Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-12-02

our readers the following judicious sent'-
mcnts and views copied from the Norfolk
Pa5Ec ledger. They arc the concluding
part of some observations on the paragraphs
which have appeared in the National In
telligenccr relative to the late rupture be-
tween our government and the British mi
Mister I'D
Few circumstances have occurred furnish
iag more materials for discussion than the
present. We hope to see the subject fairly
and independently discussed, for surely no
subject ought to be discussed with more
freedom and candor, than one in which the
all important events of peace and war are In
yolyCd. When we say we hope to see the
subject iadefendently diseased, we allude to
sentiment or maxim, which the ruling par
" wish to establish. 1t is laid down, that in
all discussions between our own government
end another, that ours is always in the right,
and those OF our citizens, who should dissent
from this arbitrary rule, are denounced as
enemies to their own, and the partizans off
foreign government. AS no man wishes to
b even suspected of being an enemy to his
country, the timid are awed into silence, and
the selfish converted into partizans by the
hope of preferment. But the independent
politician, unawed by popular ccnsure, and
disregarding the patronage of power, will
enter into the enquiry with determination
10 ascertain truth.
For our own part we can conceive nothing
more siayish and degrading in principle, and
destructive in practice than the sentiment or
maxim we have noticed. 1t may be very
convenient doctrine for those in office, but
we hope aid believe il will be rejected with
Indignation. War, which is the trade of am
bilious rulers, has ever been, and ever will be
ruinous to the people. 1t is not given to the
people ofevery nation, the right of discussing
the measures of their government, but it is
glorious right which Americans possess and
wlilcxercise, and in our judgment, it cannot
be exercised ca a subject of more importance
then enc on which war depcnda. If it is our
right and our duty to examine and de-
termine whether the nation shohld go
TO war or not, how we ask is that examination
TO be made without a free and candid discus
Sion Tor what purpose do we exercise the
right and perform the duty, if we are not at
hoerty to express our conviction! If WI are
stopped In ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the enquiry
by the terrors ofdenunciation, what better are
We than the slaves of Napoleon, who are car
ned into wars to crafty his ambition, and the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of his family and faYorites
Loes any one suppose, that if the people of
france could have been perm itted 10 have de-
eiaed on the war which Napoleon is waying
against Austria and Spain, that they would
have given their consent?
It's absurdto suppose that we are always
10 the rghtin our discussions with foreign ma
IONS, and it is both insoleht and wicked to
brand as enemies of their country, those who
have the independence to say that we are not
SO. The inconsistency of those who wish to
sniie iMr enquiry, and silence independent
ulscussion,w will be exposed by what we are go
rs to state. Great Britain is engaged at this
0me IN a war, upon the unsuccessful issue Of
Which she has not TO apprehend the loss of
soae remote colony; she is contending with
'nenemy whose power and means are great
Ct than any human being ever possessed-an
,aemy who avows that nothing short of her
Oe'truction shall satiase his revenge. nsueh
contest one would think that every heart
"na hand in the nation would be united. But
: IS not SO, Eve Judge from the writings in
:, are called the opposition papers, in which
'le measures of tie government are exposed
win bitter severity, as well as regards the
eauses of the war, and as to the mode of con-