Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-05-19
tie Wisd5n9 81 on 1fe Eoi sAiillsi aid

Tie MisdonT OF ons csFsa5fsFe sof !4iisi Rid
protecil9n.
MI. Moderator, I remain firm to he re-
publican principle, but Mil aeser embrace
the shadow for the substance 1t is nv be-
lief, that the government has nsurPed I'm
constitutional powers, and / an persuaded
it is only with a view to peace and harno-
n that the people have BONE the usnrpa-
ton SO long. Our bill of rights declares,
that standing s4miesare dangerous in time
of peace. Why then the late encrease OF
troops andthe project Of an army of5o,oo0
men Our constitution assures to1us an
exact sa~bordination Of the. military to the
civil authority but in this system we be-
hold tbs mllitary placed ADORE the civil pow
sr and rs | have before remarked all
those power which the constitution had Sc
parated, brought together ins.one mans
hands. Compare the enormens bonds ex-
acted ef ur-mercaantss with or constitu,
tional rights, and see how inconsistent they
are with each other, Behold the ~unconsti-
t~utional, the unprecedented, the trenen-
deus power vested in the collectors of the
customs 30 which.al propertylics attheir
mercy, and 10 place is aeeure@fron tlaeif
suspiciou>and search supported by a militia
ry band. See not only oar foreign trade
cut cEentisely by the embargo arts, but II
the last, tie very foundation. OF the coast
ing trade Slapped, By hssexcessive bonds
required, which it is next 70 impossible for
oar coasters TO give. What 2. mass Of in
iuriss have I'VE received from Abe @bellige-
rent powers bat how comparatively small
60 the evils we suffered from our " ad-
ministration. and the abominable violations
Of our constitution The st2te Of Massa-
cllusrtts, sir, has no where guaranteed to
the rational government, a right to abridge
those lbcrtles and privileges which'she had
secured to herself b. her constitution,
and declaration Of rights.
I deDrecate, Mr.. Moderator, a dissoIu-
ton of the union. asprecate those teuds
and animosities which have been the desc
la,ing causes OF the ruin of other fallen re-
pubEcs. But can It be expected tsattw we
should STAND still! and sec all The faiI pros
pects of the Northern aud A.iaatc s.ases
anliaAated, their importance s.aI INC con
tempt, and their croWdeG and lourIshiug
cities turned into ~cowpens! Sod fof5id
that blood should flow IN domestic strife !:
but let certain members Of congress beware
how they apply the larcet 10 northern veins,
lest they are. forced TO behold a perpetual
fow Of the vital auid from sou bern arte-
RES IF southern ambition now finds north
ern abettors, trusS the day is not far dis
tant, when the evi4 genius, Of discord shall
be drowned in forgetfuiness, and the peo-
pie Of New-Ensland united as a band of
brothers in support OF their rights, agains:
either foreign OF domestic aggression. The
last embargo act, With al its trappings of
despotism, congeals the blood OF republl-
can virtue with horror. Che forbexrance
Of the commercial states is almost exhaust
ed. Let Us, however, suppress. our indis-
nation, and, assuming araln but deternin-
ed stand, exercise that right of petition Sc
cured to US by our declaiation Of rights
For my own part feel The keenest anxiety
for the fate Of my country, and au1 read to-
join my fellow townsmen in any reasonable
petition to the general court, and IN any r.
Solutions suitable to this p~erilous era,