Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-08-17
For tAe .Alerendria Gazette.

Of the people and is intended for their bcnent
and nrotection. 1t is mutual contract and
;nvoiyes mutual obligations. The subject
owes his government allegiance-the govern
ment owes it's subject protection. II IS idie
70 talk of the superiority of one form OF COVER
ment over another-to dispute abonE n9Haes'
The end of all government being to protect
the subject in his person and his properly
tkat which most .effectualiy secures this pro-
tection. by whatever name it may be callea, u
The hest. tits the supremacy OF the Saw winch
f;srinsuishss the civilized from the natural
stare Of man. Destroy this supremacy, and
we are again reduced TO state OF nature,
Every man becomes the Judge OF ms own
cause, the protector OF his own rights, ana
the ayenger of his own wrongs. These are
some of the considerations which suggest
themselves to the mind, while viewing the
scenes, which have been recently exhibited In
Baltimore 1t is true that the spirit OF out-
raee. has shewnitself in many of our principal
c;fiAs. but in Baltimore only has 1t assumed
and maintained superiority, over the Civil
zathority. The mobs of New-York, Norris
Gown. Petersburg, aud Savannah, have pro-
ceeded to the destruction OF property, and III
: one instance TO the abuse ofperson--buti 1t was
reserved. for the enlightened metropolis OF
MARYLAND, TO furnish the first evidence OF that
natriotic spirit, which would prosecute It's pc
Iitieal opponent g even unto the death
which would require as an atoncment Tor po-
litical transgression, the blood OF man yene-
rable for his virtues, for his services, and Tor
his years.
But the most alarming characteristic Of this
attrccious offence, against the majesty of tie
laws. is the boldness and impunity, with which
II has been perpetrated. However evident 1t
NAV be. that there has not been that prompt
interposition ofthe civil and military authori-
ties OF Baltimore, which the people had right
10 expect, still we cannot believe them guilty,
Of the aIledeed combination with the mob, TO
rid themselves ofpolitical enemies, whom they
feared for :heir talents and hated Tor their SEN
timents. Inference alone cannot justify,
charge Of such enosmity. That the constltut-
ed guardians, of the lives and property OF their
fell9w-citizens, should be induced BY any ap-
peal, by any arguments or persuaslons, even
In the mement of greatest human trallty-to
betray the important trust committed to Their
CHARGE - That to sucn an abandonment otpnb-
lie duty, personal treachery, should have been
ssperadded, that they should have opened the
arms of civil protection, to the objects OF poPu-
lar furv. only to strapgle them In the embrace,
that the pledge of the protection of the law,
should have been given only to, ensure the
destruction Of those who conhded In 1t, that
the sceptre of Justice should have been ex-
changed for the assassin's dagger, and It's
6 sweet waters thus converted into "blood'
involves in it the idea of degree OF turpltude
uncomfortable by virtuous mind. The tacts
which have been already disclosed, Will not
warrant stigma of SO deep die upon the
constituted authorities of any City--eyen OF
Baltimore. What evidence thesuferers upon
this occasion will furnish to prove combina-
ton, so nonstrous and unnatural, we know
not--God forbid that any such should exist
Blu, however innocent or guilty the civil au-
thority NAV be of participation in the views
and feelings of the mub--it is unquestionably
true that moo law has superseded every other
Kind of Law in that unhappy city Upon the
rims of law and ORDER that worst of all despos,
the mob, has erected this throne and rules
without spposition. The freedom OF the press
so much boasted ot--the freedom OF speech,
and even of opinion, trembc at his nod and
Nv from his presence. Ali confidence is lest,
aud all security al an end the master is silent
before his servant. and the father is afraid to
speak of the late occurrences IN the presence
Of ais son; the magistrates dare not proceed
in the exercise of their functions ; and we
have seen in the hour of greatest peril, the
grand jury Of the county discharged, upon the
ground that all lazy and order was at an end,
and the doors of the temple of justice closed.
The best men of the city have been prescribed
and compelled TO desert their families and
their homes for the preservation oftheir lives
and strange TO tell, the leaders Of this feroci-
Gus band Of disorganizers walk the streets
n gentlemen .tezp days since 81 visit u
Bolfsmcre called ufton an old friend qoh0ni ht
found IN his corustaag room zyith his tzUo sons