Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1801-10-13

derat administration found it nccenary to
check the licenfe of abufe, the other will
find It no lefs 70, fuppoing them TO be
equal in talents and integrity but itthey
prove inferior, and their operations be-
come the objects of afpcriion we are to
hook not for iedition act, but inquiitorial
DEGREES: Then we ihall fee thar common
law, whole adoption by his country, was
fome few months ago difputed universally
applied as a corrective of the prefs and the
tyrannical doctrine of libels adhered to +;
the overthrow Of which was one of the
consequences of the reproba,ed fedition
bill. The inconiifency is nothing
remember their farmer Object was to dc
troy administration, their breient is to
confirm its exiitence. The law of libels
is monttrous, though contitutional, and
fhould it ever be executed upon US, truR
we will have energy enough to frivc az a
reform. We viii! not fubmit TO the lace
rations of weapon. which generoity for
babe US to ufe againlt our adverfaries-
No! The liberty of the prefs is our
mott valuable right; but this liberty is
nothing if fettered By the tyranny Of the
law of libles, and furely we will not be
robbed of our beit privilege without one
effort 70 preierve it. Remember we have
been told, that virtuous government
need no fedition act to fupport it, and that
the public ientiment would ever do it juf-
tice: If hereafter thefc men fhould sdvo-
cate laws more binding and fevere, fufpett
their Integrity; challenge their difinter-
ettednels and oppofc with the ardor offree-
men the infringement of your rights. If
our place men fhould adhere TO the fpirit
of cur contribution, truit they would
find supporter in every member of the
federal body. Federalias would never be
induced to join in oppotition to men,
whole demeanor difplayed a refpctt for our
chartered privileges But on the contrary,
they would afford liable fupporr to ad-
mlniRration, and in the moment of trial
and danger, they would rally round the
eonitituted authorities, they would brave
every peril in their defence, and one COM
mon ruin ihould involve them and the in
dependence of their country.--If this diff
petition fhould be abuied, by a marked
contempt of our fentimcnts if our rulers
will purfue fyaem of politics, which
ihall endanger the grand pillars of our
contribution; if, in the parfuit of vifionary
or philosophical theories, they forget that
they are dealing with Americans !; you
will not tamely be impofed on---you will
itep forward in noble defence of your
country, and with manly reGaance op-
pofe your zeal and parriotifm to unconfi-
tutional aggrefiion. But it is to be ex-
petted, that the limits of decency and or
der will ever bound your defence, and
that detraction will be profcribed from
your centuries The public good being
your aim, truth will be your weapon ;
and you will never 70 far forget your(elvcs
as to become iubjects liable TO the penal
ties ofa iediton act. Remember that you
repreient the dignity of people, AID il
you fhould defend to fbameful fcurrility
and unlicenf-d abuf-, the national cha
raeter faffers degradation--your frmneE
ihould be tempered with moderation - and
when PNHjISmeRt not reformation is our
object, you will not pats unnoticed the vi.
clous defects Of individuals. AT the pre-
tent moment lay iecure but prudent hold
on the charter of your liberties, when the
form of contention increafes; feize with
Deceive grafp, and let the whirlwind Of
deitructlon bear you off in company.
ADRASTUS.