Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-06-27

proclamation W Ill have removed your doubts
on the subject of 7var. Yesterday the fatal IN
strument was signed, which seals the doom OF
! America, and commences new era tor our
Inflated country. The declaration OF war but
finishes the climax it is but the last OF syS-
tenn Of measures, which has been uniformly
pursued for years q partial and ruinous sys-
| TEN, which by gradual operation has reduced
Us to our present desperate Condition, from
which fear human wisdom will never be able
| TO eXrlcate Us.
| Under existing circumstances, you will not
/ expect an answer 10 your letter requesting
: my opinion of the probable Issue OF our APP
preaching contest" When measures an
der the discussion OF our rulers, then is the
| time to express our doubts OF It's pToprIty,
and then we are justified lii ralslng our voice
! to warn our couHtryRen OF their danger. But
when bill is irrevocably passed, aud resist
, ance becomes vain, it is oar duty to acquiesce,
and (though our feelings are reluctant, to call
forth our energy for the honor OF the nation.
The reasons for which the present war must
| be undertaken, are too various to be cnumc-
rated. That which has been backed with the
greatest preparations, is the froEection Of cur
| foreign commerce by the reduction Of Canada
| How the complete success OF our project can
produce tie proposed end, is subject which
| battles tie understanding OF every considerable
man. More difficulties arise, because even
the most strenuous advocates, VINO confidently
| look forward to the same result, have pointed
ous different methods in which this object viii
| be Effected Whenever the cause OF Amcrl-
ca is Just, would wish her arms to be inyin-
chile. II an expedition is to be undertaken
| for the conquest Of Canada, enough the ac-
| quiaitlQn would be our irreparablc oss) the
wishes and prayers Of every American, viii
| arise to the Coo Of battles, to crown liz with
victory. But though no object can be obtain
| I'd by a successful attack on Canada adequate
| to the hazard Of war, yet the very success
| is involved in uncertainty.
Do not infer from The following remarks,
that / would muster up fears to make the
soldier shlihk from the daring contest, or en-
| dcayor to ALLEVIATE the minds of niy country
| men from the acts of our government, al
| time when union is necessary in our citizens,
and public spirit in our military bodies, to pre-.
vent inevitable disgrace and EationaI ruin
! No, sir, from d comparison Of probabilities,
would in plain, simple statement disclose my
sentiments on the important subject, that you
may know what is our real situation, what is
! our prospect of success, and wilhal, what the
| most confident have to fear.
Many have acquired falacious confidence,
| from considering our advantages for val
| They viii tell OF our proximity to Canada, the
object of our arms the dlsafection Of his
n,aiesty's subjects there, which invites Us to
| make an easy conquest; the abundance OF our
arms and military stores, and the spirit and
courage of our troops when exasperated by
so many injuries and outrages from our OPP
ponent They have seen the expression Of
the public sentiment in numerous war resolu-
lions sent to congress from all parts of the
union; resolutions which for their sentiments
Of hostility, must have been dictated when re-
sentiment caused the blood to boil in the veins.
Their confidence becomes unboundcd when
they consider our former success against the
same enemy, when our Plumbers were few, and
| our resources limited. Upon viewing all these
circumstances, they pronounce that man dis
ordered in intellect, who can suggest the idea
of defeat in our operations There are not
wanting hose who fooishly imagine, that the
| walls of Qnebt must quake to their founda-
ton, by the eff ,acy of mere hoher declara-
ton Of war / pity the weakness Of such men,
while disspproye of the sentiments Of those,
who continually predict our defeat and deny
the possibility of success. Time alone can
confirm ON doubts.
In comparing the present with the rcyolu-
tionaHy var it must not be forgotten that the
latter was defensive war for our affairs aud
hfeSldes-tPe former is 10 be undertaken for
conquest. That our ability for prosecuting
waels greater than at any former period,
none viii dehy. Our soldiers are more nu-
maFous and better equipped; cur resources
ana military preparations are more extensive
but diversity OF interests prevents that union
OF sentiment which is produced at the ap-
proach OF Danger. 1t is an undeniable fact, |
chat the majority Of the people are opposed
to war, The resolutions which are sent in