The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1814-03-14

EDGS TJeTTc0 HefiE9oES Of SevercI towns
against The
WAR AND EMBARGO.
MIR. PRESIDENT,
WHEN this report was FIRST read des-
paired OF composing my spirits or my mus
cles SO far as TO trcat il with seriousness
and decency. There appeared to me
so much liz 1t Of that species OF the ridicu-
lous, which critics describe, that art OF
sinking, that raising and disappointing o.
expectations, that apprehcnded nigh,
indulge In levity unbccoming the dignity
OF this board. Having as well as could
suppressed those emotions which were ex.
cited by contrasting the beginning with
the conclusion, l entertain the hope tia,
I may succeed in treating the subject as a
TeahHy-as the serious opinions of serious
men. Aud, sir, ! am The rather inclined
TO this course, from wish 10 treat ever,
thing coming from joint committee how
ever trifing, with an air of consequence
And t!sis. sir, rotwithstNa ding its outra
9e"Is charges against the government OF
she United States, the dangcrou, priuci-
pies it advances and the hcresies it in.
cu.ca;es, and above all, the piliful manner
IN which IL Couclules. 80
Permit me to- give an abstract Of the Fro.
Ininent charges con aimed in this report
/; states that the policy of Washington is
aoaudoned-that New England is lost in
national councils--:hat an understandable
and unconstitutional power has grown I'd
In the western slates-that the war is wick
ed * anparalicled-that the president is an
un:estraincd despot, and the congress has
Obsequ'ous parliament-that commerce is
1ntcn. Ionzily and maliciously DESTROYED
war IS ~agGd upon the people OF this state
that our hopes and comforts are destroy.
ed-that 6o,Goo men are organized to en-
sls, u us--laat the compact is violated
thu, liberty aud property are exposed to ar
bi,rarY restraints and eXactions-ihat life
1tse}t IS scarcely seCure--that remCnstrance
Is vain--rcsistance legal--and that Il con.
senrion Of the New England states for self.
preservation, would be right anu p: opcr 49,
Here is a catalogue 81 crimes that would
disgrace Nero 4 history Of expressions
and sufsrings which No people on earth
ever endured. And this is but an imlcr-
tecs epi,ome of this report. IVhere is Inc
freeman who believes This, and would nol
SXciaIEl, arouse TO arms Seize the zane
tuary OF hhrety, and defend the altar OF
die Who but expects recommeHda-
SiGn 20 break these chains, harl the tyrants
IRON their seats, consign them 10 destruC-
ton, aud their adberentS to everlasting
shame and reproach (? Who but expects
a storm OF indignation 20 burst on the
heads OF those w.ctChes, who thus delight
90 feast, On their CouDtry's richest blood
What is the redress ? Have patience, sir,
and don't trcmblc. This is the redress.
The complaints OF these people are to be
sent 10 the governor not that lie should
burst their chains and execute vengeance
OH the gully heads of their oppressors, but
that he should do with them just nothing
az all but that the nerf governor may Law
then, before the next legislature, aud there
ends the farce And this is all that an OF,
pressed people are to expect from the pa
t.iotic legislature Of Massachusetts Is il
possible /? Alter having been encouraged
by the governors speech, and the answer,
and probably by special application, to in
duce them to complain aftci having OBJ.
tsined pledge of these people that they
would support this project of opposition,
you desert them in the hour Of peril, and
throw off all responsibility from your
shoulders upon theirs. In the mean time
the army of sixty thousand is raised ard
organized, and their destiny is fixed past
all hope.
Do gentlemen believe all these charges,
grievances and dangers, or is it mere abuse
against the officers Of the general govern
zncnt, to drive them out OF hower and get
in themselves If it is this We can very
easily account for the tapering off. 1t is
possible the government may be more
slow in believing us in earnest, than these
people. Should this be the case, and the