Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-10-16
ADDRESS of the Delegates Of Ner Jersey,
to the People.
FELLOW CITIzENs.

IN their several townships, by written or print.
ed ballots, or partly written, and partly print
ed, are to choose 8 Electors of President and
Vice President, and 6 Representatives in Con
gress, for this state.
To this choice most of us are called in the
most critical and alarming condition of the
public affairs of our confederated Republic
Our solemn opinion is, that we shall be an
undone nation, ii the PEOPLE by a prudent,
firm and united exercise of their individual
rights of suffrage do not CHANGE the men
AMI councils which have suffered and brought
upon US these wide spreading cafamities. No
instance, we believe can be produced in the
history Of mankind, of so rapid a declension
ola great and prosperous people sinking from
wealth, strength and honor, into national
embarrassment weakness and disgrace.
In the very moment ofdeclaring war against
G.. Britain, when all should have been prepa-
ration-the Treasury was empty even a loan
could not be procured the great Var Ta9es,
absolutely necessary for CARRYING it on for the
years it might continue, though reported by
the committee of ways and means, were post
poned until the elections should be past.-The
people it was thought might begin to feel the
loss of peace and the destruction of revenue,
and agriculture too soon-before
the men IN power, in the state and general
government, had made good their reelection
into office.
acknowledgements forbear to review the
| infatuated measures and temper of the admin
istrators of the government, or to lay before
you the undoubted evils and ruinous conse-
quences which must follow, from their con-
tinuance in power, and the prosecution of
this rash and unnecessary war. We have but
to look to its beginning when our enemy too
was invaded and taken by surprize) to be
convinced, that after a few years of disastrous
conflict it may happen that we shall have no
thing left worth fighting for or defending.
And yet, however, we are not leagued with
France $50 we would hope)-nor has the war
yet become too settled and confirmed to pre-
vent an effort to an honorable adjustment of
our differences with Great Britain.
Peace, however, we are firmly persuaded
must be the fruit of our Elections. The cabi
net, and the men in office, those who are to
thrice on the blood and treasure of the Peo-
pie, lavished in a long course of warfare
they will not make peace-Their pride, their
interest, their solemn determination to des-
troy England-the insidious policy and in
trigues Of France, forbids US to hope that
they will give us back Peace.
lOu&I ~ ita liz y OhNiA
sive Orders in Council, which were alledged
to be the great cause of war-(a war in which
we can gain nothing, and must loose beyond
estimate) yet do the men now conducting our
affairs. openly say, there shall be no peace,
until every other demand is yielded. Even
the desire of 'lulling the people till the electi-
ons are past, does not inf uence them to even
promise peace. Co%untrymen, and friends of
your country, be not deceived into a belief,
that those who have made this war will or can
| end it: France must be consulted-the des-
Dot and tyrant of the world, will not permit
them to retire from the contest in which his
arts have engaged them AS yet we trust
| there is no alliance, but there is a common
cause and mutual dependence, which must
carry our feeble and deceived csbinet into the
! vortex of French power and domination. 1t
will be vain, under these circumstances, to
| look to the existing administration of our state
| and national government for Peace, or to sup
! pose if re elected, they will promote its resto-
ration. But the people are not committed to
this war-they can and we trust will termin-
ate il. by a change of councils. What bene-
fits may we not look for to the union, to its
present and future prosperity, were but men
chosen free to act and sincerely disposed to
close this war, by a liberal and honorable
course of negotiation. The opportunity, the
only one which may present itself, is now az
forded to US through our wise constitutions,
by our votes, to save our country from the
horrors. and burdens, and certain calamities
of this illjudged war.
In regard to the selection and choice of
countU representatives and officers, friends
to honorable peace, we have only to express
our hope that no effort will be left untried in
their behalf. Much, indeed, depends on a
change in the State Legislature.
1t IS our particular duty, however, and with
great satisfaction we present for the approba-
ton and support of our fellow citizens, EIec-