Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-07-14

position, without disgrace. With not only
T these armies and these officers, but with 90
princes trembling at his power, and holding
the lives and resources of their subjects at
his command; still universal empire is not
within his reach, till his enemy is destroy
ed. Defeat to one party, is destruction -
to the other, only diminution of ill-gotten
power.
g Who can hesitate on which side to
wish success? Who, that has feeling, ho-
nor, or independence, that will not mingle
his prayers with those, which from every
corner of Europe, are hourly, though in-
audibly, ascending to the Throne of Eter-
nal Justice, to blast the common oppressor
of mankind If the British power were
nozv destroyed, how long could Justice pro-
tect her remotest altar from proclamation |?
How long would liberty be allowed rest
ing or hiding place This is the last bar
rier, between whatever people are unsub-
dued, and universal despotism: May it
last to withstand the assaults of the storm,
till the Genius who directs it, is himself O.
verwhelmed by its fury.
6 The British power, great as it fortu-
nately is, does not form a permanent cause
of alarm to other nations, because ii contains
within itself the seeds of its own decay. A
establishment of the balance of power
would restore peace, and after a few years
of peace, half her ships would be rotten,
half her experienced officers no more, while
the same period would be creating & bring
ing forward the resources of her neighbor.
6 1t cannot be the desire of any man to
be at war with France. She has the strong.
est guarantees that we wish to be at peace
with her. The advantages we derive from
commercial intercourse, and the evils OF
war, are sufficient security. that we would
preserve state of amity, if no sacrifices Of
our independence are required. Yet she
should not be allowed to proclaim us her al
lies; and to alledge that she plumbers our
merchants to second the views of our 60
vernment. Do not let Us, however, mis-
take a miserable spirit OF enmity to indivi-
duals, nor the fostering unworthy national
preiudices, for the political vigilance that is
necessary. Let us appreciate justly the
splendid traits of the French character,
while we watch every motion OF that ambi-
tious government.
"The presen. sovereign OF France, tho.
he has lived only halt the common age OF
man, is the most wonderful character that
the world has ever produced. lmmeasura-
blv ambitious, indefatigably active, con-
snmmate politician, daring soldier, a
splendid protector Of the fine arts, ne is
greedy every species Ut renown, and
anxious 10 eclipse the splendor of ancient
and modern times. His fatterer, seldom
talk now of his military exploits, hut dwell
upon his policy, his institutions, and his
public works. To compare him with Alex
anler, Cesar, or Charles XII. is viewing
only parts of his character. He directs the
movements of his veteran armies, and sug-
gests the measures Of his intriguing cabinet.
The acts of every department of govern
ment emanate from him, and every propo-
si,ion is submittedto his revision. His ge-
nerals or his ministers perish at his nod, and
his senate and noblesse hold their existence
at his will. He has planted himself in the
middle of Europe, while his numerous
branches spreading over tributary king
doms, like those of the sacred tree of In
dia, take root, and are all connected with
! the parent stock. He knows thar after the
| bloody prescription of Sylla, the monster
| died in his bed, and that the clemency of
Cesar cost him his life; he therefore never
does deed of mercy, but through policy,
nor is ever turned BY conjunction, from an
act of useful cruelty. He found the cha
riot of government drawn at random, with
frantic, revolutionary vigor, while those
who feeby held the reins were hurled from
| their places and tramp!ed under foot: he
vaulted into the seat, converted into car