Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1810-07-21

tible and base Backed by the pfohlgaee
of the country, throwing all their efforts IN
TO craft, Jefferson came forward, the magl-
clan, who, by;,his incaatat'oas, turned the
scuneutsef public virtue, and reversed me
hopes Of a nation. The honest yeonaEry
did not become corrupt, they,Nwere dece,y-
I&ed. He ot,anted requiem TO tseir tears /;
and gave an opiate TO their understanding.
Under the CALLING pressure OF the enemy,
he kept up delusiye peace until the
country was one toashsorne wound Of dis
honor. Busaposterity will do him justice.
Chronicled in infamy, his name shall be
coupled with his characteristic and no
mention of him shall be made but as of the
enniuently perniciouss;. as of :" Jeroboam,
the son of Nebat, who made Israel to- sin. "
81 Bat what shall We say OF ms successor !!
IF he rises above contempt. ne does not
reach Communications Yet should Go IN.
Justice TO my feelings to speak disrespect-
fully Of The first magistrate OF our>country.
T would be the last to throw the smallest
possible obiectin the way OF our admins
sration in difficult times. 1t is far morescen-
s;stent with the duty ofa good cieizen, to
hold the lamp to Tighten their slippery path.
Z Each individual is substantial part OF com !.
amunity: bound at all times TO contribute
according to his ability, 10 the general good.
However stubborn the nerves OF others may
be, Lcannot be sensible of the smallest dis
grace attaching tothe head Of our republic,
but that feel it at the heart. Nsverthe-
less, am constrained to say, that 1 lnvo.
luntarv hold one in suspicion, who once a.
>posta,ized for interest; whatever may be
Subsequent indications ofrepensance. :
~ From the first, therefore, considered
tina. Mr.. Madison had no demand upon It's
for any thing more than a silent support,
whenhe was right. Yet contrary TO my
views, urged with all zeal within the small
circle ofmy influence, we, who after his
declension from the genuine principles OF
our frdera:ive system, were MS natural oP-
ponen,s, gave him much credit upon trust
in which he abused our confidence, and als.
appointed our hopes.
~ Pressed by the thought inspired by this
occasion, fellow. citizens, what further shall
I say Shall We look aroond and from pass
ing occurrences, form gloomy presages OF
the future! From present evils, which we
all feel to be great, shall we ELL our minds
with fore borlings of greater yet to come!
Shall we speak of embargoes, non importa-
ton, non intercourse, and pfguay prepare
ton, the offspring Of ,reachery andtid!id!ty:
nursed, caressed, and kept alive, as wretch
ed little paintings to shame the parents, by
stubbornness and stupidity! Shall we view
our country as insulted, yet continued de-
fencesss !? <Ruiner commerce; an empty
treasury bankrupt citizens These are
but sorry subjects of reflection !! All this,
however, might be forgiven: I could tor.
give any thing but national disgrace. Loss
OF interest is nothing. Let Or millions 60
70 the private Golfers of the Corsican des.
pot Il is the duty ofrepublicans TO bear
privations. Let our commerce go TO sa-
tiate rival eupidity. Let England mock
our folly, and enjoy the harvest OF our
blunders. ;Rhis 10 itself considered, might
>be forgiven. Poverty is no disgrace and
a character for wealth is not worth the la
Dor of acquiring. The man whose sordid
spirit does not rise above calculation, is
not worthy of being freeman. Bot to
coop us up at home; to expose US to insult:
tolet injury accumulate upon injury, until
nothing is seen Of public character, but
marks of infamy and dishonor it is un
pardonable aad may I'neet my country's
detestasion if ever forgive it.
I know it is overwhelmingly painful to
dwtN On our case yet bear with me little;
tits. as expedient, would TO God | could
believe it would prove as ,salutary, as apply
ing the caustic OF the amputating knife 70
the sdrct ased limb Letus throw aside par
~ spir:tan say-Where is public virtue!