Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-11-01

. . si5 49, 3 & COX t- r,
cross with tie gospel, our only hope ofsal-
walton, it must appear horrid crime; but
to protestant we my easily conceive it
might appear Of little moment, end by no
me ans as a remuneration Of the gospel.
You have now furnished in your own per.
son an additional example, and a mosfsuik-
ing one, of identifying The symbol with the
substance. In your letter TO me, youueas
the cross and the gospel as the same sning.
Had l been sufficiently aware OF the force
of that habit Of combination among the ca
tholics, especially in mind Of thosr acute
perceptions and strong scnsihiilies which 1
know to belong to yours, | should surely
have suppressed the engraving.
You must perceive by this time, that you
have mistaken my principles and feelings in
another point OF view. You suppose
should be greatly ct!inded TO SEC the SYM
bols OF liberty, so dear to NE, uamplrd un-
der foot before my eyes" Not at all, my
friend. Leave to me and my country the
great realities of liberty, and freely give
you up its emblems. There was no time
in the American revolution, though was
then young and enthusiastic, when you
might not have cut down every liberty pole
and burnt al, the red caps in the y. States,
and would have looked on with tranquil
ty, perhaps have thanked you for your trou-
bic. My habits of feeling and reasoning,
already accounted for, had accustomed me
to regard these trsppings rather as detrl-
mental than advantageous TO the cause they
are meant to support. These images we
never greatly multiplied in this country.
have seen more liberty caps at one sitting OF
the Tacobn club in Paris, than were ever
seen in all America.
You will say perhaps that it is the differ
ence of national character which makes the
distinction. This is doubtless true but
what has been the cause Of this difference
in the character OF our two nations! Has
not the universal use oil emblprns in one,
and the almost total disuse of them in the
other, had as great if net greater effect
than all other causes, in producing such diff
ference? do not say that our national cha
'ac,er rs better than yours; far from it.
speak frankly, thiak you underralue the
French character, have . high esteem for
that nation. They are an apliable, intelil
gent, generous, hcspitaLle, unsuspicious
people. say nothirg O! their government,
whether regal, Revolutionary Or imperial.
In private friendship they are as disintcrest-
I'd and mistaken, at least as any people |
have seen. OF this could cite numerous
examples, both within my own experience
and that of others: though it would stab
lish my position ii my own mind if were
able TO mention norc but YOU.
1t would indeed be paying too high a
compliment to any nation On earth TO cite
Grego,e as sample Of its moral and social
character. If all catholics had been like
you. the world at this day would all be Ca
lholics. And may say, hope without
offence, that if all Pagans had been like you,
the world had al: been pagans there might
nave been no need Of catholics, TO pretext
for the sect of purtans.
This is an amicah!r discussion between
you and me. The suavity of your manner
does honor to the tortitade with which you
defend your principles; though it is not
easy to perceive against what opponent you
are def. nriing them. Your letter cxpa,iates
III wide field and embraces many subjects.
But really, my friend, the greater part OF it
aas nothing more to do with me than one OF
Ciceros letters to Atticus. You begin by
that have renowned christi |
anity myself, and that attempt to overturn
the system by ridcule and insult. Neither
of which is true; for neither OF which have
you the least color Of proof. No, my ho-
nest accuser, the proof is not in the book. (
Review the work with all The accumen of
your diseernment, and you must, you will |
recall the hasty accusation. defy YOU and !,
all the critics of the English language TO .