Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-01-31
sury may have heretofore discovered, his enc

mics cannon accuse hiIn III Ills AdtC ISPo' : VI
shrinking from the duties and responsibilities
of his Office. He has met the call of the com.
mittee Of ways and means with frmness, With
frankness and with candor. And though some
accuse him of having exposed the nakedness
Of his country to her enemies, that's mos
unjust charge. He on the contrary has IN
folded the solid yigor of our resources, which
are yet adequate, Notwithstanding all the un
wise, and wasting measures OF our late
nolicv. to meet most arduous and difficult
war. Those who suppose that we can wage
war against the most formidable nation OF
the world as to us, without sacrifices and pri-
vations, without additional burthens and taxes,
have formed strange ideas OF such an under
taking. Norris it any disgrace to Mr.. Gala
tin that he has recommended those modes of
raising revenue, which had occurred before
70 Hamilton and Wolcot. In similar exigen-
cies great minds are apt to resort to the same
xpediep,s-and ifMr. Gallatin had rejected
the most easy and convenient modes OF taxa
ton, merely because they had been recon-
mended by his predecessors IN otflce' he would
have displayed frivolous mind unworthy OF
the high station which he fills. But he has
looked boldly at the impending dangers-he
has not suffered himself to doubt Of the tlrm-
ness, the patience * willingness OF his fellow
citizens to make the necessary sacrlhces---and
he has selected the most proper objects OF
TAXATION. ..-He has provided funds sufficient 10
uyhold the public credit under the most try
inc, circumstances. And if the nation approve
the war, they cannot disapprovc the means
which he has proposed of raising the necessa-
rv revenue. If instead of the embargo such
an army as has been now voted, had been rais-
ed four wears apo---had such a system OF re-
venue been then adopted, We should not now
have to deplore our present dlsgrace---the
,oss of our commerce---the loss OF our reve-
nne..-the general distress which pervades the
mercantile class of our citizens, and the uni
vars,, alarm and walt of confidence spread
fbrough the community. iii be possible to
avoid war, we can only do it by adopting the
report of Mr.. Gallatin, and by the frank con-
tr;butions of the citizens of Unnecessary sup
plies to support it. When such frin and
animated front shall be exhibited to the ma
tons of Europe, they will then oesih 70
fear and respect US. And fearing and re-
specting us---our rights will no longer be
violated, and our government condemned. II
will be vain to vote an army unless with that
vote you exhibit ample means OF supporting
and supplying that army. Whether the con-
,templated war be just or unjust, whether II
be necessary or unnecessary, whether II oe
polite or ilnpelitic, being determined on oy
the nation, it becomes the people TO meet 1t
with united vigor and united efforts Every
generous citizen, while his country is In dan
ger will suppress personal ambition and party
resentment, until she be again relieved from
her difficulties. And if the present danger
shall produce more union, more just views OF
national policy, and more stable and efiica-
cious system of defence and of revenue
whatever temporary sufferings We may en-
| du1e, in the end our country may derive great
and permanent benefit mthe impending crl'
sis. But while we ardently desire to behold
every citizen, whatever his private opinions
may be, cheerfully obeying the mandates OF
, the government of his choice, and contrlbut'
J ing The money which it requires for the pub.