Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-01-02

ton, seem iuly SeAslcis " tite sieiieaSy alA
urgency Of this part Of the question:
When pressed for their substitute they ma
'nifest vast reluctance in producing it.
The gentleman from Delaware, indeed,
told us. he was not the pioneer of the admi-
niistration ]; ] never knew that he was called
upon to act III that character; but hope ne
willnot voluntarily act as the sapper, nor the
miner of the administration, especially when
he n,,lstbehoId the administration assailed
By the two most powerful belligerents in the
world. unfortunately aided, | fear too, sir,
bv host of domestic sappeis and miners,
and underaainers in thebargairl. am sure,
sir. the gentleman will not take upon him
I selfsuch a character. The gentleman, how
! ever. did not withhold from Us an intlma-
ton. at least Of HE substitute--an intima-
ton which could rot be mistaken. It was
war with France. The question, therefore,
as TO him is at an end upon this point. War
is the substitute.
But, the gentleman from Connecticut
mir. HilIhouse) after protesting against fuf-
nishing any substitute, intimates merely that
he is in favor Of an armed commerce. Why,
sir. do gentlemen in the opposition manifest
such reluctance in producing substitute;
if they have one They seem TO be laboFins
under animpression that this is mere cues
ton between themselves and the admins
|, tration and an uninaportant question OF ms
and outs. The question is certainly Oh
very different description. 1t is quest;cn
between this nation and foreign nations. Il
is question involving Our national exist
ence and independence, and the dtares'
rights OF the people. :,
Letme tel! these gentlemen, sir, that the
people have a right to demand a substitute
from them, if they have one; not merely
vague insinpation to Eli up chasm IN a
| detective argument, but a written proposl
ton, reduced to form, presented tor serious
consideration; that every word nay bs
strictly examined. and all its bearings seen
then, sir,ve should be in a state ot'Prepara-
| tioa to make a choice between SUCH su5stl-
tute, and tie measures of the administra'
ton.
Besides. s;r, if his obligation were dis.
regarded, every rule OF CRITICISM, every
principle of common aense would require
substitute. If yo., criticise upon asentence
IN writing, the criticism IS incomplete Unit!
you shew a better. IL law pleadinga, Il yo,
obiectto eiea, as defective, yoe are bound
TO silow better. And certainly, sir, the
the obligation imposed BY tic ordinary relies
! Of common sense. Again, sir, / hardly
| conll have supposed that gentlemen Of such
| lofty pretensians 10 wisdom and talents
wou'di nave contented thepiselves with the
humble ot3ce of finding fauit, without fur
nishing the proper correction. This mac
tive conduct, this doing nothing for the peo-
pie, in these dangerous and critical times,
car furnish but poor claim to the people
gratitude and applause.
But, sir, will consider the gentleman 5
substitute, even With the gimmering views
oft which he has presented. His substitute
is an armed commerce. Would he extend
it to acts of reprisal? IF so, it is Immediate
war. Would he stop short Of that? 1t
would still he war; but of more inefficient
kind. If our vessels are to arm. presume
their arms are to be used in self-defence /;
they would lie used against both the belli-
gerents. In the present temper Of Great
Britain, the first gun fired II spirit of hos
tllity, even with a blank cartridge !; OF if IL
were pop-gnn, would be instant war. i.
would DC the signal to her navy to seize up
on the whole Of our commerce, whlchwcnsd
be spread upon the ocean, tie moment Of
raising tie embargo. The gentle1na,g2s
substitute therefore believe to he war, and
war Of the most inefficient kind a repeal
Of The embargo, without substitute, is
submission. Submission to what! to co!o-
nlzation, to taxation, to tribute!