Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1808-05-19

sterestS of the southern states hold the natives
OF Africa. Whether that adherence BE lust
ornot, 1t IS unnecessary to enquire; but while
that difference IN sentiment exists, their uli-
on will be boundby fragile and brittle thread.
When the lordy planters of Virginia and the
Carollnas are SO far inspired with the satfiotic
love Tor their country, as voluntarily to re-
nounce their wealth, splendor and aristocrat-
zeal dignity, we may reasonably hope for the
longer continuance OF our union. Wonder
inl must be the revolution, if patriot;sm tri--
uinpb over Injury ard self -conddent and in
teres1ed pride.
Events unforeseen and unexpected may,
contrary to the presages Of human know
ledge, produce revolutions in opinions and
situations. 70 look forward into futurity,
and divine the changes, which revolution Of
years may cause, is not within the province
or the ability Of man; and silppositIons and
deductions probable and we'll founded, are all
the insights we possess, into the events and
changes ofiuture ages. If we he allowed to
Judge OF or probable situation in few years,
by referring to causes inluencins, at the mo.
ment, which have at other periods existed "a
mong other nations and people, our differences
will not &c unworthy OF attention, Or devoid
warrant our fears for the stability Ga COME
deracy, whose uniting principles are weak
ened and declined for the continuance OF a
republic, unsupported by virtue, interest, CT
= uongcniality of sentiments and opinlcns-
To an examination Of the prevalence or de-
cline Of TIE original principles, which con-
ctructed and organized our government, a ca
snal and rapid survey Of other circumstances
influencing and afIecsing its continuance, will
rot be eXtraneous.
II as pres't Montesquieu observes, to a LARGE
extent OF territory republican goycrnment
be una&apted, this government iabors under.a
defect which, In It's present stats IS incurable.
| a!u well aware, that the same author has
excepted those governments, which compre-
bend under an extensive and enti, whole,
smaller parts, regulated by laws Of their own,
YET forming together one state, to the well
fare Of which the acts Of the component parts
must be subservient. This however can re-
yer subsiSt, but by similarity and mutual
conjunction OF interests, among the different
inferior states. The clashing of views and
designs must necessarily weaken the confe-
dcracy, and render it incapable Of existence
and support; and even supposing them TO be
united n these points, still TIE other disa9-
vantageS OF the government are immense and
irreperable. i2hc forces ofthe commonwealth
raised and supported with difficulty, arc uaa-
bic from the vast extent ct exposed and tn
defended points, to concentrate in opposition
to impending danger. The policy ot tie Sc
neral governments will not suffer TIE inferior
legislatures TO raise upon every occasion, The
force necessary and adequate 70 defence And
here some remedy being necessary, one only
presents more destructive, # possible, than
the evil itself; force at all tiihes ready to
march to any quarter either alarmed Or ct
tackled. for its defence and protection. From
a government with the meaps Of agnrandize-
ment, ambitious esai.ation at all times ready
at demand, to an oppressive and despotlc arts
tocracy IS step easy, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. una
voidabIe. And great as is he magnitude OF
the evil, attending Sc wide an extent Of terri-
tory, appropriated and consequently and2fend-
ed, ii may excite or astoni5ilrncnt, that 50 in
saiiable desire Of extending End enIars Ing
it, should have displayed Itself il our Execu-
tive. The possession Of the immense tract
Of country, extending from tie h1ississippi
almost indeterm.nately to the west, viii III
voiye us in continual contentious with those
powers, whose possessions border upon our
own doninion. While uncultyated and des-
titule ofthe power OF defence, 1t Will hang as
q clog upon our government, requiring only
support aud nourishment, without contribut-
ing TO tighten the oppressive load by any
counterbalancing advantages /; and political
sagaciiy would perhaps foresee, that when il
has risen into strength and opulcnce, support
ed ard cherished by the marrow Of cur own
wealth ard population, that territory, 10 Itself
en- empire, no longer feeling the necessity of
our tutelage and support, Will encrease int a
state, powerful and wealthy in itscIf, ard for
4l.x,