Winchester gazette. [volume] (Winchester, Va.) 18??-1826, 1814-02-26
/ lions, aud OF measures by their conse

imputations upon those who are oppos-
ed to the policy If the spvernment, 10
check their freedom Of enquiry, discus
sion and debate, such purpose is also
incapable Of being executed. That op-
position is constitutional and legal. It
is also Conscientious. II rests in set
tied and sober conviction, that such
policy is destructive to the interests Of
the people. and dangerous to the being
OF The government. Tho experience
of every day confirms these sentiments.
Men who ctfrom such motives are
not to be discouraged by trifiing obsta-
cies, nor awed by any danger. They
know the LIMIT Of constitutional oppo-
siGoh--up to that limit, at their own
discretion, they will walk, and walk
feariessly. If they should End, in the
history Of their country, precedent
for going over, / trust they will not
follow it. They arc notof a school,
Ia which instruction j. taught as
virtue They will moi seek promotion
throzgh-, the patha Of sedisi.a, nor
quality themselves to serve their cauu-.
try in any Of the high departments q
its government, by making rebellion
the first element in their political sci
euce.
Important, as deem it, TO discuss.
on all proper occasions, the policy Of
the measures atpresent pursued, it IS
still more Important 10 maintain the
right G.. such discussion, in its full and
inst extent. Sentiments lately sprung
up, and now growing fashionable, make
it necessary to be explicit OH this point,
The more perceive disposition to
cheek the freedom of enquiry by ex-
trayagant and unconstitutional pre-
fences, the frmer shall be the tone, in
which shall assert, and the freer
the manner in which l shallexercise it.
1T is the ancient and undoubted prero-
Satiye Of this people 10 canvass public
measures and themerits of pablo men.
Tits 'ihome- bred right fire-side
privilege. Ithath ever been ENJOYED
in every house, cottage and cabin In
the nation. 1t is not to be drawn int
controversy. tits an undoubted asth,
right Of threathing the air, or walking
ON the earth. Belonging to private
life as a right, # belongs to public life
as duty : and it is the last duty.
which those whose representative am
shall find me to abandon. Aiming at
all times to be courteous and temperate
IN its use, except when the right itself
shall be questioned, shall then carry
1t to its extent. shall then place my
self on the extreme hauAaary of my
right, and bid defiance to any, arm.
THAI world move me Iron, my gro 4oa-,
his high constitutional privilege, l
shall defend and exercise within This
House, and without this House, and
in all places in time of war. in time
Of peace, and at all times. Living l
shall assert, dying shall assert it, &
should leave no other inheritance to
my children, by the blessing of God ]
will still leave them the inheritance OF
free principles, and the example of a
manly, independent and constitution
al defence OF them.
Whoever, sir, would discover Tie
causes, which have produced the pre-
sent state of things, must look for them
not in the efforts of opposition, bat in
the nature of the war, in which we are
engaged, and in the manner in which
its professed objects have been attempt
ed to be obtain. Quite too small por-
ton of public opinion was in favor
of the war, TO justify it, originally. A
much smaller portion is in favor oftlie
mode In which it has been conducted.
This is the radical in6rmity. PUBLIC
opinion, strong and united, is not with
you, in your Canada project. Whether
1t ought to be, or ought not to be, the
fact that il is not, should, by this time,
he evident 70 all and il is the business
OF practical statesmen to act upon the
state of things as tits, aud not to be
always attempting to prove what it
ought to be. The acquisition of that
country is not an object geRerally de-
sired by The people. Some gentlemen,
indeed. say j! is their ultimate OBJ
icct and that they wish il only as the
means Of effeciing other purposes. But
sir, large portion Of the people believe
that desire for the conquest and final
retention OF Canada is the main prins
ofpublic measures. Nor is the opini-
on without GROUND. 1t has Been dis
tinctly avowed, by pabhc men, in
public manner. And ifthis be net the
object, il is not easy TO see the cpnDec-
lion between Your means and ends. At
least that portion Of the people, that is
not in the habit Of refining far, cannot
see It. You are, you say, at war for