Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-05-16

-, and minority were IN their character SO
ascL like those to which he had been accus-
,oned to listen in the spring of 1900 from the
msmbers of the then majority that they re-
minded him (as we'll as other circumstances
~bich forced themselves ON his observation
fold times There was the same incessant
tlk Of the majority speaking the sentiment of
me people then as now-and that the minority
must submit--accompanied by threats by no
means unintelligible. They were as confident
e their strength as the majority now is and
wth as much reason, for they had some sys-
em--they would persist in running counter
10 the public sentiment under the idea otswlm-
ming with it--and like them these gentlemen
with all their patriotism and honor and gall
hntry and zeal will sink beneath the wave of
public opinion never to rise again, unless they
rise under some other name.
You cannot go to war with the people divid-
ed the subject and the elections in n. York
and New England are decisive on that head.
Thisis different question, sir, from that of
surindependence it is differently brought on;
under different auspices-by different men,
and far other councils. The war spirit is prin-
clpally stimulated at this mon ent by those
who have escaped from the tyranny or justice
fas il may be termed) of the British govern
ment long since the war of independence.
Almost every leading press in the U. S. is
conducted by persons of that description--the
Two leading presses in the city of Philadelphia,
one in the city of Baltimore, and might add
another in third city, if it deserved the lame
Of leading press. This is the description
Of persons who In resentment of the wrongs
they have recently received from the Irish
and British governments are now goading US
to war-talking about .fnlerican spirit--the
spirit Of oar rs0etution, and of tarring and
Gathering the tories, as they have the match
less aGdacity to term the wings of the reyolu-
lion. Let them beware. ~ have /" tory" in
my eye (Col Stuart) who will not undergo
the discipline OF tar and feathers from these
second founders of the republic without re-
sistance.
Wemay talk of war as we please-but what
have we made to it We are
so much the nearer to it that our main reli-
lnce, our principal staff, the loan to raise re-
venue to carry OH the war, has proved to be a
srokensreed. We complain of the embargo,
and gentlemen tell us of war. 1t is not Of war
We complain but Of embargo. We, contend,
indeed, that war cannot be waged under pre-
'eDt auspices without defeat, disgrace and dis
ster to ourselves. We see that it will be |
DISASTROUS and ruinous; but our present com.
plant is not of it but Gifts PRECURSOR its aUant
:aurier the Embargo.
One gentleman has said we have adopted |
very measure which the situation Of the coun-
ny requires In case we meant to go to war |
We have not adopted two of the most impor- |
ant andin dispensable. We have not passed the
'lls for raising the supplies. Mr.. Randolph |
aid that he would candidly apprize the gentle
nan from Kentucky that he should have voted |
sainst the genteman's taxes because he was |
opposed to the war. But this was noapology |
Orthe advocates of war. The taxes ought to
lave been laid Off war was their intention) in
line TO meet the expence In time for the |
proceeds to answer the public exigencles |
luce they could not be productive until at least /
Telye months after they shall have been i'm
Csed Instead of which burthen greater in |
mount and far more unequal In its operation
lad been laid on the country in the shape of
Embargo, destroying our resources and d.
: 'S tHO eA'Sauy StIAoAi iSSNAP. VI VIZ
Treasury.
There is another measure, one advocated
most zealously blythe gentleman from S. Caro-
ma himself, and BY his learned and amiable
eoieague who usually sits before him Mr..
,,aeves) by the honorable Speaker of this
iouse, and by most of those who have dis
layed the greatest zeal for war. Imcan mea-
ures tor maritime defence and offence. It's
erfectly obvious if we go to war with
'sat maritime power, we must resort to
aeasures of naval preparation. We are told of
ae sound being sealed against us, Gas it is by
'snlsh privateers under French orders) and
Ow IS the seal to be taken off !? By calling out
ae militia; or BY adding two additional Sc
retaries to the Department of War? am no
ssy man, sir; but have long ago declared
InrNNu ~ Akl>1