Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-09-28

civil liberty has charm which attracts tin
heart OF man, and to whose influence non
but the most base and worthless are Inseusl
bic. Liberty rightly understood, IS the sourc
OF civilization and the germ OF every improve
meat which amellsrates the condition OF man
Like every Other benefit, it has been abuse'
| and converted to the advancement OF evil pur
/ poses. The understanding has been perpiex
I ed with various and confused definitions, an
1t has even been made to justify total dlsre
! gard of the laws, and a conduct which tence
to anarchy. But whatever enquiries may re-
suit from so great an extension OF our idea
upon individual liberty, certain 1t Is that all CT
yilized people are interested in the preserval
on ofeyery nation independence, or politlca
! freedom, secure from the control ct every 10
| reign power. A band Of, patriots Struggling
to oppose tyrant who seeks their subJugatl
on, present picture which the moral ey'
must contemplate with pleasure. The hear
of beneFolence will lhro5 with indignation a
gainst their oppressor, and the orizo ms OF pie
ty will ascend in their behalf.
Let US suppose, that the scenes which are
passing In review before Us, were OF Older
date; that instead Of having eur transitory
passions engaged to blind OF mislead cur I'M
derstandings, we could contemplate IN the
historians page as events which had passed
away, and had ceased TO influence the moral
and political relations of our own time. Up
on such review o. the history of the present
period, what would be our reflections Lei
us open the page of history and read.--A fe-
rocious and sanguinary despot has subjected
the fairest portion of the world beneath has
iron sceptre. The liberties of all nations are
menaced by his power, while their weak ru-
lers are awed at the aspect of his force, and
tremble at the thought OF his vengeance. In
such a state, one people have the courage and
virtue to resist they resolve not to be slaves,
and by their spirit and union havs reasonable
prospect Of preserving their own independ-
cnce and checking the alarming and rapid pre-
grcss of their enemy. While all brave and
loyal men Of every country are animated with
enthusiasm by their gallant exertlons, and
warmed with gratitude for their etorts to
serve the common cause of liberty, humanity
and free governments, the Chief Magistrate
of a Republic, and infant people character
ize, bv their devotion to freedom, is called
on to express his sentiments upon their stu
alton and conduct. In the most cold and IN
different manner he notices their glorious re-
yoution, merely styling its contest tor the
government" without expressing sentiment
in their favor, or exhibiting symptom Of
tina, generous indignation, which pertidy, cru
city and Injustice never fail to raise in VIZ
tuous breast
The characters here referred to will with
ease be recognized. The feature In Mr.. jet
Persons answer to the Boston petition te
which we here allude, has not escaped obser
vation. Justly has 1t been considered an evi
dence Of the manner in which he views the
glorious revolution in Spain, and OF his hXeo
and unalterable inclination to further the pro
gross of french principles and French power
Il is not in this way that an attachment to the
cause of real liberty can be displayed. 1t is
noi in this m amer that the feelings OF brave
and independent Americans should be repre-
sented.-Whatever may be the sentiments
and inclnations of our unfeelins and servlle
administration. we have not lost the feelings
of men. We love liberty and revere Its de-
tenders. We hail the people OF SPAN as
band of patriots, who have determined not to
endure oppression, and we heartily WISH them
success, both for the sake of humanity and
for the regard we feel for our own ndepend-
encc and safety. menaced by the same tyraht
with whom they now contend. Such are the
feelings of genuine Americans. uncorr ptee
by French influence, and whose devotion to 9
political idol does not obscure the light OF rea
son, and render their hearts impervious to the
influence of truth and virtue.
-: E
IN COMMON COUNCIL,