Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1812-10-12

Every good man must mourn that
co much is continually spoken. writ
ten and published among u.s. lor 10
other apparent end. than to CRAFTY
the ma!eyoIence of one party ny
wounding the feelings OF the opp,
site. 1he consequence is. that an
alarming degree Of irritation exists
in our country. Fellow-citizens burn
with mutual hatred, and SOME are e.
viIentIy ripe for outrage ana we.
lcnee. Tn this fevcrish state OF Tue
ruI!ic mind. we are not to rc'snqaisl,
free discussion. but every man siio'liu
feel the duty Of speaking and writ
inr with deliberation. 1t is .he time
to be firm without passion. no me-
mace should be employed to provoke
oDnorents-no defiance huried-ho
language used which will IN any
measure. justify the ierocious Id aP-
pealing TO force.
By this language ] do not mean TO
suggest, that anticipate scenes oi
violence ard murder, such us nave
lately been exhibited in ether r'ris
Of our land, as have made our Aes''s
thrill with grief, indignation "t.N
horror. have too much eort;ieHtr-
in the coed principles. and Ea",is ri
this section of our country. lts4a'.
that none Of us shall live. ~ srar
the veil ola murderous mob '';n. ,irs
through our city, TO see 'ur streets
flowing with the blood OF citizens,
butchered by the hand Of citizens.
But, my friends, there is violence
in the passions Of this community,
which ought to give us some alarm;
whichought to setus all on ourguard.
lest, by our rashness. and intempe-
rate language. We gradually lead on
to tremendous convulsion.
The sum Of my remarks is this.
1t is your duty TO hold fast and to as
sert with firmness those truths and
principles on which the welfare Of
your country seems to depend; but
do this with cal mness. with love
orpeace, without i'll will and revenge.
Improve every opportunity of ailay-
ing animosities. Strive to make
converts Of those whom you think III
error: do not address them. as if
Won wished to make them bitter enc
mics to yourselves and your cause.
Discourage in decided and open Ian
suage, that rancour. maiignity. and
unfeeiing abuse, which so ofen find
their way into our public prints, and
wLich only tend to increase the al
ready alarmingirritation Of Our conn
fry. Remember. that in proportion
as people become enslaved to their
passions. they fall into the hands of
the aspiring and unprihcipIed; and
that corrupt government, which
has an interests in deceiyins the peo-
pie. can desire nothing more favcr-
able to their purposes, than fren-
zicd state Of the public mind.
My friends, in this day ofdiscord.
let us cherish and breath around us
the benevolent spirit Of Christianity.
Let us reserve to ourselves this con
ISOLATION, that we have added TO fuel
to the flames, no violence tc the
storms. which threaten to desolase
CIR country. 10 Christian benevo-
!enec, let us add the higher duties OF
piety. cheerful obedience ard re-
siSnalion 70 the viii Of cur Creator.
i'has living We shall not live in vain.
In Ike most calamitoUs times, we
shall bless those who are placed with
in our influence g; we shall carry
within us c0nseiences void Of offence:
and we shall be able to look UP to
God, AS cur approving and protecting
father, who. after appointing US the
trials which we need, will grant us
everlasting rest in heaven.