Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1807-10-02
PREFACE
TO THE pHAMpHLEr ENTITLED Tn E;
BRITISH TREATY.


ioterfere ia the measures of The govern.
sment; and from the apprehension that
such interference, instead OF doing good
might produce evil a majority of our
counsrymen seems determined TO approve
whatever our rulera do; and even TO give
praise for wtat they leave undone. sve
believed, therefore. that, borne on tide
of popularity, they weuId disdaio what we
could say and might pursue their course
sill more pertlnaciously shcsld we declare
our opinion tha, itleads TO ruin.
This though an evil, was net the great.
est which We apprehended. We have long
seen the American people acting & think
ing uoder a impression that the wisest
aud most virsuous among US have 40 inter
est distinct from their fellow citizens;
that they wish TO tyrannizs and cppress;
shas they want 10 be lords and kings. And
although it is Acknowledged thar ao'hing
could be more absurd than scheme to
establish monarchy or aris.ocracy, II has
bsen taken for granted that men noted for
their judgment are engaged in that rldi.
Culous project. tthis.produced 60 other
effect than 10 exclude them from the ma
tional councils, We should consider It as a
misfortune. We should however console
ourselves with the hope, that quiet course
of things would render the employment OF
their talents unnecessary OF that It storms
cloud the political horiz %, they would as
virsuous citizens, be ready at the call OF
their counuy. But We have seen more
serious consequence result from the, false
direction OF public sentiment. The mea.
sures which such recommended are consi.
dered as part of the measures attributed TO
them. Aud they exercise the conn
mos right and perform the common duty
of freemen, to express their opinion OF a.
ny measure of government which appears
TO them unwise or improper, it is attgibut.
ed TO desire of making mischief betwesa
the people and their friends. Indeed a
singular advantages has been taken even OF
their la'ents, TO render their exertions 10
effseiual Such il is said is their power
to persuade, that those who listen are lost
wherefore the people must turn dss::
ear TO their arguments. And such II IS said
is their power 10 misrepresent, itatethe
president and his friends da,e NOT Indulge
themselves 10 explaining the principle Of his
couducf. But since the people knowhe is
their sincere friend, the abless and bessman
In. America, they Cannot act more pras
IDENTIFY than to repose confidence 10 him.
and adopt the nnaxIms which emanase from
his mind. Hence ii has happened that &c.
morally speaking, whaseyerthcse who ad,
minister the government have ihought pro.
per to say or do, has been received AID a
depted as perfectly wise, from which at
length has resulted the very great evil,
that where their opinion or conduct has
been traced up to maxims dangerous aud
false, error has been adopted as an article
offaith. Seeing all this We could not but
.pprehend, thai i. might be dangerous to
publish the matter contained in the follow
ing pages. We feared that from blind con
6depce 90 one side, arS blind enmisy on.
the other, fslse. notions might prevail and
be established respecting our exterior rela-
tions. of which foreigners would DOT taii
70 take advantage Butt, is 40 easy paas-
ter TO &c, loose from treaties with a.greas
power. And althoush.it is a mislortnce
to be bound by treaties unequal and iaJu
rious. that is not the only misfortune. The
jealousy of rival ,powersis excited, and
then take every convenient accession TO
make as feel their resentment.
A late event has reused public indigna-
,ion aud Americans waking from their
long dream, appear DESTROYS OF knowing
their condition. We see with houestpride
the spirit of our country. Neither sub,
mission to insult with the view TO save
money, nor the disgsaceful expediep: of
purchasing delusive tranquility have yet
mncrved the public mind.
Il may be expected that we should say