Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1810-04-11
From the Virginia Patriot.

What GOOD have our uemocrauC Iuie's
done the country, during the nine years
which they have been inpower!
This question is not addressed either to
the implicit believers in executive intallbity
or 20 these who have tasted the sweets OF
,xx.cutsve patronage and fattened upon the
Gnsoiums nts Of Office are interested in up
shplding party, the subversion OF which
N{t,uid &c a diminu,ion of their own person
aIsmpoytance and death blow to their dar-
ling projects of ambition and aggrandlse-
snlsnt. From such there is no hope OF
candid consideration, or an appropriated
rely. Butsit is from the t7rmer, the mer-
seislr,st and the mechanic: from that class OF
l6nest bur too often misguided American
SriEsx tns, who constitute the real strength
tti ssnews Of our government, tina. an I'M
iay I4l answer is expected and to them
The NhesSion ADDRESSES hseit with peculiar
ieteress and energy.
Wrnld they bot examine it with that So
iicjtGde aud ATTENTION which its importance
demands, and answer it with single view
so lis own Intrinsic merits there could not
be- momentary doubt Of the result. But
the misfortune is, that while few want
the leisure, by FAR the greater part want the
inclination 10 prosecute such an inVest'Ga'
ticn.
I To examine the connection Of political
measures, TO scrutiniZe the motives which
produced, and to scan the consequences
which. follow them, is task, which 70 some
NJ N is 30 !! ksome, that they are willing to
lc.ye lhs butthen of i. TO others and to rest
cSnten,ed with adopting opinions ready
formed and dictated tor their acceptance,
soontr't than encounter the trouble OF form
irg IN opinion for themselves" This posi-.
.ion 10 NOT msant to be exclusively applied
% those who are called democrats, doubt.
less j. is partially true at the tedera!is.s w.
so: for though We claim the honor OF poll
tical infsliibhity 10 favor Of federal prlnci.
Pies, yet the men who embrace those prn'
spIss may do, and doubtless too oitrn have
done il, from no other or more rational
motives, thau those Of interest, education,
prejudice or local convenience. Bur where
vcr CT by whemsoever adopted, the Prac-
tee is radically wrong, and 10 an elective
and free government must be productive
of the most 8 rious and destructive errors.
= Suffer tailor 20 choose the fashion ct your
:. Goat, and a barber TO determine whether
you shall wsar your hair powdered or plain
but so long as you are free citizen and
have voice and interest in the des.inies of
your country, never permit any man or any
set Of men TO dictate or TO select for you
your political opinions. The uansactions
of our government are, or at least ought to
be- public and open; the sources of infor.
nation are numerous and easy of access,
aud whatever may be your station in life
and however humble your calling, you have
All equal right and in most cases are equal
j. We! qualified to Judge. for yourself re-
speeding men and measures with him who
riots ic the midst of his thousands. Do
NOT thrn tamely relinquish to another that
right Of thinking and acting according TO the
diSTares Of your own understanding, which
is so valuable and which ought to be 50
dear. Bind imitation, Watcher in thought
or action is shs part Of monkey-ofa man,
especially o! q fsee,nan, il is unworthy, and
dcsradss him below his nature. Be careful
therefore to take nothing upon lrast-do noe
believe that this act OF your government 10
wrong aud ,hs. that act Is right, because
your rich neiShsor A. or your learned
nsighbor D. tells yeu 80 hut examine the
sabjses first In oil 10 bearings, und then
form yeur eIen opinion. ~ "
Takiag che impartial view which have
thus recommended, Of the question ,ha, I
have proposed for your consideration, wha,
Is your ansxsrl II you are merchant, 10
commerce more ilourishing ! If YOU ore
farmer, do yeur crops bring ysa hIghes
price IL yop are q inssbanie, DO ysu 6nd
your customers more willing Co. snsplsy or
moro fsady to pay you now, thar they were
wheh .hs isdsrslists had the management. Of
your political aasiss 49,.