Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-10-02
MIR. MADISON.

This heresy Of Notification seems 10 e"anse'
in the most marvellous manner, the nature OF us
votaries Like the nitrous gas, IT turns the neaos
If those who breathe it. 1t first excites them
violently; then their passions become 'ntameo'
and their revenge becomes as Unsuitable as their
resentments. Here is Mr.. McDutfie. Tor exam.
ple. at all times warm in his feeInss-vehement
in his opinions-but very frequently generous
and liberal 10 his disposition; get see the very
offensive terms in which he speaks OF Mr.. Maai'
son! He is "aware (he SAYS that Mr. NJ 10
the decrepitude of his faculties, has gwen sef'
sion to his Report. aud the Virginia Resolutions
which converts the whole proceeding into So
Tenn farce' We shall not stop to show mat
Mr. Med. himself has misrepresented the cha
racter, and suppressed some Of the material Tea.
lures, of this celebrated report. But we V'H
ask, how any man, who is not the slave OF PASSION
could reconcile it TO justice, or to decencv, TO
sneak in such terms OF such man! Inc as
sertion, that Mr.. Madison has fallen into :" the
decrepi,ude of his faculties" is not true. There
is no man, who has now the pleasure OF WISHING
the retired patriot, who will not testify TO the
GROSS Injustice of the insinuation. Aud besides,
the opinion which has drawn down upon
Mr.. MS venerable head such an offensive at.
tack was exhibited IN his Letter to the Editor OF
the N. American Review in 1850. A lew
months ONLY before that period. he had been
brought before. the public eye in most RESPONSE
Bile situation. He was member OF the Virginia
Convention. He never missed an hour, we be.
lieve, from the meetings Of that body. He took an
active part in its proceedings. He repeatedly ad'
dressed the Chair. And we will venture to at.
firm, that, out of the thousands who saw and
heard him, there is not a single man who Is not
ready to scout the insinuation of Mr.. McDuftle.
Mr.. NJ. mixed also with hundreds Of his fellow
citizens in this city In private life; and where -
the man who was was not delighted with his con.
versat ion, rich with the most racy anecdotes. and
illuminated with the most profound reflections.
Where were the marks Of this decreptitude then?
Mr.. NJ has always been man calm IN his TEN.
per, and moderate in his habits-and time seems
to have respected the commanding vigor OF his
intellect. Besides. the question is not, whether
he enjoys all the activity Of his younger days, but
whether he is man Of veracity and honor. He
comes forward. not as politician to discuss prln.
ciples, but as a Uiir,ess TO testify to fact. He
declares, that e" the doctrine inullifcaion) is az
new to me as it was to you" Is he worthy OF
belief Where is the man, who entertains any
respect for himself. that will attempt to cast sus.
picions on the honor Of Mr.. Madison. Mr.. M.
declares that when he penned both the resolutions
and the Report, Modification was unknown to
him. Is he therefore to be charged with deereP.
itudr Of intellect Judge CabeI, who voted tor
the Resolutions in '99, declares the same thing
Is he. too. to be suspected of decreptude?
We confess that we consider this attack upon
Mr.. Madison as offensive to good taste, az it is to
common justice. What! is there nothing to save
any dissentient from the vengeance of the Multi
fer? Cannot the gratitude of nation protect
him from INSULT Cannot the services and the
integrity Of Madison secure him against the
poisoned arrowl Differing as we 10 from Mr..
Madison on some important points, yet we should
as Mr.. Med. has employed-and we should
think poorly of ourselves, If we did not attempt to
ward off from his venerable head so disrespectful
blow. when aimed at him by the hand of ano.
Their. - Ri chmond Enquirer.