Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-03-08
ALEXANDRIA.
democracy turned 10 Federalism.
FRIDAY, March 8,

democracy Turned 10 Federalism.
Our political opponents. point to TIE
circumstances of the United States AMI
exclaim all these are our doings Ihe
Elhen. compare the present appearances
|of the country, with the gloom and de-
Iiection occasioned by the war. and ar
|resate to themselves much honor. fof
Having brought about change so felici-
tous, For what purpose, compariso3
Of this character is instituted, we con-
tess ourselves utterly at loss to conjec
|turc. In order to bring this state of cir
|cumstances to bear upon the question in
|iysss. comparison should be made not
Iletween Federalism and Democracy. but
between Democracy and Democracy
Tie democrats should compare the bles-
sinns which we have suffered by the war.
with those we have suffered by the en-
|barge-the non Importation. the non ex-
portation, and the acts of non inter-
course. They should plainly tell rs,
for which JOINT er several curses. the ma
tion is under the greatest obligation of
gratitude. Such yariegated misery would
ferrn a perfect picture Of democracy, and
Running the analogy between the natural
and the political body, the question would
he which oil these diseases, consump.
Itior. fever, an asthma, or the ruptnre
Iof blood vessel, was the best mode Of
putting an end to our existence ? We
wish that car democratic brethren would
come fairly to the point--let them have
the boldness and hopesty TO take up their
own sias in their chronological order,
and tell US plainly if they can, under
which, they have Inflicted the most mi
serv.
But tie argument IS entirely falla-
cieus, when our democratic friends, IN.
stitute comparison between federalism
and their own policy. According to this
mode OF considering the case, the tede-
ralists voted for the war, and the demo.
Gratis were It's decided enemies. Thew
are compelled to contound the most OBJ
yious facts, to make cut a sorry and for
Torn compliment TO themselves, at the1
EXPENSE OF truth and honor. We would
only call one plain fact to their memory
which is. that the federalists, never vot-
ed fer the embargo, the non intercourse,
the non impori atlon, the non expectation
acts, or for the war. TbeSe are what
tie democratic parties. called 6 b!es-
sings in the day OF their visitation," nor
shall We very soon forget the observations
of General Duane, when speaking on the
subject OF the mercantile circumstances
against the embargo, . these men com
plain, said ms tremendous majesty thai
they have too much to eat Now the
con parison. Instituted by these gentle
men, properly considered, amount tothe
seyerest satire upon themselves.
1t amounts to an assertion, that theI
democrats are tired OF their own policy
They have brought misery and ruin upon
the nation, by adopting their own plans,
and after reverting to the measures of
federal policy, they exclaim--how much
happier is the nation now !! 4Irue, gen,|
tiemen! But pray do not forget your
own panegyrics, on the profound wis
dom, displayed in all these measures,
which You now SO justly reprobats -
Pray remember the time, when it was
treason fer. a man to think, that an en-
barge was not better than commerce !!
Alter you have abandoned this folly, to-
|chargeIt to the account Of federalism, is
perfectly intolerable. This party are
not only nov pnrsuing federal policy,
ont also impating the eDormity of their
own actions, t the federal party. They
laYe no other means of escape, than to
ondemn their own actions, and to mo-
iaopolize to themselves the reputation OF
/, policy. which they formerly denounced
the very essence Of treason. They
kare traitors, by their own confession ;