Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-02

the individual distress and general ruin tnat
would necessarily follow the overthrow Of the
tariff. that ought, if possible. to he prevented
Besides, are we certain Ut this reaction! lave
we not been disappointed IN I: as to other meas
ures heretoforel But suppose, after long and
embittered struggle. il shaud come, in what re.
Iative condition would it fad the parts Of this con.
federacys In what state our ruined manufac.
ture>l When they should be laid low, Who,
amidst the fragments Of the general wreck, scat
tered over the face Of the land, would have cour-
age TO engage in fresh enterprises. under new
pledge Of the violated faith Of the Government
II we adjourn, then. without passing this bill.
having entrusted the Executive with vast powers
to maintain the laws. should he be able BY the
next session to put dawn all opposition to them.
will he not, as u necessary consequence Of sue
cess. have more pnwer than ever to put down the
tariff als0l Has he not said that thr south Is up.
pressed, and its burdens ought to be relietrd?-
And will he not feel himself bound. after h" siai
have trumphed, il he may in a civil var, to 40
pease the dlsconents of the. south by a mud'6 H.
ton Of the tariff. in conformity with
its wishes and demands. No, Sir; no, Sir;
let US save the country from the mOSttlread ful of
all caiamities, and let US save its industry. too,
from threatened destruction. Statesmen should
regulate their conduct and adapt their measures
to the exigcncies OF the times in which they live.
They cannot, indeed. transcend the limits Of the
constitutional rule; but, with respect to those
systems Of policy which fall within its scope,
they should arrange them according to the inter-
ests, the wants. and the pref dices of the people.
Two great dangers threaten the public safety
The true patriot will not stop to inquire how they
have been brought about, but will fly to the de-
liverauce Of his country.
The difference between the friends and the foes
of the compromise under consideration, is, that
they would, in the enforcing act, send forth alone
flaming sword. We would send out that also,
but along with it the olive branch. as a messcn-
ger of peace. They cry out, the law! the Law
the law! power! power! power! We. too. re.
Lverence the law, and bow to the supremacy of
its obligations; but we are in favor of the law ex.
ecuted in mildness, and Of power tempered with
mercy. They, as we think, would hazard CT
vii commoton, beginning in South Carolina, and
extending God only knows where. While we
would vndicate the authority Of the Federal Go
vernment, We are for peace, If possible, uuion
and liberty. We want no war. above all. no
civil war, no family strife. We want to see no
sacked cities, 20 desolated fields, no smoking
| ruins, no streams Of American blood shed b,
American arms!
have been accused Of ambition in presenting
this measure. Ambition! inordDate ambition
II had thought of myself only, should have
never brought it forward. know well the per-
Ills to which expose myself; the risk Of alenat
ing faithful and valued friends, with but little
prospect Of making new ones, if any new ones
could compensate for the loss of those whom we
have long tried and loved; and the honest mis-
conceptions both Of friends and foes. Ambition!
If had listened to its soft and seducing wins.
pers; if | had yielded myself to the dictates OF
cold, calculating, and prudential policy, would
have stood still and unmoved. | might even
have gaZed silently on the raging storm, enjoved
its Ioudest thunders. and left those who char.
yed with the care of the vessel Of State to con.
duct it as they could.
have been heretofore unjdstly accused fam.
bition Low, groveling souls. who are utter.
Iy incapable of elevafing themselves to the high.
er and nobler duties of pure patriot'sm-beDgs,
who, forever keeping their own selfish aims in
view. decided all public measures by their pre-.
sumed influence on their aggrandizement, judged
me bv the vena rule which they prescribed to
themselves. l have given to the winds these
false accusations, as cOnsgn that which now
impeaches my motives | have no desire for Of
fioe, not even the highest The most exalted is
but prison, in which the incarcerated incum-
bent daily receives his cold, heartless visIants,
marks his weary hours, and is cut oil from the
practical enjoyment OF all the blessings OF gen.
uine freedom am no candidate for any Office
in the gift of the people Of thr States. united or
sepefated: never wish, never expect to be. -
Pass this bill. tranquiliLe the country. restore
confidence and affection in the Union, and am
willing to 60 home to Ashland, and renounce
public service forever should there find, in
its groves. under its shades. on its lawns, amidst
nv hocks and herds, in the bosom OF nv family,
sincerity and truth. attachment aud 6deity, and
gratitude, which have not always found in the
walks Of public life-Yes. hare ambition,
but it is the ambition Of being the humble insru-
ment, in the hands Of Providence, to reconcile
divided people. once more to revive concord
and harmony in distracted land-the pleasing
ambition of contemplating the glorious spectacle
Of free, united, prosperous, and fraternal Peo-
pie!
Removal.