Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-04-15

and a, present is, that the war then was
waged against France, now it is "ageo
against England. Then federalists were
the war spirits, now republicans so Call
ed) have slept into their principles'--
With the people these distinctions can
make no difference, the effects on them
will be the same, whatever party make
the war or whatever nation may De our
enemy. The war was then opposed Oh
the very same grouud that have op-
posed this; it was considered .ncom-
patible with our tree institutions, and the
real interest Of our people unless Inc
country should be invaded.
II has been asserted that / have cnahg-
ed my political PRINCIPLES, and that the
people have been disappointed in NE
Without noticing the modesfy OF 'hose
who assume to themselves the r'Sht 10
speak for the whoie people OF the ois'
trict, must be permitted to say that the
assertion is wholly destitute OF truth l
have indeed changed nay opinions 81
men: but have not, and hope neVe'
shall change my opinion of measures
and principles. / came into political
life about the close of Mr.. Adams's,ad.
ministration, as it was well understood
by those whose confidence received,
inHexibly opposed to all the leading
measures of that administration. What
were they? War! Armies! Taxes
Loans Multiplication of Offices and
officers! Executive patronage! Sedltlon
laws! In 1909, when / was elected to
congress l dec Jared in written address
my devotion to peace and my emily
to war and all its parapbarnalia. What
arc my opinions now? Am | the TREND
of war of armies Of raxes I? OF loans
of executive patronage of feeding a
host OF officers on the hard earnings OF
the people of principles calculated to
suppress enquiry and tbs diffusion oil
public sentiment? No! | am their enc
nv more than ever, because the magnl'
tude of these evils is increased beyond
comparison. Where then is the eUi-
6ence Or my ChdnSc
l have thus given you candid view
of cur situation and of my sentiments
connected with it. / have not written
for the ambitious few who claim kind
of hereditary right 10 every thing IKE
influence and power in the district, Tor
it would be yain-like Hannah, they ne.
yer will be content as long as Mordecal
stands in their way, refusing to doao and
do them reverence. / have not written
for officers, or office hunters, for 1t
would be vain to attempt to convince
them that the rays OF sunshine III when
they bask, will scsrch the country ana
produce dearth and famine. do not
write for those who expect to further
their fortunes by the war, for they would
turn deaf ear to the distresses 1t may
produce in their avidity to calculate the
dollars and cents It may pnt into their
pockets. write for different class OF
men; for those who have no interest Sc
parate from, and no inclination opposed
to the real welfare of their country
whose industry gains them bread, and
whose virtues gain them the esteem OF
all the good and the worthy. To them
address myself To them | propose
Continuance in my present situation,
should they approve of my past conduct.
l can promise them little more than an
undertaking attachment to those prlncl-
pies on which the liberties OF the coun-
try depend. That will use every effort
to rescue this nation from the ruinous
destiny which is impending-To obtain
an honorable and speedy peace, and IN
the mean time provide all necessary
means of defence against every enemy
that may approach our soil-To contrl-
butte, TO perpetuate the blessings which
the blood of the revolution achieved,
and which Heaven has so beautifully
bestowed on US. IF | can aid in secur-
ing any Of these objects, my ambition Is
gratihed.
d. SHEFFEY.