Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-06-19

tion. by precipitating the state govern
nents into lmpoleney and contempt or
prepare the way tor revolution, by a re-
pstition of these infracti0ns, unt1 the
itcofise are roHsed 10 a ear IN the majss-
ty Jfhefr strength. 1t is toavoid these
calamities, that we exhibit to the people,
the momentous question, whether the
constitution of the United States shall
yield to a construction, which defiss e.
very restraint, and ogcrwhelms the best
hopes republlcanisin
"Exortations to disregard domestic
usarpation, unnl foreign danger shall
have past, is an artifice whicn may bel
forever used because the passessofs of
power, WHO are She advocates for its eg-
tension, can ever create national e,nbsr-
fassments, TO be successiyely empioled
to soothe the people, into sleep, whilst
tia, power is swelling, silently, secret
~, aud fatally. OF the same character
are destinations of a foreign in1uenc !,
which seize upon lauda5le Enthusiasm
against danger abroad, and distort it by
an unnatural appheatlon, so as TO blind
yoar eyes against danger at home 2
Those Sediments are unques,ionabIy
correct. They breathe thetrue split
of seamen--the generous feelings OF H.
bcrty. In applying them to the crisis
then before them. the legislature of Vir-
ginia proceeds-,o examine the measures
ut government, particularly the alien s.
sediti9n laws, which they declare to be
UNCONSTITUTIONAL, and dangerous to Ii
berty--Tbey then proceed as follows:
8 LII measures Can mould govern
menls, and ii kaD uncontrolled power Of
construction is surrendered 20 thoss who
administer them, their progress NAV be
easily foreseen, and their end easily fore
told "A lover Of monarchy, who opens
the treasures of corruption, by distrihu,-
Ing emolument among devoted ,partizaps
may at ths same time be approaching
his object, and tlclnding the people with,
professions of rep05ircanisn. He may
confound monarchy and republic anism,
by ,Be az, e dehiriitioaAs ,Ie may sarnisb
over the dexteritY whica snbiticn never
fails TO display, with tho plianry of Ian,
guage, the seddctioti ii expcdiency, or
The pyeildises of the itimes And he
msy cos at length teAvow, that an ex-
,ensive territory as that of the United
States can Only Sc goyerhed ny the ener-
giss Of monarchy; that it cannot be de.
fended, except by standing armies; and
that it cannot be united, except by con.
slidaiIon.
6" Measures have already been adopt
ed, sllich may lead TO these consequent
ces They consist: -
&C In fiscal systems and arrangement,
whieh Keep an host OF commercial aad
wealthy individuals, embodied and ODE
dlcot to Intermediates OF the treasury.
" In armies ard navies, which will on
The onc hand cu!ist the tendency OF ma
nv to pay homaee 10 his fellow creature
" ho can fecd or honor him; and Oh the
other cnploy the principle Of fear, by
puusbiGg imaginary insurrections, an-
der the protest OF preventive justice
= In ain extensive establishment OF
volunteer militia, rallied together by a
political creed, armed. and ofhceredby
executive power, so as to deprive the
states pf their constitutional right'to ap
point militia ofliters---and to place the
great bulk of tic people IN detsnceiess
situation.
In swarms OF officers civil and MI
litary, no can incnlcate political tenets
tending 10 consolidation and monarchy,
both by indulgencies and seventies; and
Can &c, as spies over the free exercise OF
human reason.
In destroying, by the Sediuon act,
the responsibility ofpublic servants ana
pubic measures to the people, thus re-
troeadng towards the exploded doctrine
q that The administrators OF the govern
ment arc the masters and potihe servants
of,,he people, ard exposing America
which acquired the honor OF taking the
lead among nations towards perfectng
political principles, to the disgrace OF
returning first TO ancient ignorance ana
barbarism.
In exercising power of dePrlvlng
norton of the peoples of that represeh-
,aiion in Congress bestowed by the con-
stitution.
ain the alteration and efforts OF some,
known to be rooted in enmity to rePno-
l:ean government, ,applandipe and sup
porting measures by every continuance
calculated to take advantage OF the pub
he confidence, which is allowed to be
ingenious, bat will be fatally injurious.
&c In transferring to the exeeutlse'
importan, Legislative powers; paftice,
larly The power of raising armies; ana
borrowing money without ilmitA'i0h %
| interest. 49,
SIN, restraining the freedom OF me
press, aud investigating the sxeeu',ys
| with legislative, executive and Jeo'eisi
powers, over numerous BODY OF 'Ae"'