Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-02-10

not been any. thing like party question, ana
that the two political parties Whichusually
appear in this house have been nearly equally
divided upon it. The fact is, that the APP
parent hardness Of our proceeding on this
point has been occasioaed more by a ellfier-
ence of opinion as to what were the most
appropriate means of national defence, than
by any doubt whether the essential rights OF
the nation should be defended in that mode
which should ultimately be thought to be
upon the whole the most expedicnt and chi
cient. Another consideration has undoubt-
edly had its influence ia lettering the go
vern,nent from launching into those extern
siva measures of hostile preparation winch
have perhaps been too long delayed. there
can be no question that the most ardent de-
sire of the government has been for the pre-
servation of peace if it could in any con-
sistence with the national rights and honor
be preserved. and in proportion as their De
sire has been ardent, no doubt we have Hat
tered ourselves with the expectation that 1t
might yet be preserved. Perhaps this re-
lance has already been cherished too long
and as the storm thickens around lis and the
politica! horizon assumes a more threaten
ing aspect, we. are now progressing more
rapidly in The preparations for system
different from that system which has until
this time been pursued, and in this work we
may very properly cali upon gentlemen OF
al political parties to unite their efforts, ana
contribute whatever they can 10 the defence
Of their country. It is said that the army
which was provided for at our last session
has been organized upon party principles,
and offered generally from one, political
sect, and that such an army cannot be III
tended Tor defence against foreign aggres-
sions, but must be solely for domestic pur-
poses. As to the fact which the gentleman
mentions, I know nothing about 1t. For
myself can truly say, that on the subject
OF appointments to Office generally il 60
vernment. like ours, my general opinions
have heretofore been more liberal than
would probably be esteemed orthodox by
almost any political party in this country,
certainly much more SO than was practised
upon by the poiticalffriends af,ny colleague
when they presided in our public councils.
As there are certainly a great number OF
men who differ from the present majority
IN their political sentiments, upon whom !
ceuld place the utmost reliance if called &c
detlnd their country, would never con-
sent that the single sin Of federalism should
be deemed sufficient to exclude them from
all participation in either civil or military
Offices. Buff the gentleman in one part OF
his speech yesterday intended to give us a
sample of those men in whose behalf he
complained on account Of their exclusion
from military commands, it is certainly no
subject of my regret that such exclusion
has been thought proper by tae head Of that
department.. Sir, was It a patriotic effort
on the part CT the gentleman to endeavor IN
that public manner to chill the spirit Of the
nation, and to discourage them from the
assertion of their just rights, by disparag-
ing our resources, undertaking our means
OF annoyance to our enemies, and proclaim
irg in the face Of tic world our vulnerable
points and most defenceless positions; and
at the same time magniiying the power OF
foreign nation, and declaring that she held
against US those pledges for our good beha-
vior which We could not put at risk without
the most imminent hazard and destruction
to ourselves? Sir, when I heard the gen
tleman avowing to the world sentiments OF
this sort, my heart sunk within me, espe
ciaIly when saw full in his eye proteg
of the minister of his Britannia majesty
rioting no doubt upon the charms Of MS
eloquence, and receiving it with those kind
OF sensations SO natural to the human heart,
when the pride Of the country to whose for
tunes we are attached is the subject of eu-
logy. TRUST that these are not the national
feelings or sentiments Of the great body OF