Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-05-12


That all popular governments are botton,ed
on:ghe people, and ought to be exercised Tor
the good Of all, is a political axiom as old as
the existence Of popular governments. What
ever the number OF periods OF popular go
vernmcnts heretofore have been, the govern
nent of the u. States at the present day ap-
pears to be the only existing popular govern
rnent consequently, to it Is applicable IN
peculiar manner, that it ought TO be exercis-
ed for the good of all. The interest and be.
ne6t Of the greatest numDcr are therefore tc
be contemplated and cherished, although thai
might produce some partial Ill. Ihls VIII
apply to nearly every iaa enacted, and such
application is not new. The embargo law ha.
been for several weeks in operation; ed i
the opinion ofthe citizens relative to "a"
is to be formed by comparison ct III na,o'
bers petitioning against the embargo iaw' with
the numbers of those who have not pet'tto Ell
the inference is, that the great body o. tue
people are satisfied that the law is exptdlent
because the number petitioning is small III
deed, and bears little proportion to the num-
bers who have not pettioned. Hence It tol'
lows that there is evidence manifeSting that
the embargo law contains principle opeiat
ing for the general good. Al the tlme the law
alluded to was enacted, they who were In Ia
yor of it believed that it would operate tor the
interest OF this nation that it would to GER
tain extent be means of preserving AmerI-
can seamen from slavery, and the property Of
American citizens from robbery that II
might operate as cautionary notice to mer-
camille men, warning them that the times
L
were dangerous, ard advising not to hazard
men or property on the ocean. Since the day
that law was made, no circumstance has oc-
Cured to alter or change the reason OF the
law, or to shew that it ought to be repealed
Almost every day brings information that sea-
men are impressed and property, neutral pro
perry of this nation, unlawfully and wrongful
ly taken. 1t is in the mean time admitted
that the law will more or less affect every
section of the Union. But it is presumed
that its operation will effect anational benefit,
more especially when it operates as prepar-
atory to war. 1t is urged, that the language
used in the memorial is respectful and that the
memoralists are very respectable. All that
is admitted, but that will not go to prove that
the prayer Of the memorial ought to be grant
ed. It prays for repeal or modification Of
the embargo law, because Of the great guam
tity of produce shut up in particular section
1t would be gratifying indeed if the case was
otherwise But this is one Of those clrcum-
stances which generally are consequential to
laws OF a similar nature, s which when put IN
competition with the general safety Will par
TALLY remain until the proper remedy is APP
piled. 1t is true, that the motion goes to set
J (C,,f hot &c INTO fe-
NAL generally of relief; the national legisia
ture will no doubt give that relief which the
present state ofthings requires; and 1t is hop
Cd that the Memoralists Will conhde IN the
Legislature ofthis Union, that the proper re-
medy at proper time will be applied. Wbe-
Their this nation will be ready or not to SO to
war within 60 days, is not at present necessa-
ry to undertake to show. This consideration
is respecting motion to postpone memoir
al, and does not necessarily involve the ques-
ton Of being prepared to SO to war. Little
by me, said Mr.. r. IS yet has been said on
the subject of war--and at present 1t IS not
deemed necessary; day may be when it may
be otherwise.
1t is urged that they do not beAieUe the .,
States can 20 TO gvar. We'll, if they do not
believe, and will act accordingly, with them
selves De it, Oh themselves be the conse-
uuence. Several laws have been enacted dur
ing the present session, bearing strong evil
ience in themselves, that they are preparato-
ry TO war carrying with them also evidence
that the y. 5. can go to war at time when
the unprovoked injuries inflicted by foreign
nation renders war necessary-but they will
not believe that the constitutional government
of this nation is sincere in respect to war
well then, that they who will not believe may
be convinced if possible, let the further con-
sderation Of the memorial be postponed un-
til the fourth day of July next. Let this evil
dence of sincerity, in addition to all those al
ready offered, be afforded.
The agreeing to this motion will not ruin
lie r,ennIe IL thnurht said Mr. z il