Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-08-04
FROM THE DELAWARE GAZETTE.

the attention OF the most careless. The I
deplorable insufhciency of our rulers, the
e%gregious Encouragement of the war, and
the disastrous events of its progress, have
opened our eyes to it's consequences, and
have abated, in no small degree, that mad
ness of party spirit which contributed to
the present state of things. The natural
termination of the operations in Europe
have bafied the short sighted calculations
of a misguided administration, and the peo-
pie of this country, after more than two
years privations and f~ruitless suffering. find.
ing themselves at a greater distance from
the ostensible objects of the war than ever,
must now be prepared to reflect upon their
condition in their sober senses.
The most sanguine amongst US begin
now to apprehend that the negociators at
Gottenburgh will neither be able to obtain
the objects OF the war, nor restore us to
peace and 1T may soon be made manifest
TO all, that the present administration,
goaded on by the wild democracy of the
country, have, by a course of infatuated
policy, involved the nation in difficulties
and ADVERTISEMENTS, from which all her
patriotism and resources may only be ade-
quate to redeem her after enduring the e.
wills OF a bloody and protracted war.
This state of things was unforeseen, and
before the fatal resolve was taken TO plunge
our once happy country into the war, the
present rulers were warned of these very
consequences, and implored to guard a.
gainst the evil. The events of every day
are demonstrating with The fitness of meri-
dian light, the soundness of the federal
policy, and clothing with the spirit of pro
phecy, the predictions of the disciples of
Washington; while ON the other hand they
are marking with imbecility and folly the
conduct of their opponents.
The federaiists never denied that Eng
land had done us great and serious injury.
but, on the contrary, always admitted that
we had vital grounds of complaint against
both England and France. They never
pretended that we were wholly without
cause of war with those nations, though
they said, under existing circumstance.
they were insufficient TO justify resort to
hostilities, and therefore opposed a war with
either but If 1t were to be waged with eli
Their, France was the proper enemy, and
for the most obvious reasons.
The federalists opposed the war, because
the nation was unprepared and not in a con-
ditlOn 20 prosecute it with effect because
without the means of carrying it on, it could
only result in disaster and disgrace, with
out accomplishing any one single benefit
because a little delay would in all probabili-
ty, secure for us in che pressure and inter
est of our enemies all the advantages that
could be obtained by a successful war. But
above all, they deprecated it, as driving the |
nation from its neutral ground, and linking,
in a great degree, our own with the desti,
mics of the European world. An unexam-
pied state ofthings existed in Europe and
throughout the world; much uncertainty
hung upon their issue, and the great safety |
for this country amidst so general q calami-
ty, was not to mingle with the conflict, and
be found neutral in the result. Whether
The disposition for war grew out of a sincere
inclination to avenge our wrongs or to graft
fly our hostility TO England, or to aid the
cause OF Bonaparte, so dear to the dominant
party in this country, it exposed as to equal
danger. Once IN war we were no longer
neutral, we could only become SO again by
a total and decisive triumph over all obsta.
Giles, and we became inevitably more or less
subjected to the ambition of the successful
competitors in Europe.
War, however was deemed " indispen-
sible 60 preserve the honor and character
of the nation, :" and our rulers could not be
persuaded to delay it even for a few months.
They were then admonished by federal
policy to make a proper selection of their
enemy, and wage their war against France.
The nation had received injuries of equal
enormity from France. She could do us
the least immediate harm, and in any event
OF the European contest, we should be the
least exposed in a war with her.
IN her strides to universal conquest she
would either overcome the allies or he |
BUNDLED herself If the first, she would
ne less powerful than would England and
TIE aLIes IN the event of a similar result in
'helr FAVOR, and her want of maritime
power would render an invasion of our
country by her eminently hazardous if not