Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1807-10-02

terms so injurious as to pntus IN the wrong
Then. indeed, wa may be answered 10 a
HIGH tone storepel the insult of threatening
language which, as il is addressed 70 fear
aud not to justice, implies the opinion that
we have 90 deal with scoundrcIs and cow
ards. When, therefore, we express an
opinion that the British government will,
for It's own sake, give satisfaction, u -
from the condition expressed BY admiral
Berkeley, and which would at any rate
have been implied, that they are wiling
ia their turn TO submit their ships OF war
te search. This we believe they never
viii submit to, and shsrelors presume ad,
miral Berkeley will lose his commission
for making the offer
We may be mistaken 10 our view OF the
course of events. Things may be brought
TO the alternative of submitting TO insult
or going to war, 10 that case, not pre-
,endipg TO conceal the misfor,unes which
must attend hostility. we think every thing
is to be done and suffered to vindica,e the
national honor. These are the constant
sentiments of our hearts unmoved BY the
irrifa,iens Of the moment. These also
are the deliberate conclusions Of our judg.
mens. If any gentlemen suppose that the
war will be feeble and harmless, they will
be deceived. linus. be severe and bloc.
dy. But ie must be sustained nanfaiiy.
And We have SO good an opinion Of Eng.
land, that We think she will not like US the
worse for fighting her on the poios Of no,
nor. 10 the mean tine il becomes US to
sus:ain the dignity Of our character by the
language and department. OF seif-rsspec'.
Let il be rene mbered that foul and abu
sive terms come with proprl5sy from the
mouths Of none but prostitutes and COW
ards.
fn the following sheets We have eadsa-
vofed TO avoid reproach and elimination.
In some instances indignation has burst
forth. We might, it is confessed, DOW
soften the terms. Butreally there are &C.
casions on which wholly TO restrain the
warmth Of expression implies defect OF
honest sentiment And there ars subjects
also, to treat which in the cool style Of
narration, is to be,ray the cause Of virtue
Aware that it may be said we are per-
sonally hostile to the ADMINISTRATION, We
think II proper to put the question at rest,
by declaring candidly our opinloa. We
consider. then, Mr.. Gallasin IS an efdci-
ent man Of real talents. We did not ap.
prove. neither do we now approve OF mis-
appciasmsni; but we forbear 10 assign
the reason, because, as far as it has cone
TO Our knowledge, his conduct is nor re-
prehensible. We believe, moreover. that
he is rot swayed by pecuniary motives.
We are convinced tha. he touched nothing
IN the Louisiana concern, and have Go
reason TO suppose he will pocket any part
OF the sum 10 be expended 10 purchasing
the Fsoridas, We consider Mr.. Madison
as e1an Of considerable genius, though
somewhat SLOW, and of great Industry -
We approve Of ais appointment. We
knew indeed that he WIS 8 man OF feeble
mind; and had seen with concern that he
gave himself up TO FIR. IefFegsor, withos.
reserying The use Of his OVID Judgment.
When we krst knew him he was a youth
OF ingenious temper, whose ignorance OF
the world exposed him 10 become the prey
OF any sharper (of either sexl by whom he
might be assaulted. From defec, Of hrm
ness in the texture Of his mind, and per.
haps also from a defect Of edueailoD, he
was not 10 the habit OF recurring always to
hxed principles for decision on conduct
and opinions. So long, however, as he
hung 90 the araa o. Washington, his course
was steady, and gained him honor. But the
instant Bt- ie: so lnathold, he fe!. into arick.
city condIsioc, from which he never reco.
veredi aud is now in a deep decline Of cha
racser. for wh;chwe. &c ar there is 20 remedy.
The first s;Aent symptom was apanegy-
rick on the French constitution the more
extraordinary, as ,hatSiassrument. in.allias