Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-05-20

eomiorss Of Es," from officers acting
ander his authority Or, need lname
the author, now not denied, OF the ano-@
nymous letters to the revolutionary ar
my, towards whom, Washington invited
that army +" 10 ertsress theT ~fn'ssf
horror and detestation.
But although it is undeniable that the
enemies OF the living Washington pse
side over our destinies, perhaps nov
.ba, he is dead, they are converts 10 MS
principles. Strange, indeed, If the prin-
.cinles, which in fis day secured oui
,eace, yindicated cur honor, maintained
trapeuili'y at home anu respect abroad
and raised orr country to the highest
pi,ch CT greatness, should be the same
. ..,cip!es, which in our day have lost
our peace, sacrificed our honor, scatter
ed diseord al nome, and made Us the
scorn oil one bslligerent and the sicli'ii
of the othec. 1t cannot pc he san,E
fountains send not forth sweet waters x
bitter
The principle OF Washington, WHICH
lay a. the foundation of his glory S, was
the basis Ct the'bicss'ngs Of his dey "t.s
to Introduce virtue and talent, into llf
, conduct of public affairs The princi-
pie # our present rulers is to Introduce
tools and instruments. With these men
the greai requisite is political subserv'.
ency. THIS single feature is alone ST I'll
cient to aecoupl Tor the whole difference
of our political cor dition. For the pat
ticular, in which that difference consists,
is in fact the corner stone OF the rcpuh-
lican system OF government; the theory
of which rests upon this basis, thlt, III
its result the; virtue and talents of
country shall preside over its dcstinies.
Whichever this falls, and attachment 10
party, or fidelity to chief, Or subser-
viency to a cabal, whensoever, as was
distinctly avowed in the outset of the
power of these men, other conMdera-
tions than y" honesty, capacity * fidell-'
ty TO the constitution" become the c,i-
terons of Office and appointment, the
moral basis of the republic is gone. rs
form may indeed remsin but Its Vital
spirit has fed. The stream OF corrup-
ton, when once it begins to flow in free
country, never retreats to IFS fountain
nor does the spring which feeds it ever
omedry. At Arst, it winds its way
in secrecy and silence. attracting to lis
current only what is light and hollow,
and rotten and fcculent; but soon ga
,haring boldness in its course, it az.
yances with an irresistible torrent, and
sweeps away every honor Of the fsId,
and every mound OF safety.
Whenever the rulers Of a nation be-
come the mere heads ola party, the last
and least consideration win them, istle
good Of the people. How to secure their
power; how. to manage the elections;
who is the ittest tool nho will run the
fastest. go the furthest, and hold out the
longest, for the le st wages Of corruption,
are the only, Inquiries; To give muscle
and durability to their influence is the
single end OF their political ~ stem. For
this British antipathies arc stimulated
For this British injuries are mSgEifed.
For this French affections are cultivated
and Erench iasu'fs and injuries pal!lascd
or concesied. For this we had restric-
ton. For this embargo For this We
have war. For this. war shall be CONT.
'lued. And ifpeece come, iorthis peace
stall be concluded. For unprincipled
ambition in power affects not, eseD pub
lie good, except from corrupt motives.
Need further illustrate the differ.