Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1812-10-22

ever marty may claim him. Wnen
there is q good prospect that the lat,
ter gentleman will be elected apc
that his administration will be con-
Quoted upon Federal principles
ought they to refuse him their votes
because he has never declared HIM
self a Fcderalist? Ought they 70
reject the substance because they
cannot get the shadosc ?-if MI
Clinton IS an advocate for those mea-
sures, which, they wish to see adopt
sd, he is as much feicfaiist as
they wish him to be. They look TO
mcasurcs-.not to names--They are
as willing. that their country shonld
be saved by one party as by another.
They wish for power fromno selfish
motives. and would use it to a bet
ter purpose, than the qualification OF
personal prejudice or the promotion
of party views.-They will therefore
be coatented, that Mr.. Clinton should
hold the reins Of government, II he
will manage them as they would.
The democrats. say that Mr. Clin-
ton has in former years declared the
Federal party to be organized for
the subversion of liberty, for the Sc
separation OF the States, &c. &c. If
he has ever cherished such absurd
opinions we hope that he has given
them up Cor want ofeyidenee. We
presume at least, that the support
which the Faderalisis give to hic,.
who Processes himself Is true friend
to bis country. viii be admitted as
some liG:le proof of their patriotism.
But granting that Mr.. Clinton has
has had an! sill has this opinion of
the Federal party. cnsht they for
this reason to refuse 10 u:,neid him?
This would prove the Fedcralists
Grmec friends to their party than to
their country. While his qua.i:iea-
tens are So mush sl;Darier 10 those
Of Mr.. Madison, w!!l.e we nave c.
very reason to hore iron the one,
change Of measures. and IotIi:ae to
expect from the Oiner, bot coH,inu-
ance in taat destructive system,
which has sunk the nation SC deep in
suffering and debusement. neither
party attachment Eor party pre;u-
dice should prevent the Eedtralists
from supporting Mr.. Clinton by ali
hcnorablc ueans.
Woald to God that tho destinies Of
our country coa!d be entrusted to
men. who have uniformly been in
principle and in practice the disciples
of Washington, who have never coun-
tenanced aparty that has trampled
upon his mensry by abandoning his
pelicy. But there is no prospect of
the election of any man TO the Pre-
sidency who bears the name of Fe-
deraIist. The lamcntable bitterness
of party spirit precIudes all such
prospect. The public mind is pois-
ened by the calumnies and falsehoods
Of ewspapers devoted to the interest
Of men in power. Since this is our
condition, we rejoice that Mr.. Gin
ton, whose eminent talents and long
tried integrity have gained him ex-
tensiye popular;ty, has dared to step
forth ssrom the ranks Of democracy 4
declare himselfan enemy to the pro-
cecdinss Of that party, which has III
t,erio claimed Iiim-Ias dared TO
avow himself the friend Of Commerce
aud Of Psace-We rejoice, that so
mary ofhis eradherents havcnot
deserted hin. but have resolved to
support him for the Presidency. Mr..
Clinton now pulley processes an at
tachGant to those measures which
the FeGe.alists have ever advocated
Mr., Madison obsiinate!y sdheres
to those which the Federaiists have
over opposed. Cnc Of these gentle
men will certainly be our next Pre-
sidest-Can &c hesitate then to sup
port Cintoni
We would ask those democrats. who
have vel the courage to think and
act for themselves, which OF these
candidates it is then their interest
and duty to support g? If in the ho- |
nesty of their hearts they have hi- |
therto believed in the wisdom and |
integrity Of Mr.. Madison, we do not
blame them that they have upheld
iim-Dut we now ask them TO be.
iieve their own senses. to look at the
condition Of our country, and see
that its rulers are not wise.-Do YOU
wish for peace and will you support
a man. who has plunged you UMPIRE
pared and defenceless into ruimous
war-who has no ability TO conduct