Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-09-16

said that our restrictive systems answer the
purposes of one much better but these re-
strictlve measures have, by the confession OF
their authors, been only partially effective;
and they would have no effect at all, were the
communication open between the different
parts OF Europe, and we cannot expect 1t much
longer TO continue lii the state in which we
now behold it, at least In this important re-
spect. Do we hope by the representation OF
our wrongs, and the superior address efaour
ministers in stating them, to obtain their re-
dress? This is almost too Quixotic to be
mentioned, since it must be evident to all men
that force or interest, and not right, regulates
the conduct of nations 10 each other The
fable of the Wolf and the Lamb is now exem-
piied throughout the world, whenever weak
ness comes III contact with strength. This
we have woefully experienced in the hume
rous captures of our defenceless, unprotected
merchant ships. A navy is however objected
to on the ground of the expense which must
attend it to this it is sufficient to answer, that
if this is no. Incurred, our commerce must be
abandoned, or we must consent to ENJOY
skulking traffic wherever those who have the
rule of the ocean will permit us to carry 1t on.
Between these alternatives, | am confident no
man of honor or sense would hesitate, for no.
thing but meanncss would consent to abandon
our trade, or to modify it as a foreign nation
should dictate. 1t has been however demon
strated that the expense of feet of frigates
(and we contend not for larger ships) would
be trihing in national point OF view, so much
so that the maritime coastof the country alone
could with ease support it, and have no doubt
would do it with pleasure, were 1t proposed.
1t is however equally the interest OF the lnte-
rior that our commerce should be protected,
and nothing but blindness to their own in
terests can induce our agriculturalists longer
to object to the creation OF force, which
shall protect their produce on the road to
foreign market.
The importance and utility of navy being
SO apparent, it must create astonisment to OBJ
serve the apathy that prevails on the subject,
and induce US to look round tor It's cause
The question has been sometimes agitated OF
the floor of Congress, and the weakness OF the
arguments against it were apparent TO all, es-
pecialy when contrasted with the manly and
persuasive eloquence of its supporters; the
disparity was so great, that it evidently was
not the merits of navy that decided It's non
IL.
rejection to the narrow, selfish feelings OF too
many of our Legislators, who thus reasoned
the matter,-Why shosld l vote an expense,
when the benefit is SO distant, and risque the
loss of my popularity and place, before these
vessels can be ready to act, and their use &C
knewledged and leave the credit OF the mca-
sure to be enjoyed by my political successors,
who will direct their operations
Ought principles or reasonings like these
to Influence and depress the honor and spirit
of our infant republic? Rather let us like
men set about to redress our wrongs, and not
ike children vapour OH shore at our enemies,
while our gallant seanen suffer every evil of
humanity in consequence of our economic
pus!animity. Let us build respectable navy
of frigates, and give our Hulis, Decaturs and
Rodgers opportunities to Distinguish them
selves ard their country, in defence OF our
maritime and national rights.
JUVENIS.