtlc. so pure an atmosphere SurrOunu-
ing the high Offices Of state, that nothing impure
could exist therein. There was then assembled
at the Capitol as bright a galaxy Of virtue and ia
enlishten The world. The contrast 10 sufficient.
" painful to one who loves the welfare Of Rome
more than the glory of Caesar. Need I institute,
after the manner Of Plutarch, a parallel between
the first and second Washington" {horresco
referens1 to show the ~contras. now so disgrace
full and discreditabls to our ~countrya Need I,
with Sallust, lament the corruption of the times
and the decay Of republican feelings and princi-
ples-those republican principles which acknow-
ledge MERIT as the only legitimate passport to
honors and distinction? Need J, Indignant at
the change which has been brought about, adopt
the language Of the Roman Orator, aud ask
Quousque abutere nostra patientia'
In our case, most truly, with the times, the
men have changed. We have lost both the en-
blance and the reality; and it does not appear
that there is even decency enough to assume a
virtue though they have it not" The vice Of
hypocrisy cannot be charged against them. Per-
haps such a cloak would be found cumbersome
and announcement. The mask Of false patriot
ism is more easily taken off and put on, and suits
their purposes at times better. They may wear
that and still impudently exhibit to the gaze Of
the world their unblushing earontery. What
matters it if the slow unmoving finger Of scorn is
pointed at them? They regard it not; for they
imagine it only directs the attention Of the .'ju-
dicious few" while the multitude overlook or
disregard il.
write to you very plainly. After all. sensi-
bic and rejecting people must think as | do
There is no virtue, honor, or lofty feelings, in our
high places-with a few exceptions. Every
where is moral degradation. The spectacle is
loathsome, The government is a political lazar
house-"a place sad. %noiso,ne, dark, where are
laid numbers of all diseased"
All this has been exposed fully and palpably
during the present session Of Congress. And rs
each .damning fact' came out, how closely
were the chains Rugged, and how doggedly was
the truth resisted! Well be it so. "If ROM
must fall, then zoe are innocent"
Give me a man, at any rate, with courage, in
dependence and generosity enough along with
his errors to show that his heart is right. / de.
test your sly, s~neakins courtiers, who, acknow-
hedging their own baseness, have not a redeem.
ius quality to excite your pity or forgiveness. l
literally tremble when | think that the destinies
OF this country are brought under the control Of
certain men, notorious enough now to be known
bv this reference. without giving me the trouble
TO blacken this sheet BY writing their names.
Also, give me a "hero." if ! am to have one,
with the attributes of a hero. l do not like a
bravado or ~brawler, nor the i~nstigator of brawls.
The ru6fanly propensities Of a street bully. are
not to my taste: nor can | regard with compla-
ceucy a-man who, INDUCING in them once him
self. now does not hesitate to encourage them in
others. II l am asked my reasons Tor such a dl.
rect %allusion, l refer you to a declaration made
yesterday on the floor of the House, and asking
for Only half an hour to PROVE, incontestibly
PROVE, that that ~allusion is founded on fact, and
that the time has actually arrived for member OF
Congress to legislate EARNED in panop'y com.
plete." D! blessed state of things-O! glorious
era of Reform. Yours, truly.