Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-07-22

:, s,,t of the resources of our country, by the
uncertainty Of the efficacy OF our system VI
revenue. and other difficulties, arising from
the recent organization of the government. nc
was not deferred from the adoption Ga .ne
most energetic measures to vlndlcate the no
nor. and protect the commerce OF the nation
The most impartial neutrality we Observed
bnt onr rights as a neutral nation were main
tained when Uielated, negotiation was re-
sorted to, but negotiation was accompanied ny
preparation to enforceour demands the eseli'
justified what the experience OF ages mas con-
'6rmed--that to assume respectable Pos.u'e
of defence is the best security tor the ENJOY
mept of the blessings of peace--a fayofl'e
maxim ofthe father ofhis country. However
gratifying to our feelings, we wall not owen
uDon a theme so honorable to the American
character, memory faithfully retains the re-
cord of the blessing we have enjoyed. Agf,-
culture, commerce and manufactures extend
ed, improved and augmented with unexam-
pied rapidity. The rising greatness OF Atne-
RIGA was the envy Of the civilized world-oP-
pressed humanity, cast longing look TO ine
western Hemisphere, and parted tor an ASy-
linn with the supposed favourte OF Heaven
1t cannot be disguised that moarhlui feVefso
of fortune is destined to detorm the page,
which will convey to posterity, this portion Oh
our history. ~,
A summary of the circumstances, when
have obscured the Frightening prospect 9.
national glory is necessary to animate your ex-
ertions to avert that calamity, which, without
the signal interposition of Divine Providence
must Shut it in for evev. These circumstanc-
es are encountered in the history OF parties,
whichrdivide our country now, and deblltate
our national councils.
France was the ally of America in her con-
test with the mother country, because she was
the hereditary and implacable enemy OF Great
Britain. America was grateful tor her assist
ance, without analizing the policy, which
prompted her to afford 1t.
France awakened from the sleep of centu-
ries, and suddenly vindicating the rights OF
man against mans oppression, afforded a spec
tacle to which freemen could not be lndltfer-
ent--America viewed it with unspcakable
interest. Gratitude stimulated by sympathy
efferyesoed to enthusissm-an awful crlsl,
was about to plunge our country into all the
horrors, which have marked the progress OF
CONFUSION, which has involved kingdoms,
empires and Republicks in one tremendous
ruin.-That Being, who had graciously res
cued us from the tyranny of Britain again bar
ed his arm for our salvation. He inspired and
strengthened the same agent who was our
leader in the tented feld-The wisdom and
intrepidity of Washington, interposed between
his country and the abyss, which gaped for
her destruction. The proclamation otneutra-
lily secured to US the blessings of peace, but
its iilustrious author and his friends became
the subjects of suspicion and obloquy to many
of their fellow citizens,-From this period,
fellow citizens, you will date the rise ofparties
in this country. Their progress is distinguish
ed by characters, which uniformly take their
coloring from this original. Attachment to
France has been the bane of our national hap
piness. 1t is in reality the efficient cause of
all the evils which have accumulated upon as
as to this disastrous moment, when it Is about
to commit us in war with Grea, Britain, and
its more dreadful concommitant an alliance
with France.
Unfortunately for our unhappy country tao
the pre]Udices of a majority OF your fellow
citizens have sanctionedthis fatal prediction.
II urged you to expel from your confidence &
councils-Tbose men to whose patriotic ex-
ertions you were indebted for the early great
ness of the Republic. You hailed with affec-
ton and exultation their successors as exclu-
siye patriots and friends ofliberty-alone wor-
thy to direct your destinies. -Experience, the
true oracle Of wisdom has demonstrated their
incapacity and your delusion-- alas how
much that delnsion has been increased, and
protracted by the vile arts and iDfammatory
writings of foreign incendiaries. Can you be
at loss to account for the zeal and Industry
they have used to hoodwink the good people
of the L. States to their true interest. In CEN
surfing the conduct Of these depraved but I'M
fortunate men, we ought not 30 conceal, that
there are circumstances, which, in some degree
extenuate the guilt they have incurred Ma
ny of them are natives OF Ireland. A depen-
dency of Great Britain, Ireland has long Ian
i tad In,