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

been deprived of its influence upon the mo-
rails and manners of mankind, or the French
Revolutionary principles had hardened the
heart against remorse, and dismissed that
symptom of grace the blush from the cheek
of men, we say it was then the custom with
the, very worst when detected IN a:alsehood
or trick, to fall back, and take a new posi-
ton, even though it should not be bess
ter one, but never 70 return again w1tn thae
which had seen once discovered. It's o.
therwise now. The detected trlckster and
falsi6er now comes back undlsmayed by
repulse and unabashed BY detection, and a,
gain, and again, though bsmed, attempts 70,
fasten upon the same stale imposition, the
same hnngling deception, which had hun
bred times before been reiuted ant! dismiss,
ed with disgrace. Some OF the anti .fede-
1al prints carry this Is, All EXCESS OF which
even Partisan Editor nj ht well be astiam-
eea. The truth as, and It IS a melaecholy
ore, that his found to answer thelrPurpose
md if perchance any o. them s!iouldieel
some slight checks from remorse, they
compound the matter with their eenscaences
by saying to them, g pish, no mater, # the
people viii be deceived let them; that is
their business not ours" Ia fact the mis-
rtaeflie here: The people OF America
will read only what is written on that side
to which the fancy or the interest otthe IN
dlvidual himself attaches him what he
finds there he naturally believes first be.
cause it Ratters his hopes and chimes IN
with his fancy and caprice, and secondly,
because, being SO far as his knowledge ex-
tends, uncontradicted, hehas no direct real
son to suspect its authenticity. We may
add another reason. which for the homer OF
human nature we hope, and indeed believe
to be true: namely, that the many, though
liable to imposition, are not sufficient
" corrupt to suspect their fellow creatures
of wilfully leading them astray by dellbe-
rate talsehood and misreprese ntation. We
do not saybutthat this wilful exclusion OF
light on the part of the people is the mis-
fortune (though perhaps not IN an equal de-
gree) of both sides. But of this they may
all be assured, that they will never be able
to form correct opinion of their public at.
fairs, or public servants, until they have
come to a resolution to read and dispas-
sionatcly- consider what is said, andwritten
on both sides of the question. AS well
might Judge or a jury assume to decide
upon the merits of cause by hearing the
statement of the plansR only, or by going
out of court during the statement of the
plAntif's case, and listening only to thar of
the defendant, as any may hope to form a.
just Judgement Of the political cifcumstan-
ees of his country, without diligently read
ing and deliberately discussing and digest
ing in his own mind, the arguments AMI e.
.vidences or, both sides. This proposition
is so plain that it lies1level with every COM
raon unders aiding, & yet there is no place
called free wnereltis solittle acted upon
as in tAmerica the groundwork, the na-
ture, and the form of whose government
4presumes every citizen capable Of forming
tolerabiy correct opinion of poll men
ard political measures. Without this pre-
paration of the mind, an elective govern
m ntis the worst that can be conceived,
being inlesl essence government Of cabal,
intrigue, ana demagoguical deception.
We VINO wish we'll to the federal cause up
On principle, should be sorry TO see it rise
upon such bad bottom as partially 20
party founded on deception and ignoranGe.
Aid we solemnly declare that we woald
desire no stronger pledge Gifts success, than
an assurance that every man in the union
who read Faperat all shouldread a paper
on both sides. oftais the.anti -federal party
are aware, and they act accordingly tof in
stead Of saving to the people, as we would
read both sides, and be convinced, they do
every thing they can to discourage their