Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-05-11

that man who has been emphatically stiled
the father Of his country; the naae OF the.
ilIustr!oas Washington, should have. to
sconsign to oblivion, for it is well known he
protested those politics, stiled federal.
There is one reason. though it has never
been avowed, which is perhaps the great
cause why my opinions and principles have
been SO much decried and misrepresented.
In my public conduct, 1 deem it my duty
to collect my own facts, and make up my
own opinions and act accordingly: in every
country, and particularly in. the public boz
dies, there is also q set OF men who con-
sceive themselves entitled to .21lauu3tact0e
opinions for the public and for the body of
which they are members, they convert ma
nv questions totally unconnected with poll
tics into political que stions, by which means
they muster their party and often carry the
most iniquitous measures, and whoever will
not follow is prescribed as an apostate. 70
these trammels and leading strings | never
did. nor | never will submit. [ have al
ways thought and still think, that if nature
has not gifted me with sufficient portion
Of understanding, or if am not disposed
to employ that industry which is necessary
to enable me to form my own opinion, !
ought to retire from the public service.
] have understood that much has been
said on account of my being placed as an E.
lector, on what was generally termed s. the
Monroe Ticket" If any apology could be
deemed necessary (Which do rot pretend
10 think could with truth say that my
name was employed without my wish or
consent. At the time the electoral tickets
were agreed on, attended neither the Ma
olson nor Monroe meeting. | never viii
attend any such meetings. Had however,
been disposed, TO spouse the cause Of Ell
Their candidate, / should at that time Git
acted in unison with what deemed nv du-
ty) not have pledged myselfto support him.
It was aIledged, and that from respectable
authority that Mr.. Madison had in view
(in compliance with the wishes of Bona
PARTED to plunge this country into an un-
necessarss gaSss,Sish sIlhgEand. If that had
been true he should never have had my suf-
flagaog CONFIDENCE On the other hand it
wasfasser ed SeMr. Monroe had made
disgraceiul and unauthorized treaty with
England, and consequently he did not in my
opinion, merit the public favor If tue fact
was as stated. | therefore determined to
suspend my opinion ustil better information
should enable me to ascertain what coarse
my duty lay. The publication Of the treaty
and the correspondence between our minis
ter and the British cabinet, and that between
Mr.. Madison and the British ministers, at 1
ford that information, discover that the
imputations on both sides were either i'll
founded or too highly colored.
But who is Mr.. Monroe He has al
ways been considered as strongly attached
to the institutions of this country, and to
republican government, and his public acts
have been highly applauded by the very
men who recently have attempted to brand
his name with the most odious epithets. Is
it really GONE to this, that men are to be
prescribed without any difference as to
principle merely because they make diff |
ferent selection Of men, from that made BY
the majority? This course may answer
the purpose Of some, but Rlust end in the /
ruin of the country.
| have thus (perhaps at too great lengthy |
noticed the objections against Eae 50 Ear as
! have understood them, nly object was not
to be personal towards any person, bat to
discharge duty which | owed to myself, |
and place in a true point of view, subjects
which had been much misrepresented and
misconceived. have avoided the course
which shall always consider improper,
that Of saying any thing to the prejudice of
my competitor. 1 shall never attempt to
elevate myself by hunbling others.
[ cannot promise much should meet