Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-05-07

bad in the extreme. II the enemy, whom we
intend to fight, does not cripple US, the phssi-
clan, to whom we mean to apply, will certain
ly give US draughts of that nature which altho'
it may afford present relief, will leave behind
tlregs Of poison. They will take care, and
they are very skilful too, to give us bolus
which is pleasing to the sight, and, for aught
we know enveloped in golden cover, bnt
full of the most rancorous venom. 1t creeps
gently into the veins, and lays the foundation
of lingering and painful death. say then
that the remedy is worse than the disorder.
One might ask us, what shall we do Ire
ply-Remain in statu quo. If we go to war,
right or wrong, may glory and victory crown
our arms Americans cannot be conquered
by foreign foes Let their millions invade our
land; let them come from France herself, we
cannot be conquered, five are united in soul,
Shirt and virtue. To expect success in the
true sense of the word, we cannot, unless some
great event in Europe takes place to kick the
beam in our favor When we go to war with
Britain, let us always have in view the nation
against whom we are fighting; for she is va
liant, undaunted, powerful. Were she not so,
could zve expect to be what zve are We are
her descendants, and praise be to the Almighty
for the boast,-zve are valiant, undaunted, pow
erful The war with Britain, if she is obsti-
nate, will be long, bloody and expensive. Va
lor, the genus of her land, by whose NIGH
ty Influence her arms are at this moment
victorious in all parts of the globe, will
sleep, but gaining new trophies and laureS
from every enemy she has, will urge British
heroes to the commission of deeds which will
enrol them on the list Of worthless. Let us re-
collect, for although we war with Britain, let
it be fairly understood, that Wolfe and Mont
gomery, equally distinguished III arms and
virtues, found their graves at Quebec. We
pray for victory from my soul, yea from the
bottom of nv heart, wish America to carry
off the prize, to be the conqueror in the con-
test, and teach the WORLD to know that though
we sometimes differ in sentiment, yet when
the hour ofper.l comes, we are united In heart
and hand and who would not be in those
g times which try mems souls" In the Ian
guage of Father Paul, | say, 0 my country.
Este perpetua-Though enemies surround
you on all sides, be victorious If we should
have war, surely no American in birth and
principle Can refuse to lend his arm to the 60
vernment. The Purse of every citizen must
be open TO supply her wants. If the child
suffers the parent to want the necessary means
and weapons of defence, he surely deserves
the curse of all good men, and certain destruc-
ton awaits him. If we permit the enemy to
take possession ofthe citadel, by reason of oul
neglect to render the proper services, we may
expect to fall with our household gods.
hate an alliance with France. She is de-
ceitful and treacherous nation. If our GO
ycrnment declares war against England, it is
our duty while we are watching our open foes,
to take care that the ally, France, should not
encircle us with her chains. The policy of a.
voiding such an alliance seems to be founded
on the clearest and most irrefragble reason
ing. AS said before, France possesses pc
culiar kind Of poison, which seems to nave
infected the yitals Of all the nations within her
vicinage. Like the Upas tree. it scatters
death and destruction ON every thing which is
within It's shade, The Emperor Napoleon
goes forth with the imperial sceptre of autho-
rity. Nations who behold him tremble and
are afraid. A deadly poison issuing from his
nostrils, nfects the atmosphere, and those who |
are fortunate enough to escape his sword, are |
sure to perish by the infectious vapor. He |
has changed the face Of Europe. Surely he |
cannot shake the earth and remove the foun- |
dations thereof; if he could, he might claim |
equality with the Most High. In the event |
of q war, the spirit Of patriotism must be kept |!
alive it ought not and will not die. The |
ghosts of Washington and Montgomery, ris-
ing from the sleep ofdeath, and bursting their |
silent toAabs, would appear in majesty divine |
to the sons of America, and censuring their
slowness and inactivity, urge them to the per-
formance of actions capable of stamping them !
he brave and legitimate defenders of their
country. May every soldier think himself |
worthy of this noble inscription" Here lie the |
wrecks of the American nation, who preferred |
leath and freedom to life and slavery