Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-08-22

1t has been somewhat sneeflnSly asked,
what has the quarrel between Smith and
Madison to do with our state politics e.
With the same propriety the question
might be retorted-What have the. peo-
pie of the United States to care about the
conduct of theirrulers In a republic 1t
is wise maxim, that the exercise OF pow
Ell should be watched with jealousy and
on this occasion the evidence OF the par
TALLY of Mr.. Madison for France, is the
best possible, the nature of the case can
admit of. Smith was the Secretary Oh
State under Madison ;-he was priyy to-
all the plans and arrangements of the ca
binet through him passed all the dIpio-
matte correspondence and as one OF the
Presidents council, he mnsthave been ap-
priced OF the motives andyiews of the mea-
sures originating with the Executive
And would any one be so absurd as to con-
tend, that his evidence ought to be set a.
side in Judging the character of our clhet
magistrate He might as well contend
for a principle directly adverse to the We
ry genius Of republic he might at once
subscribe submissive acquieseence to the
arbitrary mandates of corrupt rulers, anu
say, it is the duty Of Americans rot to en-
quire, but implicitly to obey. However
ardent, as the attachment Of the arch
Democrat may be to Bonaparte, and how
ever much he may admire the illustrious
qualities Of his imperial majesty. he would
not venture plainly to avow this doctrine
though, in effect. it is virtually main
tanned on this occasion.
TO detract from the validity Of this evil
dence, it is stated that Smith is not emit
tied to credit, because he is offended with
Mr.. Madison fer dismissing him from Of
fee. Strange notion! l would ask, would
a Jury Of their country admit such a plea
to invalidate the testimony of a conspirsl-
tor who turned states evidence to save
city from confagration, or to convict
band OF assassins who had plotted the ruin
Of an individual? TO say the informer
was angry with his fellow culprits, would
not render him a less competent witness;
and il there excited strong grounds OF
suspicion from attending circumstances,
would not his evidence be received with
the more readiness proportionate to those
grounds The government have been
suspected of French partiality for several
years; and no unprecedented man should
hesitate to believe the truth of its exist
ence when one of the most confidential
actors in the drama of political deprayity.
has laid before the public voluntary ex-
position of the fact.
AS to my part, have heretofore cOnsi-
dered Smith one Ofthe leaders in the road
to our political ruin; and now l look up
on him, without diving into his motives,
as having become instrumental torouse the
good people OF these United States to
Just sense of the dangerous precipice TO
which they have been carried by set Of
wicked rulers. When we adopt his evil
dence, it does not necessarily follow that
we have changed our sentiments respect
Ing the man and il Bob has abandoned
madison and his party, it is by no means
a proof that he has enlisted himself In
the ranks Of the tederIists.
These observations occurred to me,
when rejecting OH the nature Of the evil
dence contained in Smiths pamphlet, and
the efforts Of the democrats to stitle all
free inquiry into tic conduct of oar chief
magistrate. Ii We want better evidence
Of Mr.. Madison's Partially for France it
will be to wait till it is too late to apply
remedy: but, as under our republican
system Of government, we can only consti-
tutionally cure the evil, by turning out bad
men and putting good men in their place,
l have no doubt the result Of the ap-
preaching election will prove the saluta-.
nv exercise Of that inestimable privilege.
A TRUE AMERICAN.