Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-08-04

ed 10 the choice OF ElecloTS oi ie9iaeht @iiu
/ Vice Presidebt--members OF Congress, and
a,,r own state officers. Never could call be
made upon us more solemnly to UNITE; not
/ to A PPROVE, carry on, and iltiamc this I'M
nolitic and rashly declared Uar but to unite
! in adding to cur public councils faithful adyo-
| Gates Of Peace, Commerce and Agriculture {;
/ men who are not pledged by their previous
! conducJpassons, andinterests OF office, to per-
severe III an injurious and uncertain warfare
! Men who will Join with those now III etfice and
! friendly to peace in lis restoration. Happy
for our country, if majority is attained IN
!, the public departments, who may be disposed
+ to Yeteal the war act, in the next Congress,
our disputes with Great. Britain, which are
nothing in the scale against peace, may be
quickly and honorable adjusted, not by the
SWORD, as is now preferred, but through
the agency of mutual interests and friendly
negotiation.
Il is amazing that few men, capable of
turning the majority either way, should in such
state of unpreparcdness, with divided coun-
CHS, divided country and against the declar-
sd and solemn remonstfances Of the people,
have cast their votes on the side OF involving
those states in the horrors, uncertainty and
burthens of War.
In conducting our measures to obtain a
change Of coGncils, this CONVENTION
feel it their duty to declare, they ought to be
temperate, well weighed and firm lit is not
a time for the true friends of their country to
shrink from their duty. This is no question of
small concern. 1t must and should call to
its aid, the sober thought, the rejecting ludg-
81, 6
independent electors and citizens Of New Jer-
sey, no matter of what party. 1t is their pr-
yiledge, and great security, when GREY
ANCES occur, TO redress them by a CHANGE
OF MEN AND MEASURES.
This is the remedy at hand to US, on this
trying occasion-and like men and brethren
LET Us lay hold OF it.
That War Party is organized, who will
stimulate the passions of the people, by
appeals to their power and prowess, and by
exciting prejudice against those who perceive
The necessity If changing our public councils,
already but 100 evident.
This convc4tlon is aware of the frequency
and effect Of thus operating on the pu9llc
nind: But tbeit confidence rests on the final
good sense aud Judgment of wise and dis
'cerning people. They viii look to the men
aid the frmcihle8--to the reasons which
should have most weight and above all their
own solid reflections on the nature, evils and
lucertaintta OF War, will we trust, lead to
right conclusion, even though some OF them
may entertain resentments Justly toward
England.
Even those who are forwar, 5, who shall take
such means to succeed III continuing it, are yel
entit!edto the rights of free opinions & free sui
tfrage. On the other hand, this Convention feel
It due to the great body of their fellow citizens,
whom they represent, and who are opposed to
this war-of all par,ies-to assert and MAINTAIN
in their behalf, the great RIGHTS OLA FREE
PRESS FREE SPEECH and OPINIONS
and OF FREE SUFFRAGE These are the
bulsyQrks uf liberty: Bad laws, and misguided
councils. measures most fatal to the best III
terests of society, would proceed and be ex-
ccuted with high handed oppression-thcv
could never be changed-if force-tevror-&
mcnaces could Lawful ly be employed to silence
complaint, and hide the peoples interests and
dangers from their view: Every man in So
country, publicly to examine the policy and
tendencies of any law to obey it while in
force but ifhe deems it pernicious to state
every objection to it, which exists, and every
evil consequence which may flow from its con-
tinuance, in order to obtain its reheal, by elect
ing men who will repeal it Especially is it
the duty of every man, who is convinced that
law declaring zvar, is most impolitic and win,
if continued, ruin, or so far to ruin the coun-
try, to lift his voice on the side of peace and of
repeal. Should, therefore, any man or sc.
of men, be so lost to decency, and so inim-
ical to the liberties of speech, of the press, s.
of suffrage, as to attempt to overawe the peo-
ple-by menaces, by terror, under the pre-
texts so often used to slillc truth, that they
are traitors, tories, and enemies--because they
advocate change OF rulers and repeal of a law