Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-02-27
GRAFTON.
Nh Friends q Feiiosv
CSantrymen,

Nh Friends S FeIoS9
= Ctansrymen,
In an age so portentous
"a that in which We live, at time SO
fertile in wonderful and unparalleled e.
vents, when the moral and political re-
la,iobs Of the most ancient and deeply
rooted empires are dissolsing. S scarce
u the elements Of what they were re-
main, it becomes duty of peculiar mo-
ment, in all who cherish lively and
heartfelt in,erss, in their coun;ry's vel
fare, Tot only TO cast forward an anxious
glance towards approaching events, but
TO be continually watchful Of the times
for they are pregnant with much evil;
no, to slumb-r and sleep in fatal and in.
fatuated security, when empires, king
doms and republics, pspulous wealthy,
and powerful, have from their tounda-
tions been rased in rapid succession, and
in one general: undistisgaished ruin
sunk and overwhelmed.
How replete is the history OF our own
times with useful knowledge 20 the phi
losopher and the statesman How Ste
rile aad Improbable, in the lessons OF
political wisdom, are the heightened re-
cords of preceding centuries when COM
pared with faithful narrative of the pre-
sent age ! Who can take retrospect OF
the past few years without the mixed
emotions of wonder aud OF horror. Who
without dread and apprehension can
contemplate The future
If there ever was period in which
those who administer human affairs were
perplexed and coufonnded in their po.
icy; when all their wisdom is but fool
i.hness, and all their intelligence but
darkness ; if there ever was a time which
needed wisdom, almost celestial and
virtue incorruptibls, that crisis, my
friends and countrymen, is the present.
The va,ious alterations, and revolu-
tons Of empires and states, their pro-
press from the imbecility of youth to
the vigor aud power of manhood, their
subsequent decline, which seems to in
dicate the pressure of years, and lastly
their dissolution, afford to contempla
tive mind, a subject Of interesting and
profound speculation.
If it be conceded that nations, like the
individuals who compose them, advance
from youth to maturity, and like men
hare their appointed periods of final dis
solution, it is nevertheless cur duty, and
a duty of the most Imperative nature,
to use our best endeavors that this Pc
Rod shall not be anticipated. 10 guard
against the eff2crs OF those complaints
and diseases incident TO the peculiar
constitution of our nation, and by vigil
liant attention to its healthy or disorder
ed action, to be speedy in the apPlica-
ton of the required remedies.
II it b. not pursuing the analogy, too
far, The existence of nation, like that
of man, is forced state, and its pre-
sersation essentially depends upon the
judicious administrator of such excite
msnts as keep The action Of all its parts
in healthy and vigorous state. In or.
der 10 effect this great and desirable end,
it is .bso,utciy necessary that we should /
be acquitted in the detail with the ge-
Mus, and nature Gifts original coneorma.
tioa, with the principles and msxins
upon which i, was founded, and with
the Object. it especially contemplated:
for as the Duke Of Sally Justly observes
" we may be assured an awful changeis
at hand, when We see state conducted
by measures contrary to those made use
ofin IFS first foundation"
If We revert to the period when the
assembled virtue, wisdom, and intc!,i-
eeace Of this nation, raised from confas-
ca elements and chaos, into beautiful
aud harmonious system, thas admirable
Constitution and form of government,
under which ", i've; if We investigate
the principles upon which it was estab.
iished, and the objects il particularly bad
In REV. we shall end that the mainte-
nance Of religion, and good morals; !ge.
neral and Ia; .aartiai protection of the IN
Dc-ests of svcry sectien OF the union;
prcpasa alton for defensf0e war !; freedom
from foreign influence and alliance ho-
neat end impartial Degociat;an love of |
SAKE. encouragement of commerce and (,
,s arts and telsnces furtherance Of