Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-03-05
Conducting It to a.ueeessIal termina

aoSeinS ~ W &sucSSes'ut t1Inluas
ton.
May we not cherish this sentiment,
without presumption, when we reflect
on the characters by which this war is
distinguished!
Il VAS not declared on the part of the
United States, until it had beea long
made on them, in reality, though not in
name; until arguments and expostala-
tions had been exhausted; until a posi-
tive declaration had been received, that
the wrengs provoking it would not be
discontinued; nor until this last appeal
could no longer be delayed, without
breaking down the spirit of the nation,
destroying all confidence in itself and in
its political institutions and either per-
petaating state of disgraceful suffer-
ing, or regaining, by more costly sacri
fees and more severe struggles, our
lost rank and respect among independ-
eut powers.
On the issue of the war are staked
our national sovereignty on the high
seas, and the security of an important
class Of citizens, whose occupations give
the proper value to those Of every O.
tber class Not to contc;.d for such
stake, is to surrender our equality with
other powers, on the element common
to all and to violate the sacred tile,
which every member of the society has
70 It's protection l need not call Into
view the unlawfulness Of the practice,
by which our mariners are forced. al
the will of every cruising officer from
their own vessels into foreign ones, nor
paint the outrages inseparabie from it
The proofs are in the records OF each
successive administration Of our 60
vernment and tie cruel suiferings Of
that portion of the American people
have found their way to every bosom
not dead to the sympathies of human ma
ture.
As the war was just in its origin, and
necessary ard noble in its objects, we
can reflect with a proud satisfaction,
that, in. carving it on, no principle Ut
Justice or honor, no usage of civilized
nations, no precept of courtesy or hu-
mainly have been iniringed. The war
has been waged on our part, with scru
pulous regard to al these obligations,
and in a spirit of libera!ity which was
never surpassed
Hsw little has been the effect Of this
example Oh the conduct of the enemy
They have retained as prisoners of
war citizens of the United States, not
liable to be so considered under the u,
ssges Of war,
They have refu>ed to consider as
prisoners Of war, and Threatened to
punish as traitors and deserters, per-
SONS em'gc ating without restraint to
the Unned States incorporated by ma
,ural z,tion into our political family,
aud fighting under the authority OF their
adopted country, in open and honorable
var, for the maintenance OF its rights
and safety Such is the avowed pur-
pose of government, which is IN the
practice Of na'ura!izing, by thousands,
ci,izcns OF other countries, and not on
IL of permitting but compelling them to
fight its battles egalnst their native
country.
They have not it is true, taken into
their own hands the Ratchet and the
knife, devoted to lEdiscriminate masss.
ere; but they have let loose the savage,
armed Win these cruel instruments;
have xllu:cd thcm i'.to their service.
and Carried them TO battle by thc!'
sides, eager to glut their savage thirst
with The blood If the vshsulshed, and
to finish the work of torture and death
on manned ard deienceies> cepti'es,
And what was never before seen, BIZ
fish commanders have ex,orted victory
over the unconquerable valor OF our
troops, by presenting to the sympathy
Of their chief awaiting massacre IRON
their savage associates.
And now we find them, in further
contempt Of the modes of honorable
warfare, supplying the place OF con-
ouerirg force, BY attempts to diso'-
game our political society. 70 dlsme m-
Der our confedera,ed Republic. Hep-
pijy. like others, these will 'ecoh
on the authors: but they mark the dc
generate councils from which they en-
sns,e:. and if they did not belong 70
series of unexampled Inconsistencies
might excite the greater wonder "a,
proceeding from government which
founded the very war In which II has
been SC long engaged, on charge
against the disorsanizmg and insu'-
regional policy Of its adversary.
To render the Justice OF the war On
our pa., the more conspicuous, the re- ,
Inc,ance TO commence it was followed
by he earliest and strongest manifesto
tioas Of disposition TO arrest its pro,
,.ress, The sword vas scarcely out OF
-. ..hbsrd before the enemy was