Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-08-05

Mr.. SNoMpEN,


k.rtucnts This dissertation acquires some
Importance from its appearing in the National
Tqtelligencer Otherwise it would not deserve
notice, being a mere tissue ofparty virulence,
distorted facts and sycophantish adulatlon to
the president.
This sey.vile Vehicle of the viii of the Pre-
sident-this american 11oniteur, as obedient
70 Madison as is the French Moniteur to Be-
naparte, it is we'll known, is edited almost un-
der the inspection oftIie government at Wash
ington ]: and that nothing of political import
ance appears in it which is not permitted or
prepared by the cabinet. Viewing therefore
the opinions and principles avowed in this dis
sertation as flowing from the supreme execu-
tive the United States, developement OF
their dangerous and hberticidal tendency be-
comes duty imposed on every friend OF free
dom.
The Review begins with acknowledging the
people of these United States TO be sovereign,
butthis acknowledgement seems to he made
for the sole purpose of telling them, that, like
all other reigns-emterors or kings, they
are in equal danger Of being delHded and
Shnded' BY the articles ofthe yenal courtlers,
by whom they are continually assaied--A
hoor compliment to The intelligence ofour teo-
hle AID their fitness for f-goVernment-
The founders Of our republic expected better
things from them.-and have vainly shed their
blood to obtain for the people the precious
right of governing themselyes-if they be
thus liable to be " deiaded and blinded" by
6 articles iavented" for the purpose Such
delusions, however, may as efectuaily destroy
eur happiness as the caprlcleus teroclty OF
Napoleon or Zengiskhan. Such delusionS
may lead to the overthrow of our liberty and
the establishment of despotism, as certainly
as obedient armies with Napoleon at their
head. But different was the opinion of our
ancestors. They held that the people were
less liable than emperors and kings to be
g deluded and blinded" by {" articles invented"
for deception-and particularly that the intel
Egence Of the American nation was such, that
their liberty and happiness could be safely
trusted TO their own custody. They were of
opinion with these federal members of Con-
press, these faithful disciples of Washington,
ton who perseveringIy amidst prosecutions
and revilings walk in the path marked out by
that great and virtuous man; that republic
has for Its basis the capacity and right OF the
people to govern themselves" But the wrl-
fer of this Review treats with contempt this
sacred a1iom. For without daring to deny its
truth, he makes /" fhis CAPACITY" depend not
on their iateiligence, but on their feeling; not
on the perceptions Of their minds, but on the
Gcateness other sensations. Though he holds
that they possess not ability TO analize the
principles or understand the measures other
rulers, he graciousy grants to them cafacf-
lie IF rCr
BY their feelings 4Aen they are hurt: In TACT,
that mGn like the brute, can Judge OF his ST.
tuation more certainly from sensation than ra-
eiocination. Thus that god Ike faculty. Of rea.
son--in which alone he approximates his Gre
ator, and which gives him SO great superb
ority over other animals, IS by this second
Filrnor, this modern defender ct the divine
rights of kings, rendered of no use to him IN
the most important concern OF ite-the fohtl-
coz condition Of his eountry--on which depend
the safety. wei being and happiness of him
self and family According to this writer,
hough the people cannot understand the
ssViy aud the wherefore" they can feel when
they are happy. According TO him the right
Oithe people to govern themselves is as we'll
sNmplihed, when they are grTerned by an
Geaed minority" as by an anarmed majority
--th is when they are governed by kings and
enpAors with mercenary legions at their
heelsss when they are governed by the peace
full rnA Of persons CLOSER by themselves and
.baVtg Nd feeling a common interest zpith them
and aslesebte 10 them In fact that regal
govemte7t is as much governalent Of The
n aeHlt as our Republican system He thus
make all governments equal--and by plain
whatever be its form, which produces the
creates degree Of happiness This is the
" exact dstrfae OF the emferor NAPOLEON. He
tells the people Of France that the despotism
established by him is necessary to their hap
piness. He tells them he has expelled their
former princes and usurped their throne only
10 makethem happy--that he lives only for
their good and the good of such other nations
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