Phenix Gazette

For some days we have received scarcely any thing by the mails, but accounts of the celebrations of the 4th in different places, and of the various toasts drank on the occasion.

These toasts are not to be taken as much as things which he would disapprove of in his cool moments. However we may generally judge, from their number and drift, which way (in nautical phrase) the land lays.

And we are rejoiced to find that the unnatural project of Disunion has, at the late celebration, been at least toasted down. The sentiments of the southern people, and especially the people of Virginia, run even stronger than we supposed, against this nefarious scheme. The opinion of the South, expressed on that day, was: "Disgrace and confusion to the wretch who meditates the interruption of our harmony."

We are glad to find, too, that the people are unanimous and hearty in the approbation of the cause of Internal Improvements. We know of no instance in which success was not drank to Roads and Canals.

The statesmen who planned and the heroes who achieved our independence, have also been mentioned with proper and becoming respect. Indeed, on such a day, it was impossible to neglect this band of patriots "like the prophetic books of the sybil, increasing in value as they diminish in number."

By far the largest part of the toasts given refer to the Presidential Election. We have marked on occasions like the one to which we refer, and indeed on all occasions, the friends of the Military Candidate are remarkably loud and noisy. Half a dozen Jackson men will make a greater fuss than a score of Adams men. Happily, however, we know it is vox et praeterea nihil. But, notwithstanding all their clamor, our friends stood firm, and expressed their preference in a decided but perhaps not boisterous a manner. If the toasts drank at the late celebration are to be taken as an evidence of popular opinion, the administration stands high in the favour of the people. Their votes at the next election will confirm this.

The Richmond Whig has some very severe and very just remarks on two toasts given at the late celebration in Richmond by the Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth. An officer in the State Government, occupying a high and official station, who condescends to throw aside the dignity of Office, and to mingle in the party strife which agitates the land, and condescends further to repeat stale and vulgar slanders against distinguished public characters, merits the censure of the wise and good, and will most certainly receive it.