Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1814-03-31

The following remarks are extracted
from the Speech of MIR. Montgomery
from Kentucky, on the Lean Bill. Mr.
Montgomery is one Of the few, amongst
the many who cali themselves Republi-
cans, who are entitled to the name
His political conduct throughout the
session, has been marked by manly in
dependence of party trammels; which,
though is has displeased some amongst
the most violent of the ruling faction !;
has exalted him in the estimation of the
good and great of both parties.
Fearless then, Of the frowns Of any
party, I declare to you that l believe
that whenever the liberties of this nation
are destroyed, it will be done by ma
jority. Party spiri, seems to me to be
growing apace in this couEtry and the
arts of obtaining and perpetuatiDs party
power are fast developing themselves:
to what consequences they will lead, |
Cannot say with certainty. Bat really,
sir, | cannot but indulge in fears that l
will live to see the day when every thing
of sober rational liberty viii be aDoihi-
lated by some majority; when all the
honors and emo!uments OF the nation
will be disposed OF at the whim and Ca
price of iatee, four or Eve of the lead
ers of the msjority: and all these things
will be managed with the forms and in
the name of liberty Hnder the warm.
est professions OF attachment to the
public veal. I cannot fix upon any pre-.
else time for the happening Of this e
vent; but / believe l can give you ma
ny of the signs and when all tho signs
are seen By men of discernment, they
will verify know, thatthe event has come
to pass. When this event happens,
there will be dispersed through this ma.
ton host of hireling editors of news
papers, busily engaged in putting their
employers, and moulding and fashion.
ing public sentiment by deception, to
suit their views. When this event hap
pens, this country will swarm with little
demagogues, whose appropriate bust
ness will be to sound the praise of their
leaders, and misguiae public sentiment;
playing at the same time the part OF sy-
cophants to their leaders aud the de.
ceivers Of the people; looking tor their
reward and willing to be sent here and
wire worked by ths great political Jug.
glers in the way which may best suit
their purposes In those days every
sentiment deemed important by the
leaders, will be made test, an article
of political orthodoxy, and all who will
not assent will be considered as heretics;
it will not be enough, that map is at.
tsched TO toe constitution OF his country
and tina, he has acquired character for
integrity and good sense; he must
praise his leaders; his sentiments must
be in perfect az cordsnce upon all points.
Then will be heard denuDciations a.
gainst all who have not precisely purss-
ed the course marked out; made for
the purpose of whipping in the timid &
crushing the firm. When this crisis
arrives, this Hall, which ought through
all time to be the great watch tower OF
liberty; from which the language OF
the patriot might be heard in the voice
of warning; and from which the rays
Of political truth might be shed abroad.
hv omen. fair and manly discussion, vii,
on favorite occasions be silent as death:
BY the use of the previous question and
upon the ready plea OF the necessity Of
dsspstcbing business, discussion vii
DO silenced; and this Hall present to
the eye college Of silent recorders
Then will the right of all who have IN
dependence Of mind to disaPProve OF
the course Of party however much il
NAV merit II e.nsist Of obedience TO