Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-07-23

possession and power of.the nation against
which war is declared war, whose hrst, fu-
ture and certain effects will be to impove2lsh
the eastern and navigating states, who Will be
compelled to bear its principal burdens, aud
great majority of whose representatives voted
against it; and whereas the inhabitants OF this
town and vicinity, from reluctance to coun-
tenance belief that they are ofTiclously dis
posed unduly to influence their fellow citizens,
and promote any of the incaiculable conse-
quences which often result from the indigna-
ton of free and injured people, whose IN
terests are betrayed by their public servants;
"a belief which has been studiously and wick
edly inculcated by men high in Office In the ma
tional and state governments, have since the
declaration of war, abstalned from any public
declaration of their sentiments, under the con-
yiction that sense Of interest and duty would
lead the good people of other towns and coun-
ties to afford them an example which, they
might with propriety follow; but the friends
of administration and OF war, not satisfied with
this fOrbearance have endeavored 10 procure
an expression of appreciation from their de-
luded followers, in this and other states, which
is calculated to exhibit deceptive standard
Of hu6Hc opinion, & encourage perseverance
in their destructive measures, and thus have
made it cur duty, as far as in us lies, to coun-
teract the tendency Of such gross deception
Therefore,
Resolved, as the opinion of the citizens as
semblcd in this place, that while we acknow-
dye the constitutional power OF Congress to
declare wal, and the duty OF the citizen to ab-
stain from forclble resistance 10 such mea-
sure E; vet we do not surrender, but on the
contrary will rlaIntsin at every hazard, the
right secured to us by our state constitution,
of peaceabiy expressing our opinions either
as Individual ciuzens, or In collective body,
on that series Of disastrous measures, which
for years past has been tending towards, and
has at last terminated in the most distressing
oil national evils, War; war Waged against
people nobly strug Cling tor the maintenance
Of thtir OWN treedola and that OF other nations,
endangered by the audulent, sansulnary and
impou, assault OF the greatest hlIIltary tyrant,
and the most determined enemy to free gS-
vernment, by whom the world has eyer been
scourged.
Resolved, That we assert the right, and
that we viii exercise it, to deprccate this war,
20 explain its causes ana consequences, so that
the voice of this great people may rise up d
gainst lis authors, III tone which snail convince
all who abuse the trust CO Hmltted 10 them by
the people, that their day oil accounts at hand,
and that they must eXpiae the offence OF dts-
troying the pubic property; and Jeopardiz-
ing the government and union OF these States,
by the neglect, contempt and indignation oil
that portion Of the people which has fallen
victims to their misplaced confidence.
Resolved, That the declaration OF war un-
der existing circumstances, is sincerely to be
deprecated, as it tends to impair the attach
mept of he people TO The Union Of these States
and thus to endanger its existence, by sacrih-
cling the interests and prosperity of one por-
ton of them, to CRAFTY tic pride, resentment
and mistaken policy OF another.
Resolved, That IN free government it is
at all times the right, and in seasons Of public
calamity, it is the solemn duty of every cstizen
freely to communicate his opinions upon the
measures OF the government, and upon the
motives of the men who administer 1t, 10 the
end that those measures and motives may be
universally known and m0y be duly weighed
and considered when the people are called up
on TO exercise tie right OF suffrage : and that
we will therefore dlsCountenanCe all attempts
to check the freedom OF speech and otthe press,
and that we will with heart and hand rally
round and support ali those who may, 10y ANY
combination OF men whatsoever) be menaced
with injury to their persons or property, tor
the independent exercise Of their natural and
constitutional rights, and that we will preserve
the peace and tranquility OF this town and sup
press every riotous or unlawful assembly
which may by night or by day, be collected fer
the purpose of restraining any man from the
expression or injuriny him for the promulga-
ton, OF sentiments and opinions which he may
lawfully declare and publish
Resolved, That the appearance of armed
men in the peaceable constitutional and civil
assemblies of the citizens, whether the said
armed Dersons are In the pav of the govern