The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1814-02-14


position both innocent and useful Opposition simply
implies contrariety Of opinion and when used in the
ABSTRACT IL admitted neither praise
not be said TO be either good bad-usefpl or PERM.
cious is not from itself but from connected Cir
cunsances that it drives its character. When ii is
smpythe result OF that diversity in the
intellect which conducts to different conclusions on the
same subject and is confined within those bounds which
love OF country and political hones ty prescrbe it is one
OF me most useful guardians of liberty excitcs gen.
tie collision, prompts due vigsnce quality so inds-
Pehsaoe and at the same time, opposite nature
and results IN the establishment of enlightened poIf-
~ and useful laws. Such its qualities when united
WIN patriotism and moderation But in many instances,
IL assumes tar different character. Combined with
faction and ambition, it bursts limits within which
1t may usefuy act, and becomes the first OF political
svis. H. sir the gentemer the other side of tho
house. intended include ,hsast species opposition,
as ne was warranted infer from their expression,
they spoke OF Its harmless character then have they
made an assertion direct contradiction to reason ex.
Psence and all history factious opposition is COM
pounded oil such elements, that rejecting man will
ever consider as harmless The fercest and most un-
goveFnablc passions OF na,ure-aInbon pride RE
VARY aud bate, into dangerous composition
s'' more so e Its power of delusion, by which
us Pioects against government i'm most ns
stances even TO the eyes of its Victims by tho specious
snow Oh patriotism Thus constituted, who can esti.
mate lis force Where bene violent and social feel
Ss DC iouhd suiclentv strong to counterfeit its pro
Bress! Is love OF counrya Alas the attachment
TO fary becomes stronger than that country a
acous opposition sickens the sight prosperity
ana success OF the country Common adversely It's
iie--genera prosperity its death. Nor is it only over
our vlrtuous sentiments that bane OF free dom tr
Lnphs Even the selfish passions of our nature, plant.
ed IN bosom for individual safcty afford no OH
sace to lis progress 1t is this opposition which gem
en'en cali harmless, and with much respect
1t is this moral treason, to the language of his friend
so' ehn str Sfnetr which has in ali ages sad coun
tses ever Proved the deadly foe to freedom Nor
lsHthen OILY dangerous when it breaks forth open
treason ana rebellion Without violence it ia
capable In thousand ways, couneract and deaden all
tue motions OF government to render its policy waver.
ing and TO compel 10 submit to schemes of aeeran:
q rpOre
anoe IS determined to render it feeble nefecu
al. Do gentlemen ask for instances UnhappiIy thcv
too numerous Where shall they not be found Adj
mred and lamenied republics of antiquity Athens, Car
thage and Rome, you the victims and witnesses Of
the fell spirit of factions opposition Fatal fields of "a.
ma and Cherona, you its destructive craely
What is the history OF Pobius, and that of the other
historians of the free of Antiquity What the no.
ltica speeches. Of Cicero and oratons of Demos,
themes those models OF eoauence and wisdom but va.
tunes OF evidence attesng that an opposition founded
In faction unrestrancd by moderation & regard 10 the
general welfare is the most da gcrous of political evils
Nor does antiquity alone testify The history modern
times is pregnant with examples. What, he would ask
have become of the free of modern Italy which
once hourisned IN wealth and power Florence, Genoa,
Venice, and many others What Of the United Pro.
vnses OF Switzerland Cone persisted under the dead
y fpccs OF opposition. Even England, with her deem
rooted and powerful executive has not been free frsn
Its pernicios effect What arrested the war of Mari
borough when France humbled that had i, been
continued Europe might have been free from the danger
which she has experienced from that powerl VIVA,
genius and power the throne of the Bourbons trembled
to It's centre The spirit Of factous oppos,ionthat
common cause OF calamity, that without which, liberty
might be eternal, and free states Irresistible
Ourlcountry as young she is also has her EXAMPLES
In the war OF the revolution, had she been united to
man--had there been no apoogists of opposition-had
opposed his will the general deternin,,io,
would the enemy ever have had hold in our country
would that contest have lasted for year. or would we
have Deen indebted to foreign aid for the establishment
of independence Even in this war how much Rs
1t debilitated the energies of country The gentle
man from New Hampshire, who spoke with ingenuity
nadas would be reduced in thirty days and that in con-
sequence OF our disasters sprpging rom our divisions
we had been disgraced What could he say on the
fatal effect OF opposition Mr. appealed that gentle,
man tc state the of divisions and would ask
him, whether, with the certain knowledge Of its permit
cious effect every that could excite opposition
had not been increasingly applied To obyiate the patur
al conclusions the gentleman from New HAMPSHIRE was
compelled TO deny, that the party in power mae
Jorty 10 this country and contend that the represent