Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-02-08

in agents Of governments, to enable item EN- e
carry oppressive and odious restrictions la!o 9
effect. As though the embargo ltseis d'a
nor sufficiently try cur patience and our st-
tachrnent to neutral rights, laws are made,
wantonly opening door TO every species OF
abuse. From knowledge Of mankind,
from an intimate knowledge Of the spirit,
the sentiments and the suffrrings OF our lei
low citizens, we are confident that they Will
not acquiesce under such treatment. "nc-
Their we Justify resistance or not, IS not the
question; we never have encouraged IT,
but we speak of the fact. Were even our
state government to unite with that OF the
nation, in attempting to carry the embargo
laws into effect, the attempt would be IN
vain.
We cannot then be blind to the course Of
things, course which cannot be stayed,
because it results from principles inherent
in human nature and let 1t be observed,
for it corroborates our doctrine, that the
operation of these principles has not been
marked by distinctions OF political party.
What then will ensuc? Not proposition
to separate the states, but individual resist
ance SO general, if present measures are not
abandoned, the will Of the government and
the arm Of It's power will be dlsregarded.
It is not in nature to avoid tvs, if the ex-
postulations of suffering people are treat
ed with contempt. On the back OF those
priyations which are now required, let 60
vernment, as it must, demand OF the reo-
pie support by direct taxation, and what
will be the consequence We need pursue
the prospect no further.
1tremains now that we explain, and we
do not hesitate to add, tojustiiy, the strong
measures which have been adopted, in va
rious parts of this state, and other parts CT
New England; We mean not tie acts OF
Individual resistance, but the proceedings
and publications Of corporate bodies, and
other associations.
So far as the feelings Of the people have
been expressed in memorials and addresses
to the national government and state .egls-
latures, we presume there Is II It one man III
the United States who will dare to say there
is any thing in such conduct improper or
unconstitutional. 1t is the most regular
course that can possibly be devised to seek
redress of our wrongs and relief from our
sutferings.
But many have gone further, and eylnced
a determination to stand by those rights
which the constitution was made to protect
i. oil J,
is, the people are determined not to be, and
cannot be ellsiaved. They are not uaing,
nor making fent of iir,nness. But our
tories continue to assure government, that
their mandates will produce no evils but
what the people will readily bear, and tina,
the complaints which have been heard, arc
instisated by a fewill disposed persons-the
very language which led lord North into a
fatal mistake.
Since, therefore, petitions & remonstrances
have been spurned at,it has become necessary
and expedien; to take steps which cannot be
misconstrued. Is it not best that such warn
ing should be given? There is uo doab,
but thas if the whole eastern section Of the |
union were to express frankly what they
feel, government would see the necessity at |
once OF changing their measures. The
sooner..a proper understanding takes place
between government and the people, the |
better. Tories have made strong express
sions of popular sentiment absolutely neces-
sarv. Ifgove-nn.cnt persists in their blind |
ness, it must be their fault, and the spensi- {
bility for future consequences will rest with
them.
From the ALBION" Of Dec. 4.