Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-02-07

lowest depths ofslayerys The inhabit-
ANTS Of this district will be subjected to
burdens which will make them weary Of
existence. The smallest pretence will
be used for the purpose of applying to
them those dreadful engines of arrest,
imprisonment and death, which will arise
from these new laws of treason. Com
iscation of property, that fond regard Of
all tyrants, will necessarily flows from
these extensions of power. Despotism
inevery shape and form, will exercise it.
self in inRicting on this unfortunate dis
|trict the greatest calamities. Like the
dreadful pestilence, it will stalk over the
land, till every thing within its reach
feels its fatal influence. The prospect
before Us, if we Judge of future, by past
events, is full of those realities.
When The sword and the purse are
welded by the same hands, we have
then arrived at that pitch of tyranny,
which the trainers of that constitution
we're so anxious to avert. In the forma,
ton of that instrument they always kept
in view the separation OF those powers.
and clearly foresaw that if they were
once consolidated, the liberties Of this
nation were gone. If the sword and the
purse ATE eonfided tothe same authority,
YOU grant to them the surety of your po-
fliticll destruction--your liberties are
forever extinguished.
Knowing then that congress have un.
constitutionallv endeavored to deprive
US of our property: does not this en-,
uuiry torcibly strike your attention. that
thew may in the same manner attempt
to deprive US of our lives This idea
is by no means singular, because expe-
,rience teaches Us, that all governments
which have exercised the prerogative OF
forcing from a people their property
without their consent, have forcibly SUBJ
iected them to the most dreadful punish
ments Of imprisonment, the scafold, and
the axe. A republican Legislature which
has the boIdness, to lay direct taxes on
people who are not represented, would
not hesitate to make that people the VIC
TINS of the most appalling torture. 1t
may be contended that the American le-
yisiafures are remarkable for the mild
ness of TIER laws. and shat no reason
able man could for moment suspect
them of these dreadful exercises of pri-
yiiege. But recollect when men " feet
po,oer they forget right That when
they are in the full and uadisturbed pos
session Of all those prerogatives which
constitute the highest grace OF despo-
tisn, they have always, if history De
true, used them to the worst of purposes.
The march of tyranny is slew but sure,
A people who mean tobe free viii watch
It's eyerv step with jealousy and care
They, feeling proud and conscious O;
their rights, will check the rising stream,
lest it should encrease into an over
whel,ning torrent.
Like the insect in the dyke, tyranny
will gradually undermine the foundation.
: Under specious garbs it forces Its way
TO the attention aud interest of the peo-
pie; exacting small demands at hrst, 1t
'imav escape the scrutinizing eye OF pa
'itriotism, It'll it eventually secures tho
lend of it labolious pursuit. Placed as
1--WE are without any representation IN
icongress, having none there to espouse
/ Ourrause. exied from the general IN
Itercsts, and seeking mere charity at
| their hands, we should hold it bounden
duty, to oppose with all our strength.
every encroachment on our rights. we
lshould have some faithful centinel al
xays ON the watch. The sacred fame
Iof liberty which inspired the bosoms OF
Inur forefathers should never be suffered
Ito expire as long as this district re-
lmaias. The prophetic admomtlons OF
1.-The greatest orator which Virginia can
boast, may yet be realized. This ten
lmiles square which was intended by our
Industrious champions in freedoms cause,
las the depository of our sacred liberties,
line nursery of the arts and sciences, the
lair field on which the congress of the
limited States were to display their JUS
lice. wisdom and virtue, may yet be-
leone the dungeon. OF those liberties
(which we once enjoyed. Unaffected by
1party rage, in this still and tranquil
thine of peace, we may surely speak the
Language of freedom. We certainly have
eIrights which are worth preserving we
Shave still at stake all that is dear and
valuable to treemen. Nations have been
eIenslaved, because the people have suf-
-|fered their representatives to gain inch