Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-28
COMMUNICATED. |

Mr.. SncDdGn--lt IS with considerable regret
that have seen, in an editorial paragraph of
your pa per of this day, the following remarks:
1--WE disapprove of Mr.. Clay's course in the
Senate with regard to Modification entirely; and
unless it is fH.J explained. we must regard it as
improper ami ind,screet. Mr.. Clay saouId have
first of al.-feeins, he said he did, the great
est rppugnance L. The doctrine of Modification,
taken firm and dsciled ground against that
doctrine. Fading to do this. in our opinion, he
has erred, and come far short of our expectation -
Now. MIR. Snuwden, while | appreciate the
spirit of perfect independence which shows Itself
in this expression Of your honest feelings. have
no doubt you will consider with the like friendly
feeling the ca,dor IN which shall reply to your
paragraph.
10 these times Of high excitement, when politi
cal parties to have lost the last principle Of
coheyion, aud anna samaaions Of the most opposite
elements are presenting the Straagest aSs"cla-
tious. | have anticipated for all the great leading
politicians the seUereSt censures from their for
mer friends, and the t0armeit adulation from an
Gent foes But that Mr., Cay's conduct should
have been of such kind as TO require erpiala.
ton 10 you, was really beyond my anticipatinns.
Inv, Sir, MIR Gays conduct in this respect is
neither mysterious nor unexpected. And If there
- one dCt VI uiS "UpC po'a'tNai "HiNh 10
above suspicion or explanation, it is the last no
BILE Offering Of his devoted patriotism Enemies
the most bitter, and friends the faiatest, have
joined IN tribute to the m)tirss and manner Of
this conduct which you condemn | think, il
YOU will accompany me in lew reflections and
references, can show you the proprety of Mr..
Gays course, and the consequent mlsapprehen.
SION under which YOU labor.
The history of this Tariff contest reminds me
Of Burke's beautiful remark on the subject of Re.
torn, aud will take the liberty of substituting,
in the following extract, the word Cancellation
hr Reformation, without any injury to the truth
of the sentinen,:-
"Concitia,inn is one of those pieces which
must t,s put at great distance in order to please,
and it, best friend, love it better in the abstract
than in the substance When any old prejudice
Of their own, or aav that they value. is touched.
they become scrnpnious and capfious, and every
mau has his separate exception. Some pluck out
the gray hairs, and some the backbone point
must be given up 20 one-another punt must be
yielded TO ano,her-and nothing Is suffered to
prevail on its otcn principle"
And has it not been the very case with the
Cancellation Of the Tariff? Three wears ago,
when the compromise vas in the pros eciiUe, 1t
was most eloquessfiy detained on. All saw the
necessity of the thing. but none could sketch even
the outline Of the happy plan Of Peace aat 4nu
fy. Then it was sad that the man who should
unfold the true method Of living as Z" band Of
brothers," would be " thrice fortunate" But
what do we see now? First. says the Hon. MI.
Forsyth. Z" the plan is unconstitutional in one
feature"-and that Is the black hair. Next, says
the Hon ex-senator from Maryland. :" it rs too
late to talk of peace. The Tariff is too old aud
rotien-it must be plucked out at every hazard"
and that is the gray hair. And what is your
objection, MIR. Editori Why, that Mr.. Clay.
in rendering the oliue branch. did not threaten
with the flaming sword. But. even granting
that he did not. cannot see how Peace can be
secured to q trembling country, il the parties to