Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-07-20

| II the men of any party really mean
well to their country, they wlilthrow wade
!. every window, and strive to open new ones
to let the light beam in from every side up
! on the public mind. They will themselve'
read, knowing as they must, that if the
principles laid down are bad, they must re-
sect or refute them, and if good they ough
10 be adopted and that to read them may
dosgood, bat cannot do harm. But if or
the contrary, they not only will notread but
doalfthev can to prevent Others from read.
ing. they -as plainly as if they were confess
ing their sins ona death bed, confess that
they have apurpose oftheir own much ear-
elto their hearts than the public good
purpose which they are conscious Will no!
bear the light
Asst is now however, the people make up
their judgements and decisions on political
affairs something in the same way that a
certain King of England once nsadv Up his.
The anecdote is recorded but where va
cannot tell, it being near thirty years srsce
we readit. Though il should rot help to
convince, it may possibly amuse our rea-
ders, particularly as very few Of them have
any violent disincfration to relish jest
founded on kingly weakness.
famesthe EirstefEnglana end Sixth Of
Scotland, soon after he came from the latter
country to fill the throne of the former, be-
ing much learned and considerably pedan-
tic withal, took into his head to sitone day
inthe court ofKing's Bench, to hear causes.
I he first cause that came on attracted his
whole attention; and tae statement of the
plaintiffs case excited his indignation and
astonishment, at the roguery of the defen-
dant. What said the well meaning Pc
dant to himself, is it possible that have
such knaves for subjects? I'll send them
all packing. The defendants counsel get
ting up to speak, James peremptoriIy order
ed to him 81. down, telling him the thing was
so plain and black that no human ingenuity
could put another colour upon it. The
Chief Justice, however, telling hin that it
was the custom and the law of England to
hear both sides, let what would be right or
winch wrong, his Majesty reluctantly, and
not without very mean opinion of the
Chief Justices understanding, and OF the
law, in such cases, consented. But the de-
fendant's lawyer had scarcely proceeded
thro' half the statement of his clients case,
when James bounced up in passion, and
left the court, ezelasmingaioud Hootawa
wi ye-aw, for clan Of cauny regues as ye
are defy the Deel himsalt to ken which is
the bigger. muckle lyar between ye.''
Touching the folly as well as injustice of
deciding upon any question without hearing
both sides, there is pretty and instructive
story which George Alexander Stevens of
ingenious memory introduced upon heads.
Though the story is injured, and looses
much Off effect when taken out of his own
words, thereis SO much Of shrewd familiar
morality in it that we are tempted to offer
1t, from our faded recollection, to our rea-
der's perusal.
In the days of chivalry two knights arm
ed cappapee travelling in opposite direc-
tons, met at cross roads where in the mid
die OF alarge space that separated them there
stood erected lofty pillar with carved
head and helmet on the top. What pi-
ty it is, Sir Knight, said one Of them to tn
other, that ssch fine bright silver head
should 81 exposed in an open solitary place
like this" : Itwould be pity if 1t were
SO, Sir Knight, returned the other courte-
ousiy, but this upon the pillar being a
black head it matters but little It's being so,
exposed. You must be mistaken, Sir
Knight, said the one: Not at all said the
other. It is white head said a5he FIRST:
LISA black head said the other. As they
were obstinate politicians in those days,
each resolutelv maietained the truth of his