Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-01-02
From the Boston Gazette.

In the DAYS of John Adams, when war
with France appeared to be approaching, the
federal party made provision tor raising an
army, augmentng the navy and licensing the
armament of merchant vessels, tor the pur-
pose of defence Since that period, it has
been the subject of inccssant complaint among
the tederaists, that while government by its
measures, was fastening the approach of an
open rupture with great Britain, it had re-
nounced the natural and ordinary precautions
against state of war, and neglected to place
it's army, navy and Notifications. upon an es-
tablishmcnt required by the perilous condi-
ton of the country.
The administration now professedly accede
to the propriety of these federal measures.
They propose almost in terms and certainly
in substance, the very measures which con-
stituted the federal policy when Washington
was called to the command OF the army for the
second time.-They adopt the Same expe-
dients which they formerly denounced, and
offer an extorted homage to the wisdom of
their predecessors. Yet such is the effect ct
habitual opposition, that some of the old school
who favored wariike preparations under the
former government, and who have censured
of things, may hesitate to approve Of them,
because they emanate from their political ad-
versaries II the administration were sincere
in pledging the nation to protect and defend
it's commerce, they could offer no higher tri-
butte to federal principles. The triumph
would be perfect Democracy is then con
vert to federalism, SO far as the confession of
sins is an earnest ofrepentance. She is doing
penance in white sheet, and has subscribed
to the original articles, OF our creed. Shall
we then renounce our own principles at the
moment of their adoption by those tor whose
reformation they have been inculcated Shall
we decide that right has become wrong,
because those who have hitherto been obsti-
nate in error, now either think or affect to
think with us upon certain topics? The
path of federalism, like the path of virtue, is
direct and narrow, and one should not go d.
side into slough, because bad company hro-
fess an intention of travelling the same road.
1t is no objection that the avowed intent of the
present warlike appai atus is hostile to nation
with which it is our most anxious wish to
remain at peace. A war induced against the
consen, and in opposition to the policy of the
minority, exposes men of all parties to it's dam
gers and distresses.-Llke other judgments,
it falls upon the just and unjust Agree to
the fact that the country is in danger, and you
cannot Justify an omission to guard against
misfortune because you are innocent of its
cause.
Further, the attitude proposed by the reso-
lutions, is the natural posture for defence,
whenever it becomes necessary, from whate-
yer cause. 1t embraces the resources upon
which all countries not governed by metaphi-
steal statesmen and proclamation warrior. rely
for the vindication of their rights. 1t contem-
plates the practical application of guns and
powder and ball to the protection of maritime
rights and it is point gained, to obtain a
Legislative declaration to this effect. There
is probably but little sincerity in the declara-
ton on the part OF most of those who make it,
but it is we'll enough to take them at their
word. By agreeing with them to organize
these solid, real and natural means of protec
ton, we deprive them of all pretence, FOUND
ed onfederal ohhosition, for persisting in the
present unnatural and intoilerable system Of
restrictions. We leave them without ;us,;.
hcation in the view OF suffering community.
and mend our chance of being rid of it. Nv
leaving administration to pursue it's own
course, they will be compelled either to a.
bandon the present ruinous system Of com.
mercial restrictions, or discover to the whole
people, that War u1ton the Commercial STATES.
IS the on4y war they mean to prosecute.
PHILADELPHIA, December 80.
Brig Agent, of Philadelphia, sailed from