Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-04-21
FROM THE FEDERAL GAZETTE.

country. we congratulate lheD on tbs
important point gained in our national poll
cy. We have, it is true, suffered n.ued
aud what is peculiarly aggravatins, our sui.
ferings have proceeded from the ignorance
and folly OF our rulers. We have groaned
un der system of measures designed to co.
cree our enemies, but which, in effect.
have only scourged ourselves. EAperlen,s
is often dear school, but it is the only
school in which the prejudiced and the per-
verse can be taught true wisdom. We as
length see this wretched system abandoned
by It's authors, as inefficient towards our
enemies, and calculated only to Cypress,
ourselves.
This important point gained in our ma.
tiona policy, is a cause for national rejoic-
ing equal to the most splendid victory gain
ed over our enemies. THIS system,
has been chief corner stone of difference
of opinion between the two great political
parties in our country.
The federalists have uniformly and per
petually opposed it as inefficient tow ards our
enemies and oppressive to ourselves. Whe-
Their the authors of this system conceived it
in weakness or in wckedness, is not for us
to say, but she democratic party have ad-
hered to it with tenacity OF opinion and
yea of perseverance, which we cannot but
believe, with great numbers OF them, pro-
ceeded from conviction OF its wisdom and
efficiency Experience has proved that tie
federal policy was the true and correct one,
and sitho' the democrats have yielded the
point with reluctance, yet we trust the time
is not far distant when all parties will point
to the restrictive system as monument of
folly--as beacon to be avoided by every
political navigator Nay. it would not be
more surprising than some other occurren-
ces within the last two years have been, If
the democrats should become its most vio-
lent oppugners, and claim to themselves
the credit of having exposed its folly and
saved the nation fgom its disastrous influ-
ence.
The democratic party have never been
more Jealous in supporting embargoes than
they have been stubborn and determined
in opposing a NAVY, till within the two
last years but when experience has proved
the utility Of a navy, and the extreme folly
oftheir opposition to it, they suddenly face
about and become in profession its warmest
advocates, and denounce the federalists as
unfriendly to it. The like conduct with
respect to the restrictive system, would not
be more extraordinary. 1t is a fact which
the most cursory reviewer of our political
history, must acknowledge, that expert
ence has stamped aoisdom on all the impor-
tant measures of the federal policy, which
the democrats most violently opposed,
while it has stamped folly on all the i'm
portant measures of democratic policy
which the federalists have opposed. The
tederalists were the founders and have been
uniform supporters of navy Till within
the last two years a navy has been the
" perpetual scorn" of a vast maj ority of the
democratic party, They represented it as
a big -bellied monster" which was to con
sumo all our substance, and overwheI.n
US with national debt, as navy already
has done England. No eloouence, no rea-
soning could satisfy them ofits utility.
A NATIONAL BANK, is another mea-
sure of federal policy, which has met with
the most violent opposition from the demo
Gratis. AS would dwarf with Hercules,
SO did Mr.. Jefferson contend with General
Hamilton against National Bank. But
experience has proved the utility and even
arts OF sophistry cannot find a constitutions
ai ooJoctoh 10 estaDiisnlnS one.
Al one period the GUN BOAT system,
OF national defence was the favorite of de-.
mocracy. The federal party opposed it as
expensive inefficient and ridiculous Tx
perlence has proved,i it was more ridiculous
than the tederalists represented it.
free unshackled COMMERCE. we'll
protected, may be said to be the great
leading featuse of federal policy. A shack
led and an unprotected commerce, may be
SAID to be the hobby horse of democracy
from the period of Mr. Madisons famous
resolutions until his last message to Con
gress. But experience has at length proved
even to the satisfaction of the leaders OF 0e
mocracy, that the present Is emphaticaliy,
commercial age" and that " the benefits
ana blessings OF commerce have at all times
had powerful influence on civilized soeie-
At Z.