Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-09-03
convinced of this truth We find the ed

pument. at which we have before hinted--
ITO deprive us of our right OF election, we
have been represented as too ignorant to
Isexercise it with wisdom, and too turbulent
! 10 enjoy it with safety. Sunk in ignorance,
eReminated by luxury, debased by oppres-
sion. we were it was said incapable Of ap-
lp,rresiiating FREE constitution, fit were 81
ven, or feeling the deprivation, if it were
denied. The sentiments which were excit.
ed by this humiliating picture, may be
imagined, but cannot be expressed, con-
sisLent with the respect we owe your honor
Z able body. We were wiling, however to
asetibe it 10 the want Of correct iniofma-
ton, but we could not avoid wondering that
i, should be so very defective, as to have
drawn from The names OF some districts in
our country, an argument az to the Ian
|" guage spoken in them, which proved fatal
10 an important amendment to the BILL
j We could not imagine what had excited the
j idea of our efeminacy and profuslon; and
!, the laborious planter at his frugal meal
beard, with smile of-bit.erness and con-.
tempt, the descriptions published al Wash
/ .ington, of his opulence and luxury
/. As to the degree OF information diHused
/ through the country, we hanlbly request
! that some more correct evidence may be
4 PRODUCED than the superficial remarks that
= have been made by travellers or residents,
who neither associate with Us nor speak
Pour language many OF us are native cltI-
f-zens of the United States who have par
.iatici,5sted in that kind OK knowledge which.
is there spread amongthe people, the others
,gsnerally'are men who will not suffer, by
q. sompari.on with the population OF any o.
4 ther colony. Son1e'disadYantages as 10 edr-
! cation in the highest branches Of literature,
j have lately attended US, bat the original
|settlement of the province was marked by
circumstances peculiarly favorable in this
respect, itwas made al no great date, at
la period when science had attained great
degree of perfection, and froIa country
! In which it fourished many individuals
possessing property and rank, which sup
Ipose a,librral education were among the
first settlers, and perhaps there would be
lno vanity in asserting that the first estab-
/ lshment OIL ouisanna, might vie with that
of any other in America, for the ,reePec-
taSility and information OF those who COM
lposed it; theirdescendanss now respectfully
! call for the evidence which proves that
I they have degenerated SO as to become to-
Italy incompetent tothe task Of legislation /;
foraour love of order and submission to the
| laws We can confidently appeal TO the whole
history of our settlement, and particularly
to what has lately passed. In those dan-
gerous moments. when il was uncertain at
T what pi:nt our political vibrations would
| stop when national prejudice, personal
interest, factious views, and ambitious de-
| signs, might be supposed 70 combine for
the interruption of our -repose when in the
| frequent changes to (which we have bsen
subject, the authority of one nation was
weakened, before thesother had established
its power In those moments Of crisis and
danger, no insurrection disturbed, no riot
disgraced us, the voice%of seeil7ion was SD
lent; and before magistrate was appoint
ed, good morals served instead OF laws,
and Above Of order instead OF civil power;
it is then as unjust to tax us with tutbu-,
lence,as it is degrading TO reproach US with
ignorance and vice,
/ But let US admit that by scu7e train Of
| reasoning to which we are strangers, by
some. ;incomprshensible fatility We are cut
OFF from our national rights, and form an
unfortunate exception 10 those general prin-
fciples on which Jour revolution ard go.
Evernmsntx isre founded !; that there is no
t clause for us in the great charter of na-
ture, and ttsew must look for our free
dom to- another source; yet we are not
wi,houe a claal, one arising from solemn
stinnl alton, add accnrdi nn.to oar ideas fill