Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-08-28

= st and measures of eur rulers being secur-
ca b.she constitution, it was hardness OF
Wn,o,' NJ American was supposed capable 10
eau .ne !, nl y into question But they were
nv. u''iaSs ..',';9s subsequent events speak
iang g. sllyn ~ ~ re american can bear
ne press q Nagel and Hanson sexercis-
out the misconduct Of the az ;n;strst i L
did its dury. Had mfscheyous' ~ S,l :. .abIe
faIsehoods issued from the press, III nltitors
we're amenable to the laws. But if no, sore |
was attempted but to direct and enlighten +
public mind, they did their duty, and could not
be disturbed.
A mob collected; it pronounced them
guilty; it was Judge, jury, and executloner.
This WAS known, but the mob was not check
ed. The civil authorities were quiescent; no
attempt was made to protect the press, pro-
perry or persons of those whom the mob had
denounced. Was not this an experiment
Itmay intimidate and muzzle those who were
ready to speak what was not welcome to some
ears to hear. For moment panic was felt
through the Union, but The spirit of America
is too free to be confined The panic has sub
sided, and bold language, asserting constltu-
tional privileges, is heard from all parts OF the
Union. The civil authorities OF Baltimore
were crminaIly lax They permitted the
laws TO sleep, and gave no effectual check to
the lawless
The Editors, who had lost property ard
time, determined to assert their rights. they
took possession of their house, surrounded
with their friends, band of heroes, who had
bIed in defence Of the liberties of America, and
could not see that liberty wrested from them
by the dregs of society. They insulted no
one, injured no one. 1t was a lawful act il
which they were engaged,--but they were a
bused, assaulted, and threatened. They called
upon the civil authorities to protect them the
call was not heard, no aid was given, and none
promised They were deOoted-But fer
what? For daring to assert a constitutional
privilege. The mob burst upon them. They
were compelled 10 fire in their defence
Blood was shed and wounds given Why did
no& the magistrate command and an armed
body assemble Ii would have prevented the
evil, and maintained peace The guilty would
have suffered, and the innocent been protect
cd. At the hand of those who neglected their
duty is all this mischief to be required.
The defenders Of the house, unwilling to see
the blood of an infuriated mob f1ow by their
hand, although in defence of their lives and
property, gave themselves up to the civil au-
thorties, under the solemn assurance of pro-
lection; but no protection was afforded the
prison was broken open; the unhappy men
who were there for protection were abused,
mangled and slain. Sooner than permit such
an outrage, the whole force in Baltimore, nav
Of the whole state, aud of the United States,
ought to have been collected, and to have O.
yerwhelmed the lawless.
Vessels which were cleared, and ready to
sail were prevented from sailing by tumul-
tuous rabble. Atrocities Of this kiud we're
disgrace to the city--to the state--to the Uni
on
The force of the city, of the state, of the
Union has not been exerted TO oppose this
terrible tomult-But why lit becomes you
to examine. Were your rulers timid ?--Rase
to their place those who have more nerves
Were they wicked ?-Express your abhor-
renee of their wIckedness, by pulling them
from their seats, and exciting those who are
more worthy Were they ignorant ?-That
Ignorance units them for Office You vote
for rulers---your vote Is a mark of approba-
ton, or disapplobation. 1t is an act of the
people. There their majesty is exertcd. IF
the administration has raised the country to
honor--to safcty--and to wealth--continue
that administration Say to them you have
done well, and We confer on You the power OF
continuing TO do well If your affairs have
been mismanaged. II you be in danger of
being disgraced, Of violence, of poverty, en-
trust others with authority-Ptace tho brace,
the bold, The virtuouS at the helm.
Alter the transaction of this day you must
not complain. The laws Frustrated: the pa
triots OF the revolutionary war slain; the free
dom of speech suppressed 1t is your own
choice: you will il to be so: when oppres-
sed to the dust, you carve your own lot, and
can expect no sympathy. Be humbled, and
enslaved. You raise those up Nho humble *