Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-10-20
Dailu Gazette, 6 Dollars per ana'1H',
Country Gazette. S Dollars.
From the North Americxa.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

q
sher variegated adversafies. But they are
sensible of the near approximation OF some
individuals of the democratic party, to their
own opinions and principles, than others
For example, they are apprehensive OF no
deadly hostility to commerce. from Mr.. Geo.
Clinton and they would expect from Mr..
Monroe patriotic impartiality towards O.
their nations, as well as protecting solicit
tuae fer the real Independence OF the Union.
From both they would expect greater reve-
renee for the legal and constitutional prcvl-
sions in favor OF liberty, than from any lnein-
Der of the present administration, which has
repeatedly and Aagrantly violated them.
In state. or districts, where the contest
lies exclusively between two persons Of the
party opposed to the iederallsts, we agree
with the Norfolk Ledger, that the federal
ISIS ought not to remain inactive. Every
freeman is bound to give his opinion by bis
suffrage. 1t does not often happen, that he
can have choice between perfection and its
contrast. His Judgment Is more frequently
required to make difficult choice be-
tween various degrees Of imperfectlon.-
This daty is exsmplifed and en-
sorcca, by what is to take place IN
Virginia, early in the next month, with
respect 70 the Presidential Election. there
willbs but tao candidates offered, Mr.. Mon-
roe and Mr.. Madison. Both OF them have
stood in the foremost ranks Of opposition TO
isderaiisss but In the present state OF
things, there is room for decided prefer
eace between them. Mr.. Madison has had
a conspicuous share IN that ruinous system
Of policy, which has reduced as to greater
distress, and sunk Ills deeper in the estlina-
ton of an impartial world, than any merely
accidental complication of events could pos
Silly have produced, if coanteracted by We
ry moderate share Of circumspection and
skill. Mr.. Monroe and his friends, ON the
contrary, have in their writings and speeches
publicksy condemned the most pro,nlnent OF
those measures, the maturity OF which has
~ length overwhelmed us. They were oP-.
posed to the tribute to France, IN the shape
of settling the boundaries between us and
Spain they were opposed to the act OF re-
ssricfing the intercourse with England they
were III favor of a treaty with her; and a.
Love all, they are averse to the continuance
of the embargo. They have proved, that
neither their sense of the injuries received
from England, nor her former favor Tor
France, has rendered them blind to the best
good and the fair character of their country.
They have, in short, proved that their ne
publican principles are much less flexible,
thar, their adherence to party.
s. Whether this spontaneous justice, Rowing
from the political quarter II does, may upon
a LARGE scale, prove beneficial to their views
and expectations, is of no importance to me.
Il cpght, however, to be weighed By the te-
leralists in Virginia, and thus may contri-
butte to aA6x these marks upon the public O.
pinion. which will serve to distinguish, It's
sseal tendency. For should the majority OF
votes for electors, III favor OF MI. Madison,
I be considerable in that state, the new admit
nistration, should any be ever formed under
his auspices, will act upon the apparent sup
port of SO powerful, important and respecta-
bic state, weight which will impinge It.
nobody can tell how fofcibiy, against other
political denominations. But should Mr..
Monroe obtain a majority, those who are to
gather up the shattered concerns OF the ma
ton, and arrange them again, will proceed
with greater confidence, whilst countenan-
ced by such an implied disavowal OF the err
rors of their predecessors. In this point OF
view, It appears to us, the solemn duty OF e.
very federal man, not only to give his vote,
bat to use his exertions, on the day OF cleo
zion, to ensure the preference to Mr.. Mon
rec. $780,
1t may be objected, that Mr.. Monroe
cannot be elected President, and that we do
not wish him tobe elected. What the Is
sue of the canvass viii be, is. uncertain.
But we hope, that eventuallyit will termi-
nate in favor of General Pinekney. Were