Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-08-04

ocean directed by an .insk ilful, 4 not trea-
cherons. pilot. The black ening clouds por-
tend an increase of fury to the storm, while
orr shattered bark is hourly becoming weak
er, and less able to contend with the raging
elements. . !,
In sucl, state of things, is It not OF the
FIRST importance that an able and experienced
,;Iot should be chosen, to conductus tothe
.harbor Of peace and safety! Is not this
subject which ought to interest all the better
feelings of our nature, which should occupy
mr. attention to the exclusion of all masters
of minor consequence
Believing, with the most unfeigned s''l-
ceritv. that the existence Of our country, as
an ;ndependent nation, depends upon the is
cue of the next election, would raise my
feeble voice, to rouse the patriotic part OF
our citizens from that morbid slumher,
which IS the precursor Of death. Recolleet
my countrymen, that in one scale is placed
your interests, your honor, your liberties.
and your earthly happiness in the other,
little temporary exertion, little temporary
exposure, and trifing sacrifice OF Pecml-
ary interests. On which side should the
balance incline? put this question to you
as men, as men Of honor, and as patriots.
The exertion Of some small share Of cou-
rage andvigor may rescue you from the ter
rible and alarming danger which menaces
YOU and your children may restore your
country to her former state OF peace and
prosperity. The exercise of little liberal
ity at this moment, will yield you an ablsnd-
ant harvest in the returning tranquility and
reviyihed spirit and glory Of the nation.--
But if you have not resolution to shake o.ass
your inglorious- inactivity, you must not
complain, if your enemies triumph in your
destruction. They are vigilant, active and
pcrsevering; no efforts viii be spared to IN
sure their success and, if not opposed by
equal efforts, the contest will end in your
humiliation, and in the ruin Of your eoun-
try.
Are these apprehensions unfonnded !?
Look around you and consider. Without
fortified city, which could resist the mos:
inconsiderable naval force, with OUT the sha-
dow of an army, and something less than
the shadow of general, can it be seriously
pretended we are III situation to oppose
the inroaels even OF a petty power? In the
most tranquil times, wise man could not
with complacency contemplate such a sitaa-
ton. But in this age Of revolutions, when
the civilized world is couvulsed to her Cen
ire, when nations, which for centuries had
been free and independent, are falling upon
every side, and a new and overwhelming
empire is rising like Phepix from their asll-
&c the r~e..;e. ni.l. fearful emotion colitem-
plates the result of miserable, degrading
and ruinous policy. The mighty and ambi-
tious monarch Of France has prostrated eve
ny barrier which could oppose his march to
universal dominion, except the nav of G.
Britain. His arrogance increasing with
success, he aspires to command even these
nations, who yet pretend TO independence.
His insolent orders have been received in
cabinet, and strange to tell, even now, lille
our independence is yet green, almost be-
fore the bodies of our revolutionary heroes
are cold in their graves, these orders have
not excited indignation They have not
reused resentment, 1t is the power and am
bition of France that threatens you with de-
struction: beware then Of electing to the
first Office in your gift man VIGOROUSLY I'M
der the influence of FreHch politics.
Two candidates have been proposed by
the democratic party: MIR. Madison of Va.
& gen. Clinton of N. York. Cne,ifs not the
author. yet the supporter Of the late mea-
sures of administration; the other apparent
!1f* hostile to the annihilation Of commerce
and the exposure of our cities. They, are
supported by zeal, which, if displayed in
better cause would rebound to the honor
of the ir partizans. But the contest between
them is not a contest for principle, it is q
suuabble for office. They are not influenced