Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1815-01-21
TIE PRoCEaDiNGS or 4

g.csscnrsl al sIas;i.,ss', lathe State Of
oaarsiiriS, Dea. IS, Sii.
REis0isE, 6c.--CoScLupzu.
Whatever theories upon the slb,
;ys ,oef eosAmeres. have hitherto tii-
:.sl the opinions OF statesmen, ex 4
;,..riicsce has al Hast sisawn thatsit is
vital Interest in the United States,
AID that liza saccess IS essential 70
the enlargement OF agriculture
MauniaelaYes. and IN the wealth IT !!
r.s,lcss, defence and liberty Of the
naaian. rs welfare can nesef ~
.tcsser re with the ether great interests
essl,e states, but must promote ana
n;,haid them. Still those who are
Immediately concerned 10 the pro
ss.eut;oa Of commerce., will OF necfs
s:.y he always i minority Ct the ma
lion. They are aoseser best gua'l
+ i;..i 20 manage aed direct It's course
a,v The advantages of experience. anu
sSe sease os interest. But they are
*n,iY~ls unable sn protect themselves
AGAINST the sudden and iaiusiieioMs
decisions efnare majoKiiies. and tie
3 m:staAcm or oppressive projects II
ahass Who are not actively concerned
ia IT'S persuits. OF consequence. Tins
interest is always exposed TO nc bar
PASSED, Interrupted, Il entirely des-
1royed. upon prsieace of securing O.
finer intescsts. Had the merchants
OF iisis nation been pcr,nitted. by their
nvn government. to pursue an ,'i,io
cent and lawful commerce. how dill
fcrent would have been the state OF
TIE treasury and of public credit !
How short sighted and miserable fs
she peliey which has anaihiiated this
ey;ier of men, and deos,ed their ships
10 rot ia the docks, their capital to
waste unemployed. anu their aifec-
zion. TO be aiisnated from the CO.
yern,pent whichWas formed to pro-
aset them What security fer an
ample and untai!iag revenue can ever
RI had, comparable TO that which
8 Was once realized in the good Faith,
paactuaii.y and sense of honor
which attached the mercantile class
"a he interests of the government !
whhcnt eammeree, where can We
.fhand she ahmen1 for navy; and
without a navy, what is TO constitute
the defence, and ornament, and Slo-
ry Of this nation! No uaion cav he
ttirai,lv eelneated, in when every
vseaf interest does not find Itself rea-
spnal,iy secured against the eaeresel-
,nsats and combinations of other an
terests. Wnen, therefore. the past
sssteln ofembargaes and commercial
resssietions shall hase been reviewed
when the flaetuatisn and ineonsis-
teucy Of public measures, betrayiDg
want of information as we'll as
feeling in tbe majority. shall have
been considered. the reasonableness
of seine restrictions upon the power
OF hare majority TO repeat theseop
pressions, will appear TO be obvious.
The next amendment proposes to
restrict the power Of making offea-
siye war. In the consideration OF
this amendment. it is not necessary
to enquire into the justice of the pre-
sent var But one sentiment now
exists in relation TO its ex,.ndieney,
and regret for lis declaration is near
" universal. No Indemnity can e.
yer be attained for this terrible ca
Ian,ity. and its only palliation must
he found in obstacles to its future re
carreace. Rarely can the state OF
t,,is eeuatry call for or justify often.
sive war. The genius OF our institu
tons is nrfayorable 10 its successful
prosecution the felicity Of our stu
alton exrmpts US from necessity -
In this case as in the former, those
more Immediately exposed tots la
tai effects are a minority OF the ma.
ton. The commercial towns, the
shore efoup seas and rivers. contain
the population, whose vital Interest
are NEST vulnerable by foreigne enc
my. Agriculture, Indeed. must feel
at last. bat this appeal to It's scnsi-
hliiy comes too late. Again ths
L.. No. ,xn,,,l.f;sn which has