Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-01-03
From the W Y. Epening Posi-.

To the Editor Of fhe NJ York Evenins Post.
SIR,
The oppressive measures which, under va
rious plausible pretexts, have lately been in-
troduced into the country, are the offspring.
of that love OF power, which proceed towards
its object REGARDLESS of means or consequences.
Tn the bosom of that man whose object is do
minion, every other passion holdsa subordi-
nate station. The nearer he approaches to-
wards its attainment, the more eager he grows
in the pursuit, and the mere open and daring
in the means he employs. The same person
Who AZ ono time, from t,i-arricnt attachment
no liberty and the rights of the citizen, boldly
ventures to g stoh dc peeLs Of goyerament,'
and. to get rid of trifling tax which he feels
little oppressive, exposes his neck to the
halter, is tranformed In the short period OF
twelve years, into second Jehu; turlously
riding over the necks Of the people, and
tranpling upon their dearest rights. Who
could have believed that the man, who dared
70 charge our beloved Washington with the
support Of an act violating private rights, and
intended to destroy public liberty, would HIM
self so soon have proposed TO take away the
trial by Jury, and throw open the, sanctuary OF
the citizen to the rude and lawless inspection
of hungry bandiai, governed by no better
motive than elf-aggrandisement Those old
an,l sagacious patriots, who had already pass
N safety through one revolution, risking all
that was dear to man, to accomplish their
country's deliverance, who, when it was &C
conplished, regardless of popular clamor,
steadily and firmly pursued the course de-
Ioanded BY her honor, her interest and her
safety, they did expect such conduct from
such a man, and with foresight which would
have immortalized an ancient seer, they then
nroclaimed it to the nation with a confidence.
which the event has fully justified. But they
xnoke to the wind. AS easily can the raging
&c the sea be controlled and composed, when
fhe tempest tears 1t up, as the popular mind
when passion and prejudice have driven rea
SON from her seat. But ann approaching 9
xubiect which has been so often without any
effect, brought home to the very senses OF the
x,eople, that to present it again, even under
the form of a mathematical demonstration
would be an absurdity of which shall not BIZ
guilty.
Mr.. Gallatin' sreport to congress on the sub
iect of the non-importation act, is grounded
on the presumption that all the American
merchants arc without principle, and the 70
reign agents of the government unworthy O
any credit. If this were really the fact (ant
he charge comes with very bad grace from
aforcigner. whose life a forfeit to the offended
laws was spared byth mercy of the govern
mcnt1, the remedy proposed by Mr.. Gallatil
Is far worse than the disease, it would atemp
tocurc And ifthis We're really the fact wher
.,rc,wc to- look for the cause of SO rapid ant
60 totala depreciadsnof honorable sentiinen
aud conduct, IN body Of mel, to whose in
- tcssrity aid i-,il dealing, the experience OF e
very mercantile nation bore ample testimony
What sir, mv-. have been the policy of thu