Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1814-03-08
Frem the Boston Paltadiac'.
LETTER FROM Mr.. DEXTER

Z man. standing as candidate for ofhee,
should address the electors. II the
sobscriber had consented to being plac-
ed in that situation, this rule would
h;aa hin 20 silence. Though ha an
swered while at homo, that he was 40,
candidate Tor Office, republican newspa-
pc.s in tbs vicinity of the seat OF CO.
sernment, where be now is, have pub
lished an opposite statement.
This singular state of tnioss seems to
require an explanation. In Psrfosmiag
this duty, he may dissent from saase Ia
Yerite doctrines ard measures OF men
high in influence aad respsetabtity IN
bu.h the political parties that now al
vide the couatry. Candid men viii ao'
anriArte ,his 10 any Indirect or unworthy
motiys; the others, when their inteiiec-
tuai epic, are stimulated BY passion, or
:, darkened by prejudice, will see some
nsisshievoas purpose IN mere attempt
70 be Understood in his own conduct, &
&c explain hi. objections to that OF O.
tiers.
Hopeless indeed would be an eRortto
acquire Influence by pursuing course
nTepsiye 20 the leaders Of both .he par
: ti.s that conyalse The nation Snch &C
tive spirits have both power and lncii"a-
ton 10 diminisn any nam IN pubic esu-
nation who opposes TIE projects OF their
ambition, While the natiye rs 'nerfi4 OF
real pa;-ioiisla prevents snpPoft IRON
tsose quiet Citizens who agree with him
in opjf'on.
The principal subjects, On which psli-
,icians y, pressu, divide, ere the system
OF restriction on oar commerce, ana the
var with Greet Britain. Onthc former,
the writer differs radically Fror the par
" called Republican. and he chuses they
should know II. AT the same time d
is utterly unable to rccnne,ie same oil
ITO ,eaainy measures OF Federaiists, &c
20 the latter, vith ,he Fundamental pr.n-
cisles of civil society. and the 'ndlspen-
sible duty of every citizeo la all coan'
tiles, hut especially in che American
Republic, TO hold sacred the union OF his
country. II is tsIs opinion probably,
that has produced the singular TACT Of
his ks;og novisatsd fer the hrss once
iu the Commonwealth BY a political par
~ Co which ne doss not belong.
The objections sgainst the restrictive
system which have enverued hts deei-
sion on il, shall be briefly stated, without
stopping TO Offer arguments to prove
them. He believes
l.,. That it overleaps the sounds OF
constitutional power.
2aiY. TIA, il is impossibls 70 exc
cute IL.
s1Iy. That the attempt to do go COR
rno,s US, by destroying the correct ha-
hi,.of our ~ merchants, and rendering per-
jury familiar.
4,hl9, That il would DO ineHeetuai 20
coerce. foreign nations. ifexecu'rd'
s,hir. That IL is unjust and oppressive
to.,be conr,ercisl part OF the cowmu-
nity, as it DESTROYS invaluable interests
which the soverpment is bound to pre-
sect.
ethly. That it completely sacrifices
our ONLY considerable scarce OF revenue,
and induces Us 70 depend on mesgre
sucply from internal tsxa,,on' or 10 ae'
cumuIate an enormous pubic 6eot nv
.o,,s. procured On hard 'erms, which
. yoverpmeny bas no adequate LUNGS 20
reimburse
s. 7,bjy. Thst il aim, fatal blow at our
uuexa,nnled progress in wealth and &C.
neral improvement.
Ifthese objections DC well founded,
none wiA deny that thsy ere sufhcient.
The proof Of them would be too e!aen-
rate fpr the present occasion. q wise
no,icy would not have resorted to an
untried theorv 60 ruinoas and made.
s,n.,e for redres. % the serious aIgrss.
SION, we have suffered frou The bellige-
rent powers Of .Eurore. in tnit view OF
the Success whch had crowned more
n,snanimnus efforts. Washington bs
rnaSin, fira sndtsmPerate remembrance
arninst the first nDcau'yscai important
vio,sti9n OF 5ur na,ionsi rights induced
Grea, Britain to make compensation !:
and enring the administration Of Aaams
me nride of France vas hanb,sd by az
appeal to sFR,s.
Tlis Is the OILY mode which the OK,
merle. CO OF nations points out TO sasfd
>sgainst injury snd insult scesmala'iRg
bs .samissiun until the patient suffering
caun,-s be snnihi,atea o. sns!ased.
On the other hand, when the govern
ment were "kicked into war, the
writer did no,iGccl aiaself at liberty 10
practice intliscritniuate opposition 10
psralyze the public energy by degrading
The resources and magnanimi,y OF our
country, and exaggsralng those OF brl-
tain, TO justify the public enemy 1T
measures that admitted OF 40 excuse, u
!. thus dilninish the chance tor speeds
and b,norab.e peecs, ADD endanger the
union Of the States II is fundamental
IL