Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-10-28
AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE, 2
ON THE CAUSE AND CONSEQUENCES OF A
MAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
/rouc/uSeG

The immediate effects OF the war Will be
felt in the ruin of our commerce-the friend
of civilization, the constant associate OF lbe'-
tv. the parent of many virtues and IN the
consequent decline Of agriculture they Will
be felt in the general CONSTIPATION, "hich
will succeed the loss of credit and confidence;
in burthens augmented an hundred told oy
the destruction of the regular revenue, ana
the necessary expenditures OF war; III an m
creasing inability to support them, winch
will find no relief or resource In that spirit
which a good cause inspires; in the dcteri-
Grafton of the public morals, and the general
impoverishment of the country. These evils
necessarily resulting from the commence
ment of war, will fall most heavily on the
commercial states, and will be greatly aug
mented by the criminal neglect OF the aohli-
nistrstion to provide for the defence OF the
country. Still they could be sustained, even
in an unnecessary war, if it did not involve
an alliance with France.
An alliance with France! These words
fall like motion lead upon my heart they
excite unmingled horror; they extlngulsh
the last glilninering of hope. An alliance
with France carries with it the foulcst dis
grace, and ensures the bascst scrvltude. The
states of Holland, of Switzerland, OF Prussia,
of Sweden, and of all the Italian states, is the
best commentary on French alliance. 1t Is
the wormwood and the gall, which the wrath
of heaven has mingled for the nations that
have polluted themselves with French aeoml-
nations. Germany has at last sunk into the
rank OF an ally. Russia is permitted to per-
sue half submission policy.--Ihe time IS
not far distant, when she will be compelled
to take her place among the vessel states OF
Europe, or make one last effort to preserve
her independence. Spain and Portugal have
nobly preferred to graphic vita their invaders,
and to take their only chance OF future safety.
to the infamy and certain ruin OF an alliance.
This is the alternative which the tyrant offers;
a cooperation in his ambitious scheme OF u
UNIVERSAL dcspotism: or war, even to utter eX-
termination. Policy may sometimes sutter de-
laythat intrigue * corruption may accomplish
their work and what they fail to do, treache-
ry and force will finish. England is the last
great obstacle to his gigantic plan, and every
nation that freights I. vessel, or consumes
bale Of cloth must be bowed to his purpose.
There is neither respite nor neutrality allowed
n.
spring of all his mighty movements: its COM
pletion will be the consummatien OF all his
hopes. A state once brought to aid nim In
this project, is su0dued to all his present pur-
poses. The present is boastingly called the
last Punic war, in spirit more tell than ever
dwelt in a Roman bosom. He is stuclious
imitator of Roman policy in the business Of
breaking down states that thwart his views,
first to the rank of coniederatcs, and after
wards incorporating them into the body OF his
empire in dividing and beating his enemies
separately, and in all that is imposing, mag
nihCent or terrible.
What is there, then, my countrymcn, IN
the character or conduct of the imperial ty-
rant, that should tempt us to become his ally
in a war against Great Britain is there any
consolation inthe late intelligence from France,
that as we have taken measures to cause our
rights to be respected, he 7oW assist as The
mere expression of his good will is porten-
tous; it imports dreadful unity OF purpose,
a fellowship of interest and design; 1t is asso-
ciated with such awful forebodinss, and such
dire recolections; it savors so strongly Of do
nestle treason against the falling Liberties of
the country, that this single expression, truly
felt, is enough to collect horrors like frost
around the heart of every honest American.
Do we expect that ourcommerce will thrive
under his patronage, who has publicly dcclar-
ed that he hates commerce and all its con-
Germs and that he wishes to see Europe re-
duced to the condition of the fourth century?
whose spirit and policy are wholly military,
and who Justly thinks that commerce is not
only hostile to his system, but to its endur-
ance Can it be expected that he, who has
already crippled the commerce of France
who requires of all his allies and friends, as
the price of his good will, the condition of his
assistance, the introduction of all commerce
with Great-Britatn will relax his iron sys-
tenn in favor of nation, which he holds in me-
rited contempt? The administration have ne
yer risen to the dignity Of any other notice
than insults and blows. Under these they
have grown docilc. AS 10 art or disguise
has been found necessary, they have been dis
penscd with as useless; and broad noontlav,
robbery, public scourging, taunts, * threats,
have been employed to reduce them to the
continental system. Experience has satisfied