Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-06-16

Z 4
!, I shalt now slew that the r,ahner they at,
about to commence it, is evidence of Cha
weakness and folly which must make it ers
disastrously, as to a foreign enemy.
The book, which many cs them have cndea
yored to lead us to despise, has, WIKI tha
wisdom which characteristics it, asked thess
questions" For which Of you, intending t.
build tower, stitch not down first and eoun:
eth the cost, whether be hath sufficient to E.
nish it, lest haply after he hath laid the foua,
dation and is not able to finish it, all that be.
hold it begin to mock him, saying This MAJ
began TO build and was not able TO anish -
Or what king going to war with another king
stitch not down first and consulteth, whether
he be able with ten thcusand, to meet him
that cometh against him with twenty thousand
---or else while the other is yet great way
off, he sendeth an embassags and reouircth
conditions OF peace 90
These instructive questions have been dis.
regarded by our rulers II the object of the
war be the reduction of Canada, have they
calculated the expence Of blood and treasure
that it must cost to take and 10 hold ;t-witb
an exhausted treasury; with ar incapabiuy
OF getting money upon loan; Nth the fear Of
taxing those they deceived with hope tha.
their economy would exempt them from tho
necessity of taxes altogether, is IL not mos,
probable after having laid the foundation,
they will not be able to finish it s'-If the Oh.
ject be to force recognition of violated com.
mercial rights, have they calculated whether
with sic or seven Jrigates they will be able to
cope with q thousand vessels Of ycy2 Tn.
less the wisdom Of Providence had so order.
ed it, syhfeh fortunately blinds those IL ;stends
70 ruin, is it possible to suppose that counting
war as they have done for years, they should
yet do every thing to weaken the resources
and exhaust the treasure of the nation in idle
speculations upon the force OF commercial
restrictions; in fomentinr party feuds; in &C.
cusing (by wicked artihees) the patriotism Of
their fellow citizens, and in irritating by un.
Just and partial laws the strongest portion Of
their country. Yet such is the history Of
their conduct upon the eve Of crisis, 50
loudly calling for union, force and patriotism.
To cover the iniquity of their conduct, they
endesvor to induce belief that the war is to
be war for independence and liberty. be.
licye it will be, but the danger is not from
foreign, but domestic enemies. The Poet
says " An open foe may prove curse--5us
pretended friend is worse" England nsithes
threatens our libcrty or independence. She
may assail some OF the outskirts, but she sure.
ly has done nothing to endanger the body OF
the works. The friends Of French fraternity
are sapping both. Let them proceed and ono
mighty ruin will ingulph the whole. ALREADY
some of the bolder leaders assert, that the
commencement of war, will be the prelude 70
political prosecutions The men who are and
have been the threatened victims Of these re-
evolutionary dcspots, have neither the weak
ness nor the :ameness to be inundated with
out struggle. They cherish tia freedom
for which their fathers bled, and dared to oiei
they were the heroes Of American indcpeH'
dancy, & 'ephemiron tribe Of daring de'na.
popues. will not deceive virtuous & thinking /
people to aid them in their destruction. ms
genius Of America, reused from its slurbeF' /
by the wells of democratic violence, will throw
over her sons the mantle of safety, ard HeaVea h
that never fails to punishyice, will conslgnp ]
-, >, ,, 6;,, rrse. the foNeDfers OF d. "a