Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-09-29

49,
ruhl;c honor. deserves to be considered as
= selfish being, unworthy the rank OF pa
tr;ot. citizen, or friend.
Now is the time my fellow.citizens, to-
arouse your energies in your country's
cause. The day of trial has arrived. Let
us shake off the apathy of long contracted
habits, aud acquire the habit OF providing
for our own wants. Our country demands
2 virtuous exertion of her sons-let us not
recede from the rank which has been ac-
CURED by our glorious revolution, but shew
to other nations that we venerate the spirit
of our government, and will not disgrace
the memory of our fathers-Let one gene
rous impulse but pervade our land, and A.
merica is restored to her primeval desu-
ny. -. -,
We are called republicans-Republican-
ism embraces modest, yet dignifled state
of manners. Is it consistent with this viz
tuous spirit, to initiate all the luxury, ex-
travagance, and folly, of more antient and
corrupt governments We import Euro
pean fashions, we affect European man
ners, we adopt the vices OF those very peo-
Die, whom we pretend to condemn as the
authors of our injuries, and the examples
of evil. Why is there no American fashion,
derived from the materials, labor, and IN
genuity of our country? Would it be as
commendable, as praise worthy, or patrl.
otto, to appear in the humble garb, derived
from the labors of our brethren, and the
produce of our soil, as to covet lEas splen-
dor, which i'll accords with the spirit OK our
government, or the state of our society -
While we so loudly profess republlcanlsm,
we want that practice which constitutes It's
reality. I, is in vain TO resort to words,
for redress of our wrongs. Anathemas
enough, have been uttered to destroy all
the nations of the world, yet words are We
ry harmless things. An orator, frequently
dec,aims against the oppression and injuries
Of European governments, and loudly as
serts his country's rights; yet this orator
bears on his back samples of the ingenuity,
industry, wealth and power Of the very pee
pie, whom he abuses, and returns home TO
cut his food with knife, drink from cup,
and repose under blanket, the happy pro-
duce, of far distant people WHO have thus
.t~ou1Iy auPPiieu 'i'elr P1"~e:'.;-s, will
all, which his heart can desire. Away my
fellow citizens, with this precious republi-
canism. Talk no more, but proceed to
worthy action. Redeem your character,
and seek standing in the world worthy of
your fame. Your country affords you eve
ny facility of ministcring to your own wants.
Your country demands your labors and APP
peaIs to. your virtues, to protect her honor.
The present degenerate state Of the world
has rendered all public faith precarious and
fckle. Nations are no longer just than
they find it convenient to be so. The best
method 10 command respect is 70 deserveit.
We shall always make poor bargains while
the balance Of interest is against us; bur,
like Camillus of old, If We can throw the
proud weight ct independence into the
scale, we redeem our country's honor and
establish our country's destiny. Have the
present race of Americans forgotten the
virtue Ct their fathers? Has the revolution
aud its spirit been hanished from our me-
mories, and the glorious example of pa
tlence, prlVatlon, and integrity, given IN
the best age of our history, become unwer
thy, in the present state OF our society and
manners. There was time when any SUIT
fering would be borne, in the cause Of our
country's liberty. VIII no labor Or priva
ton be suffered at this time to perpetuate
that inestimable blessing? viii insult and
injury be only repelled with resolutions
fiery and tremendous speeches, dreadful
threats, and the vast artillery OF words. Z
An eferyescence Of patriotism, like the
crater Of Vesuvius, now and then tur.s out,
promises vast explosion, and then expires
with hollow murmurs. IT'S in vain to say,
we will fly to arms--Our foes are wiser than
TO attack the Eagle on his nest. They wage
a safer war, and possessing the magazine
which contains the supply of our wants.