Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1815-07-22
ALEXANDRIA.
SATURDAY, jury 90.
NATIONAL P2EIUDICEs.

MAI lDgNAL fNLtODIOES.
From deep rooted national prejudices
have arisen more wars. perhaps, than
from any other cause. One half the con-
hiets which have taken place between
England and France have been more
owing to tie mutual hatred existing in
the two nations towards each other than
TO any real or essential injury experience
ed by either. 10 the disgrace and ruin
Of both countries, there is set OF men in
each, who are always busy in fostering
The unchristian hatred and revenge, and
perpetuatiny those prejadices which have
arisen from the conflicts in which they
have been engaged with each other. In
this way one war is made to sow the
seeds OF another, and from fataer to son
the disposition to quarrel is handed down.
The weak, the ignorant and the vicious,
are the subjects upon which this Liberal
spirit Of national hatred operates with
the greatest effect.
This evil spirit, which has produced
SO much misery and distress in tie old
world, is greatly countenanced and che
rished in the United States. 1t has al
ready cost as one vain and useless war,
aud those who are the special subjects of
it, are heartily engaged in paving the way
for another. But for the strong prejudi-
ces which existed in this country against
tue British, and which partly grew out OF
the revolutionary quarrel, but were muci,
Mo + dIfused aad exasperated byinflam-
natory publications in democratic news
papers, the men at Washington would
ueve.' have dared toinyolve US in the late
war, on the frivolous and false pretences
upon which they rested their classification
for that destructive and wicked measure.
Scarcely any greater misfortune can
beiai people taan the general prevalence
of strong national preIudices. 1t was a.
gainst tie evils arising from such ten
per OF niad that Genera! Washington, ii
his farewell address, especially and most
earnestly warned his countrymen to be-
ware. During his administration the de-
mocrats took advantage OF the prejudice
ofthe people against England aud stroye
hard to plunge Us into war. Wash.a3-
ton opposed and defeated them at that
time; but he ioresaw taat what he had
prevented would ayainsbe attempted,
when he was cut ot the wav--aad so 1t
has come to pass.
Every individual qaarei--every W.
pleasant occurrence, watch takes place
Detweea oar people and the British. is
seized upon By certain characters aons
as, and made a sa9,ect OF natioHal AZ
fence. The passions and preJudiccs o
tne people IRE at once afra}ed 10. thu
purpose Oh revenge. 10 excite prejudice
and Ill viii, every tlins is distorted OF
MISUNDERSTANDING often the most bare
faced faisenoods are invented and clrcu-
lated b. the democratic newspapers,
With tie view OF inflaning tie peoples
minds and rendering then ripe Tor the
shedding OF blood.
There are certain characters among Us
who can always find cause eR0a&i. for
war with England. 1t is great evil to
a station wnen such persons are sufficient
ly numerous to have weight III the com
lnunity o. influence W,la the people.
But it is doubiy dangerous when such
are entrusted VITA tne aIairs Of govern
ment. Yet sach is the present situation
Of the United States. We are governed
1y nlea, wao Instead of carrying with
taen the spirit OF their statlon---the dig
nity, moderation and prudence, necessa-
~ to Constitute national ruiers--are SUD
iect to all the oiiad prejadices and vim.
lictige feeling found III the most Wi 5al
OF their supporters. Such men viii al
WAYS couatenance those OF their own kid
1 ney--aad their notions Of poiicy--tne.l
preiudices aid passions are first consult.
ed IN NATIONAL aiialrs. Wnen such mei
bear sway,it is ali mob from the beel,
house to tie Presidential palace.
Ireaton taaeratist.
Ertreet Of a letter from sNs'c-Orleaas
Ju.ie 4.