Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-07-22
ruE 1TNANIMoUS ADDRESS

M.prr4sD. TO 4HEIR CoSSTITUEN9S.
FeKozu- Citizens,
AT a period like the present, when the
tempest of war oFershadows our beloved coun-
trv. and she is menaced with the scourge OF
humanity, which has so long desolated CONT
mental Europe the undersigned members OF
the minority in the House OF Delegates are
;oneIled, by sense of duty to their constltu-
ents. and in justification of their own political
conduct. to claim your serious attention to
review Of the causes of the impending evils.
Aware of the gravity and Importance OF the
task, which we have assumed, 1t has not been
undertaken without mature deliberation. For
many wears a course of measures has been
nursued by those, who have been entrusted
with TIE management of public affairs, which
Gradually impaired our national prosperity
The most PfU~.:-Ant nfits haleful consequent
ces have been the anniAilation of commerce,
diminution of revenue, and an INCREASING
expenditure, distress, suspicion and alarm at
home-contempt, insult and aggression a.
broad.
Before we enter upon detail, which will
evince the truth of this representation, 10 JUS
tice TO the motives by which we are actuated,
and the principles, which have ever directed
our conduct. We entreat you to be guarded
against the unjust insinuation of those, who
will endeayor to persuade you, that our object
is to create an unwarrantabie opposition to the
national administration. No, fellow-citizens!
ours is the only Republic upon earth. RI
tional liberty, an exile from the old, has found
temple in the new world. Ours is govern.
ment emanating from the people. They have
delegated a portion of their power to agents.
who are bound to provide for the common
defence ts promote the general welfare, and
TO secure the blessings of freedom to their
constituents. If they should fail to perform
this interesting duty, to discharge the high
obligation, the people have reserved TO them
selves constitutional corrective. Their un-
worthy servants will be dismissed, and their
authority will be con6ded to more faithful and
more competent agents. We will not tres
pass upon your patience by reference to do
cuments, already published to the world,
which blazen our shame, and give energy to
despair.
i, is known to you, feIlow-citizens, that by
the blessing Of Divine Providence, the wis
dom of the sages, and the yalor of the heroes
Of the revolution, secured to us the blessings
of independence, and we found ourselves at
the end of that glorious struggle free to es-
tablish government of our choice, to perpc-
tuate those blessings to posterity. "By the
teaceo6ie zuorking Of events" Constitution
was framed and adopted The United States
assumed the imposing and interesting attitude
of young but powerful nation, rapidly APP
proximating to greatness, under the banners
of freedom. And here permit Us to remind
you, that our first steps, In the prosperous
march to national ACKNOWLEDGEMENT were guild
ed by the prudence and hrmness OF that glorl-
Gus chief, who had been our sword and buck
ies in the day of battle: The government was
scarcely organised under the new constitution
when the FreEch revolution commenced
Need we recount the momentous consequent
ces, which have characterised Its progress
and termination, and its influence upon the
pelicy of our own country. The task is as
unnecessary as it would be painful 1t we
can demonstrate to your satisfaction, that the
mana cement of cur public affairs has been In
iudicious and impolItic that no time should
be lost in arresting the career OF men who OBJ
stinately perseyere in system so pernlclous
In its consequences you will not hesitate
momentto apply this constitutional corrective.
For this purpose only, we have resolved upon
this appeal to the good sense, the spirit, and
the interests Of the yeomanry OF Maryland
We shall endeavor to make 1t plain, intelll-
pible, and dispassionate, with firm reliance
that our motives will be duly appreciated; that
our efforts will avail to rouse you to Jealous
vigilance of the measures OF government
Should our aattering expectations be realised,
we shall hail, with exultation, the day when
our country was rescued from the jaws of de-
struclion.
We proceed to the painfal retrospect, which
our duty has enjoined. The limits of this adj
dress forbid particular enumeration OF every
incident and every measure, which have COM
bined to involve US IN the tolls OF our enemies.
1t is sufficient to remark, that IL gave birth to
those insults and aggressions, which have SO