Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-12-31

views and comparative strength of France and
Great-Britain, If it be true, that while the for
mer is aiming at the establishment of an ex.
tenslve military despotism, the latter possess
es neither the disposition nor the power to le-
yeia successful blow at the liberties of SIN
gle nation; if while the one is restricted in
her territorial possessions to her original do
main, and few distant colonies, rather weak
enlng By division, than concentrating her pow
ers OF excrtlon; the other has brought to the
AID OF her native resources the still unex-
hausted strength of her vanquishea neigh
bors; II In hne, while the one is groaning be.
meath her shattered finances, INCREASING bur-
thens, disastrous expeditions, murmuring ma
hutActurers, and declining commerce-the o.
Their IS at the height Of vigorous prosperity,
uhincumbered by national debt, secure in
the uhanlniity of her councils, successful in
her military operations, and uniting the most
powerful resources, with the most skilfn di-
rectlon OF them-surely there can be little
doubt as to the tone which should be given to
the public sentiment: all our fears should be
enlisted against that government whose views
are big with the destruction of mankind. And
could it be possible that those nations only
Who are more immediately engaged in the
present contest, TO be effected by its re-
sult--could the question be reduced to this
simple form, (" whether the pride of France
should be BUNDLED, or Spain and Portugal be
erased from the catalogue Of nations % the
Latter would, on every principle both human
aud divine, be entitled to our tenderest SYM
psthies. A nation, nobly contending for her
own existence, animates every feeling heart
with wish for her success. a nation, gene
rouslv rendering her services for the preser.
walton of the existence of another, must COM
nand the admiration Of prejudice itsef-but
a nation rescuing from an overwhelming tor
rent the liberties of the, world, and bearing on
her shoulders the little remnant that is dear to
mankind, their laws & customs, their sacred
symbols and their household gods, is, to Say
the least, the sublinest spectacle the human
mind is capable of contemplating. Such IS
the situation of Great Britain-her shoulders
are already extended for the support OF the Ii
berries of the world-She stands the 4Eneas OF
the conHict-Spain and Portugal are the OBJ
jects of her tenderest care-the Creusa and
Ascanius Of her affection. To rescue them
from impending destruction, and to deposit
it there in place OF security, Is the immedl-
ate end of her present eXertions.
" Dcxtra sc parvus julius
Implicuit, seluitusque patrem, non possibus
sequis,
Pone subit conjux."
Nor will it suffice to say her own interest
has armed herfor tie contest. Mankind should
rejoice that even this motive could stimulate
her to the dreadful conhict--and happy would
it have been for the world, could the same or
indeed any motive have produced a similar eff
feet on the other nations of the earth-then
might the balance Of Europe have been main
, tanned, & the common cause OF mankind have
worn more cheerful aspect. But the golden
opportunity has passeti-the idle jealousies OF
Prussia Austria and Russia, have rendered
every coalition unavailing. The citadel of Eu-
ropean safety has been forced, and all expcc-
tation of disIodging the enemy seems to have
subsidized. The only remaining hope Is that
his farther incursions may be prevented; and
even this hope SO moderate, so rational, and
so commend.ble, must be disappointed, IN
less the eyes of mankind Can be opened to d
sense of their danger.
For this desirable event tben-for the sue
cess of G. Britain in her contest with France
and for the emancipation of the world from
tyranny and oppression, may your prayers, my
dear F., be speedily united with the pray
ers of him, who has the pleasure to subscribe
himself
Your sincere friend,
Mr.. E. F., Maryland.