Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-11-06


equal interest to the whole Upon. Mr.. Bar.
bour's reputation was not circumscribed by the
boundaries of Virginia. lie carried fresh to
the Senate Chamber those iaurels which were
awarded to his gallant deeds, achieved in the
iiel d aud at the council board. UBcOmmitted to
any course of policy. untrsmmelled by the let
tiers of party prejniices, he had snperadded
that commanding influence, which made him
fortunate representative in our national councils
at that troubious time. He could las he did)
successfully act the pacifcator in concIllatlng
variant opinions, and soothing the asperitles,
which existed between members Of the same po-
litical family.
Ills first efforts. on taking his scat in the Sen
ate, we're the de,ising suitable measures TO en-
able the Government to meet the pecunlary de-
mands of the country. He called Meeting
of the friends Of the administration, to which he
submitted a proposition for National Back,
with capital sufficiently large for all sovernmen
tai exgencies. This proposition was adopted by
the meeting and. at their request. brought by
Mr.. Barbour, in proper fern, to the notice oil
the Senate. 1t passed by triumphant MAORI
ty. and wnrh have bren carried through the
House of Representatives but for the decIara
ton of peace, which took place before that branch
of the Legislature acted on it. His exertions IN
behalf Of this measure. particularly the able
speech which lie made in support OF It. paced
him high in the esteem Of that body Tie was
FIRST put at the head Of the Military Committee,
then Of the Committee of Foreign Relations and
finally, made President of the Senate.
In no situation, in which Sir. Barbour has
been placed. has he ever failed to attain the
highest commence in the confidence and prefer.
ment Of the body with whom he was associated.
Ills stern and unyieldins integrity secured him
the former, whilst his talents Qesi,imatey claim
ing rank with the first of this country eXtortcd
commentator which those who knew them
best appreciated and no one in justice could de.
nv him.
To trace him in his senatorial career lin which
he spent large portion of his political life) and
identify the measures he efficiently aided %
mature. would exceed our purpose in the pre-
sent communication To recur TO them. would
be to enumera,e every leading measure brought
to the consideration Of the Senate whist he was
member of it, In abiding to this subject,
however, we cannot forbear in passing. to al.
vert to two subjects, more on account OF the
fruitful source of animadversion they have fur
nshed the enemies Of Mr.. Barbour, than any
interest which tie reader may take 10 them. FAM.
liar as he is presumed to be, with the political
history Of his county. These are the West In.
dia trade and Missouri question.
As Chairman of the Committee of Foreign Rela
tons, Mr. Barbour proposed the retaliatory mea-
sure TO the munopullsing policy OF Great Britain,
in her consular intercourse with this country -
He was in favor Of the broad principles Of reel.
procIty; of treating all nations as they treated
US. Great Britain rejected this proposition, and
sought TO monopolizc all the benefits Of navisa-
ton between this country aud the West Indies.
This, as we'll on principle as on the recommen-
daton of our Minister at ST. James, who told
US, if we passveIy submitted. the inequality
would remain forever, MIR Barbour determin-
ed TO resist, and, with that view, proposed the
law which las called forth unmeasured lnvectye
and gros, and unqualified misrepresentation.
AT no one period of our country's history has
the public mind been more excited than in the
adjustment Of what has been usually termed the
Missouri Question In the year 1920, the Ter.
ritory OF Missouri pp.icd to Congress to be ad-
mitted a State of the Union, on the terms pre-.
scribed by the Constitution. To the original
question before the Committee was attached. by
the advocates OF Emancipation, an amendment
- ordaIniug and establishing that there shall be
neither Slavery nor involuntary servilnde in
said State This proposed amendment opened
VICE Heiu lor ulSCussiOn upon tne MUCH NeAcu
and irritating subject of the abstract right OF
Slavery. 1t called forth all the feeling which a
deep pecuniary interest, on the one side, and
opinions based upon early aud fanatcal prejudi.
ces on the other, were calculated to elicit. IL
was, moreover. intended, and 40 received by the
Southern delegation, as an effort, on the part OF
the Representatives Of the states called par ex.
celIence "frce," to Sc uie the power Of making
their own President aud governing the other cleo.
tive officers under the Federal Government. A
discussion, involving such important and conflict
ing interests, to be conducted with camness and
dellberation, required more philosophy than be.
longcd to the American Congress. Fois,ed, as
it was unexpectedly, on the deliberations Of the
House moment for COO! and dis, assionate pre-.
meditation was preoluded. PertnatIous in their
purpose the North relaxed no exertion to accom-
plish their ends; whilst the South, whose inter.
ests aIcne were to be injurIousIy affected. were
exasperated beyond control at the unj ustifabIe
measures which were so stoicaIly proposed
The Poles were not more diverse than these two
parties in all the feelings which should govern