Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-11-15
Fson THE PUBIC LEDGER.

DAMS, an EXTENDED navy eSsss SCH . pliA.S
ING up on our coasts. The peaceful hus-
bandman, the industrious mechanic, the
commercial sailor, and even the young
man sof genius and education. were seen
deserving their plough, thsiTlaom, thepur-
suits Of "a lucrative trade, and the improve
men,s 81 a liberal study, andjoining them
selves to the motley, disciplined, and de.
graded crew of vessels of war;"
The ENQUIRER Ga publication of dis.
/: tinguished mrrit) of the 31st ultlmo, con-
tains piece signed AN AMERICAN, from
which the above extract is taken. HE
conspicuous place assigned 20 IT BY the r.
ditor authorizes US 70 conclude that the
sentiments it contains are his own, or thai
they meet his tull appreciation.
We think it would be impossible to pc
ruse the sentence which we have extracted
without being astonished at the absurditiee
! into which some men may be hurried By
party zeal.
1t was hoped and believed That there wa.
not rejecting American who did not p
prove of the equipment OF our navy, attht
time alluded to. The United States wer,
forced into the measure, or otherwise
(Which they were not then prepared for,
they must have totally resinquished an ex
tensive and lucrative commerce upoI
which the revenues Of our governmentin ;
great degrees depended.
1t was not until French cruizers insulted
and plundered us even IN sight of ouI
ports; it was not until our commerce wa,
menaced with extinction, or pursued al
the most imminent hazard it was not un
til We had lost every hope OF redress fol
past, or assurance of forbearance from I'll
ture injuries; itwas not until the patisncs
of the citizens was completely exhausted
that the equipment of the navy was rssolv
ed on. Then indeed, it was pursued witt
vigour. The public treasury was not vast
ed by visionary and impracticable schemes
nor upon whimsical and useless sun-boass
An efficient force was employed, which
produced advantages evengreater than were
at first expected.
The American character never stood
higher than at that moment; was aeyel
more respected than on that occasion. Nc
nation can prevent others from doing them
an injury in the first instance; the disgrace
must proceed from supine endurance Of
wrong, when it possesses the power, by {
timely and spirited resentment TO put ar
end 70 it.
But mark the consistency of the friend;
of Mr.. Jefferson. Under Mr.. Adams, &C.
cording to them, it was criminal TO equip {
navy for the protection OF our commerce
aud revenues, against the predatory ag
gresslons of a rapacious and insolcnt foe
who assaulted Us even III our harbours
Under Mr.. Ieferson's administrator .
war has been maintained for four years
and a formidable feet commissioned a
gaiast contemplate foe, that attacks be-
a small fraction of our trade, and in Z
distant quarter.
Let it not be thought that we mean a
ny ceAsure on this last step taken BIZ ths
administration. Tardy and procrastinatet
as il has been, it was necessary; and tht
only censure which we would attach tc
she conduct of the Tripoline war, is tina
of not being decisive in the first instance
Che same measures that may now succeed
would have had the same chance of sue
ceeding then.
Bypointing out the tendency which sucl
paragraphs a, the above are calculated for
we have principally IN view, to shew how
frequently the ssrong desire fthe dsm0crat
to cast censure upon the administration
OF federalist, betravs them into di
rect censuie of their own party. This i
not their intention, but it is very natura
consequence, and is striking example o
retrlbutive justice.
The writer in the Enquirer treats with
indignation the dsgeneracy of every class o