Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-05-15

He said. he was reminded of the declara-
tions of those who were unfriendly to republic
can governments, tyrants, monarchists, trends
OF despotism, and privileged orders, affected
to believe, that republican government coula
not exist, that it was imprachcable, that the
people would not support their rights, that
thew could not be trusted, that republican
government, depending upon the VIII OF the
neonle. was too weak to contend with mo-
narcbv. He believed such sentiments libel
against republican governments, particularly
the American government. lie believed
republican government was the strongest on
earth: and such was the opinion of the illus
trious Jefferson, one OF the greatest and pest
men on earth He knew the people were
ready, able and willing to defend their rights
and maintaia their independence.
But calculations have been made, by the
gentleman of Virginia, as to the influence OF
the embargo, as to the prices OF our produce,
-four, sc. 1t will not be denied, that the en-
barge ought not to have been laid without
most evident necessity; nor ought any other
restrictions without the very best reasons
Butbecause the embargo had an influence
upon produce, was that alone a good argu-
.rnent against it The same argument would
have applied with double force in the time OF
the revolution, when the pence upon pound
of tea was the immediate cause OF opposition
to bis Britannia majesty in the revoluuon'-.
He would not say it was the sole cause OF the
revolution. No, it was part OF a'system OF
oppression, which had commenced many years
before; much like that which has been pur-
sued ever since Principle and not profit de-
termined the patriots of that day. They might
have been told of the high price OF produce>
-AAzAd the blessings of peace, and the penis OF
war; and 1nefev *t~5 frIiSfFr nave dti1 il'"'0a
the $4,000 lives which were lost In that great
conflict, and the s 80, 100000 of public debt,
and the depreciation of paper money and pro-
perry to the amount of 100 million OF dollars
more But these arguments would not avail
when the alternative was political slavery on
one hand, and liberty and independence on the
other Had this policy governed, the nde-
pendence of the United States would never
have existed He said, as much as he was
opposed to war if it could be avoided, and
as much as he valued life, and he had hume
rous friends and connections which made
existence as valuable to him as any other
man-still he set double value upon it In the
hope anticipated that he should have an OPP
war or letters of marque and reprisal against
nation which had attempted for more than
90 years to destroy the happiness and llDer-
ties of the people of the .. States, and who
seemed determined not TO be satisfied with any
thing short of absolute subJugatlon. The gen
tlenan from Virginia says the majority have no
system that they have not voted the taxes !;
thatif war was the object, the taxes should hrst
be laid AS the gentleman was opposed not
only TO all preparation for war, but to the ways
and means to carry on the war, he could not
suppose that his plan as recommended to the
majority would carry any obligations with
ii. If indeed the gentleman had been III
favor of the measure, his opinion might have
had great influence. But as to the taxes, 1t
would be recollected, that there was distinct
resolution that no taxes should be laid until a
declaration of war It's known to all that the
taxes proposed are war taxes, and as war tax
es they remained in their proper place, In pos
sessions of the committee of ways and means.
Mr.. J. said, if the bill for laying the taxes was
before the house, be would not vote Tor them
until declaration Of war or letters OF marque
and rcprisal. He had no idea of fixing the
burthen of taxes upon the people, unless 1t
was for the purposes Of supporting a war TO
maintain their own rights and independence.
He did not wonder therefore at the suggestion
OF the gentleman that the taxes ought to be
laid, which would be another theme ot COM
paint and denunciation. When war is de-
clared, taxes will be laid if necessary, and not
without. A government which cannot pro-
tect itself and its citizens from outrage and
plunder, does not deserve the name and
freernen who will not fight for their rights do
not deserve to enjoy them.
Mr.. Calhoun.-Mr. Speaker, it is not my
intention to discuss the ,ecrits of the embargo
law, or to follow the gentleman from Virginia
IN that maze Of arguments and assertions thro'