Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-08-15

in the adoption of a constitution. whose
.xcelIcucies. while they contribute to the
hapD;ness of the new world, excited the
wonder and establishment OF the Old
They had made choice OF an executive
whom gratitude would not suffer them TO
forget. and whose administration lncreas7
ed the prosperity. while it exalted their
reputation. Commerce, a@lIcuiturc- anu
the arts were then seen to flourish; pien-
ty was every where distributed; content
mcnt smiled in the coun,enance oil the
most needy; and national ieiicity seemed
70 have banished sorrow. forever from
the continent. But, alas! our happiness
was too great to be permanent. Inns
scene Of "ladaess was soon to be chang
ed. The mercenary demagogues, the IN
famous 'lireIings Ola government to when
there is no baseness too contemplate, no
crime TOO execrabc to be attributed, were
destined to be sent forth amongst our
unsuspecting countrymen to plant Jealousy
and discord in the hearts OF those whose
innocence had taught them credulity, and
whose sincerity had made them strangers
to DISSEMINATION. Seconded by ambition
who had already strewed her poisoned
flowers in the paths Of the aspiring, sue
cess aided their efforts. The spirit OF
party soon began to be enkindled. Those
whom merit had raised to authority were
hurled from their seats, and succeeded by
men Of new principles, new designs and
new connections.
The auimosities engendered against
England during the revolution. which the
treaty of amity and peace ought to have
assuaget. were again invoked to raise
their passions, and excite their resent
medE. France was held up as a,perfect
model. and recommended as an example
for imitation. Commerce they we're then
told was useless and navies Injurious
The former was intended only TO raise
one class OF citizens from poverty to lux
ury and wealth, while they who had al
(orded them the means OF elevation. were
obliged to toll in their wonted medioclity.
The other while it made a pretence OF
protecting that commerce, at the same
time invited foreign aggressions.
" Do we boast" said these retormers,
IS of our independence, while we own
ourselves indebted to foreigners for tire
necessities and Injuries, yielded us by
commerce ?" not rejecting. that at the
same time that we made ourselves in any
way dependent upon others. they in the
same manner acknowledged reciprocal
dependence upon us. Yet freedom was
their boast, as it is the boast OF our coun-
trymen.
The condition of human nature shows
that man was made, to be partially de-
pendent, and the order is observed in the
intercourse of nations, just in the same
manner as in the concerns Of individuals
where the rich, unless they will con-
sent to become the manufacturers oftheir
own clothes. or Che builders Of their own
houses. will never hesitate to acknowledge
dependence upon the poor.
But it is too late for argument when
! the power Of despot, has imposed sub
! mission upon the people. We have now
+, ONLY to contrast our situation with what
| it was before the political theories of
I France were lHtFOuuccu IlitO Oui couHtfS
before the fabric erected by Washing
ton and the systems of his successor,
! were overturned and demolished.
We then saw private credit hish-the
| channels of wealth thrown open--and the
successful adyenturer. reaping the har-
vest of his couptry's prosperity. We saw
the honor of our country elevated to the
highest em;nence, and envy of Europe
excited by the laure!s she had acquired.
Then was seen the American eagle flying
proudly over the ocean. feared by the
small and respected by the great. None
had the tcmcrity to offer an insult or
threaten an aggression. The foreigner
in Europe was proud to acknowledge him
self an American and the mariner TO fl ght
under the banners Of our country. But
where is that country! My heart bleeds
for her when [ contemplate the depth to
which she is preeipitated.
Let him who once beheld the risin.