Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-07-13
PRESIDENTIAL QUESTION.


the next Presidential election, are forc'o'e ana
lust. We recommend them to the serious atten-
ton Of those who appear bent on again involving
the people in turmoil and contention:
Fur ourselves, we consider the premature ag'-
taton Of the Presidential election an evil OF the
FIRST magnitude; Of such magnitude. indeed as
10 lar the social fabric to its foundations. Let
us enumerate few Of the mischiefs which are
sure to flow from it. II puts all the tribes OF
place hunters and parasites 10 motion, wno' ex-
pec,;no reward to be proportioned to zeal. EN-.
piov themselves in sgitating the public mind'
II. min, IN he animatsa ~ patriotism, while sor-
did calculation is the single motive Of their exer-
tons. Look at the four first years Of Gen Jack.
sons administration, and the swarms of men ele.
waited to offices OF trust and emoument, whose
names had scarcely travelled beyond the limits
Of their own parishes, or il known to the nation
at all, were known only as connected with gross
adulation OF Jackson on the one hand. or the vi.
rulent Islander Of his opponents on the other OF
all the multitude Of his appointments, some half
dozen excepted, il would not be difficult TO con.
vince candid mind, that they were bestowed
as the remuneration of services to .AndreO Jack
son, in elevatins him 10 power. One acted as
President OF some meeting-another harangued
for him-another was on a Central Commit.
tea fourth scrubbed for him in the papers-a
fifth land 20 such got their reward) conducted
partizan print-a sixth rallied in Congress, and
figured on Retrencbment" Committees. (Hea
ven save the markD All had been active ser
vitors of Jackson-few indeed were known as
the benefactors of the State. Premiums were
held out, and premiums were punctually paid. to
those who could eu'ugiso u'"os f.'...~aly. aaitar
most fawningly. and SANDER most boldly and vi.
rulenty.
Even greater evil than this, is the tendency
Of the popular heats, engendered by squabbles
for the Presidency, to force up into consequence
and influence, men who, but for the boiling Of
the popular cauldron, would forever remain at
the bottom, too heavy and worthless to float on
the calm surface Of public tranquility. How Of
ten have we seen in the last eight years. the mer-
est party drudges, or the loudest roarers Of the
name Of Jackson, preferred in the madness of
party zeal, to those who could render reason
for their opinion, to those who had long served
the public with fidelity, to the man Of experience
and ability?
Presidential elections must ever, more or1less,
assume sectional spirit. and another great evil
is their tendency to embitter one section against
another, and turn the milk of fraternal love into
the gall Of sectional hatred.
These great evils, we admit, are not altogether
to be avoided, by deerring the contest to the lat
est possible day; but they would be greatly mi
truth in politics, that the violence Of party con.
tests increases with their duration, even as the
snow ball enlarges with its progress.
We are admonished by experience; we are
persuaded by the induce mept az .,..;.i.-.-.A.--
iuabe Good. nut to launch precipitafely into a
oonts.. wnich, besides the ills specified, will
again disturb the returning disposition to public
harmony, and call of the attention Of the PEG.
pie, from current public affairs and the conduct
Of their rulers, to remote rivalry for the Presi.
dency. What advantages are offered to counter
balance these considerations, from an immediate
discussonl None that are tangible or apprecia.
Bile. Let US attend to the wisdom Of Holy Writ
sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. Let
US not borrow trouble in 1885 from 1885.
Desperate mdsrtakiny.-Yesterday afternoon,
on his return TO his residence No. State st. 6,
G. Rowland, Esq. was informed that some per-
son was on the roof of his house.. Proceeding up
stairs to ascertain the fact, he threw open the
scuttle on the roof, when he perceived man
with quantity Of lead upon his shoulder, which
he had stripped from dormer window. He was
uPVu W uSotstS uuu tOt VIC putpOsC VI Vu-
forcing the order, Mr.. Rowland imprudentIy ad-
vanced towards him, when the man struck him a
violent blow which deprived him of recollection
for the moment, and very nearly knocked him
of the roof. Recovering himself, however, aud
fearful Of slipping from his uncertain foothold,
he returned to the scuttIe, the man rapidly pur-
suing him. with every indication Of determine.
ton to throw him of He had scarcely time to
descend before the scuttle doc, was thrown down
violently upon his head In a few moments,
however, Mr.. H. re ascended the roof, and dis
covered the man retreatIng over an adjoining
building, into which he entered by forcing the
scuttle. MIR. H. pursued him down the ladder
aud garrett stairs, at the foot of which he crap.
pied with him, his further egress having been
BY door which was locked, and wuius,.
he was unable with all his strength to force. In
a short time it was opened by some member Of
the family. who heard the uproar above, and the
man was led down to a lower apartment, where
he was detained until aid could be procured from
the police Office, to which he was soon after con.
Quoted by Messrs. Holman and Cornell.
His name il William WiiIiams n slater Nv oc