Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-07-08

cernment or principle. We desire it there-
fore to be well remembered, that however
we may, in the general course OF their mea-
-sures, approve the conduct ofSny party,
we shall still hold ourselves under no con-
|strol to agree with them on all occasions, or
to sacrifice our own opinions to theirs, or
even to be silent when we differ from them.
We think that political as well as all other
opinions ought only to be asserted or sup
ported when they are oonscientiously felt--
We shall therefore endeavor to obtain a
correct view of all public affairs, to learn
thcscharacters of public men, to observe the
tendency. Of their measures--and we will
exhibit the result of our researches TO the
nation, in plain, open, and temperate Ian
guage.
We do not fear by thus pursuingfthis
course, that we shall be suspected of aim
ing at the most foolish and hopeless of all
proiects-pleasing all parties. Whoever
suspects us of this; shall soon seeetheccon-
trary.
We-are far from feeling, and consequent
ly from protesting, perfect apathy as toiall
the political characters who have been dis
tinguished in our country--We have like
eoshsr.men our likings and loathings. Nor
do we pretend to feel any strict importantly
Of Judgment, any perfect equality Of aaec-
ton towards the various parties and sects
of politicians who have arisen among us.
Nor shall we affect any concealment as to
these points. We do not hesitate to declare
our attachment to the Washington School
in Politics, and to avow that party which
may be thought inconsiderable for its num-
bers, and against which the public voice
seemed to have declared, has obtained, by
the principles it has generally manifested,
and the course it has pursued, more OF our
regard than any other. On these subjects
we shall be>always caadid and explicit, and
hereafter more particular; ard perhaps it
may be seen, tina, we even have our prejudi-
ces on these subjects.
All we will undertake for, is, to watch
ourselves as well as others-to let no blind
attachment to men or measures stduce us
from vigilant and faithful discharge of the
Office we have assumed.
The proceedings of the senate and house
of representatives shall be regularly, cor
rectly and impartially given, and such parts
i of the debates in either house as may be
thought interesting and useful to our rea-
ders. To give all the debates would be
impossible; but when We do give the
speeches on any subject, we will always
make it principle to give both sides the
question. The resolutions and laws passed
by the legislature, will be regularly and sea-
Fsonably inserted, as will reports from heads
of departments, and all other public docu-
ments which may be interesting and useful
to the politician who wishes to understand
the proceedings of the government.
Our readers, who are not fond fpolitics,
need not be frightened at the size Of the po-
litical part of:our address--they may rather
consider it has presage that we shall have
as little Of the bitterness OF politics in our
paper, as shall be consistent with our duty.
The generality of readers may be addressed
to much more advantage, & infinitely more
highly benefited by other topics. Political
discussions are seldom useful 20 the great
mass of mankind. An inordinate attach
ment to politicsis certainly the prevailing
foible ofthe present times and it would be
well forevery man who seeks this kind Of
information, to give the time and attention
it consumes to moro suitsble subjects. We
shall therefore aim at substituting in the
place of politics, whatever we may think
more important and interesting to the vari-
sous classes of society.
The farmer, the merchant and the mecha-
mic, Shall each ofthem have portion devot-
ed to the service of their respective occupa-
tons and to them and the lovers of light
reading and literature, weshall allot no small
share of our labours.