Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1812-10-28
ALEXANDRIA.
WEDNESDAY. oeto6er %.
"To sHEw
THIS VERY AGE & BODY OF THE TIMR
HIS toRM AND PRESSURE"
) TO sHEw

E1.asszzzas-sa1.S
Mr.. Madison's friends themselves, in
the declaration that his measures have
been rendered abortiye in consequence
of federal opposition, furnish one Of the
strongest evidences of his incompetent
cy to govern the nation. No quali6ca-
ton is more essential 10 a ruler, than an
intimate acquaintance with the genius,
habits, manners, and dispositions OF the
people over whom he presidcs. With
out such an acquaintance, his admini-
stration will be series of blunders eqaal-
" fatal to his own reputation, and to the
prosperity of his people. 1t was such
knowledge as this, which enabled the
Athenian Iaw-giver to impart to his fel-
low citizens, the full benefit Of his own
wisdom, it was the 7vant of it which i'm
p-dcd and had we'll nigh defeated, all
the schemes Of the great Russian refor
ncr, for introducing the polish of the
court amongst his own untutored sub
jects. Before Mr. Madison had adopted
his ami commercial system, he should
nave weighed the genius, the habits and
disposition Of that part Of his people,
whose element is the ocean, who are
rocked in the cradle of commerce, and
whose subsistence itself depends upon
its freedom. Could he have reasonably
expected to change by single stroke
of his pen, the genius and dispositions
Of whole people, tc correct as it were
by the touch of majic wand--the SAL
lor into farmer, and the merchant into
mechanic--and in the mean time to
i!l their empty stomachs with the proud
anticipation of becoming one day, as
great manufacturing nation as Great
Britain now is 81? Ito change the dress
of his people. was all undertaking TO
which The genius and energy OF Peter
the lst was scarcely adequate, without
involving The tranquility OF, the nation,
how far above the reach of his talents,
must it be, to change the character 9,
the most enlightened part of his consui-
tuents without struggle or sigh!
Before Mr. Madison had commenced
a sansuinary zvar, he ought 10 have as
certained the true state OF the nations
feelings-he should have considered the
moral, political and religious objections
which might be urged against it; and
Jules. the result; Of such deliseration
should have satisfied him that the people
would make Conmeh cause with him.
every principle of policy and humanity
demanded his forhearance. The arm
that draws the sword, should be strong
enough 10 WELD it. The ruler who de-
clares war without the means of prose-
cutting it, or of defending his own people
from its ravsgss, invites their ruin and
ensures his own downfall. But if to
commence a'war in ignorance be crime
what shall we say when ruler takes
upon himself the awful responsibility OF
such an act, contrary TO the wishes, and
in defiance to the circumstances of more
than one half Of these whose lives and
fortunes are to furnish the means of its
support This much at least-that the
man vi no acts thus contrary to the wishes
Of the people, and to the plaincst max
inns of sound policy, will assuredly ex-
pose the weakness Of his own authority,
and in ell probability endanesr the IL
berries of the nation.