Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-08-15

disgrace upon Austria, Russia and Prussia,
in their wars with France /? Not the want of a
Just cause In commencing these wars, but the
corruption, treachery, favoritism or what has
operated still more powerfully, the weakness
and want OF ability in those who conducted
them. Without therefore at present enqur-
ing into the necessity or policy of the war, it
becomes of the last importance to ascertain
whether those who are conducting in the ca
blnet and in the field the present war with
England, possess the abilities, and enjoy the
public confidence SO as to give background
ed hope OF an honorable termination. | shall
present to my readers a few facts and circum-
stances to enable them to form their opinion
on this subject. The evidence shall be prin-
cipally taken from republicans.
AID FIRST, as to Mr.. Madison's qualifications.
His warmest friends have admitted & lament
ed his want of energy and hrmness, & his easy
and tiriid nature, yielding his opinions ard di-
recting his measures, by the advice or under
the influence, OF others often inferior to him.
self in understanding. His first official act
exhibits this character in the strongest light
The selection of the beads of departments,
who are the connsellors of the president, is
one of the most important of his duties, both
as it regards the public good, and his own cha
racter as a statesman. On these does he rely
for advice in all cases of inportance--on these
depend for the faithful execution Of the differ
ent departments of government. Here the
stiinportant measures originate, and thro'
them all are executed. Unless therefore con
hdence and harmony reign IN the cabinet, IN
vain will you look for union and energy
In the measures of the government. Yet III
forming this council, in appointing these great
and important officers, Mr.. Madison suffered
himself to be dictated to by few Senators -
Contrary to his judgment and inclination, a.
gainst his warmest wishes, with a full know
ledge of the want of ability in the person nomi-
mated for the situation, he was persuaded or
intlmldated into a nomination OF Mr.. Smith
as Secretary of State. His best friends Sc
verely lamented and reprobated his conduct in
this respect. 1t is fact of public notorlety
inWashington; and occasioned, what any man
Of sense might have foreseen, personal alter
cation, intrigucs and divisions in the cabinet,
which extended to Congress, and was spread
ing through the party in such a manner as to
make change necessary. How was this
change effected lin manly, open manner!
No; butin the same timid, shrinking way, in
which the appointment was made, and brought
on him the very censure and obloquy, which
he had employed all his timid caution and
fattery to avoid For the proof of this refer
to Mr.. Smiths pamphlet, TO many OF the re-
publican papers, and to the republicans then
in Congress. But Mr. Madison, it is SAID,
has retrieved his character in this respect, and
established one for boldness and decision In
recommending declaration of war. A few
facts will tear this wreath from his brow. 1t
was publicly announced more than twelve
months ago, that war would be declared at the
then ensuing session, unless the orders IN coun-
Gil were revoked and the proclamation Cal
ling Congress, before the constitutional peri
cd, was said to be evidence CT such determi-
nation, By the Republicans. What ought to
have been the preparation for such a crisis :
Every man of plain common sense would say,
that one of the first steps would be, to have all
the forces which the Law then required to be
IN complete readiness, that the government
might direct all its attention to such addition
al measures as Congress should authorize
A farmer about to commence new and i'm
portant improvement, would encleayor to have
all his other work so beforehand, as to be out
ofhis way, that he might direct his principal
force and attention to his new improvement
this is obvious TO the most common capacity.
Yet of the ten thousand men then authorized
by law, and which were considered necessary
for the ordinary duties of peace establish
ment there were only six thousand then in
service. The enlistment of these men before
the meeting Of Congress, would have LETT the
country entirely open for the recruiting of the
new army, would have enabled them to disci-
pline the men to be ready for instant service !;
and the appointment ofthe officers would have
given the department number OF aPpca-
tons and recommendations, which might have
been beneacially used in the first appointments
in the new army. All these things were o.