Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-09-12
From the Albany Daily Advertiser.

4 o"s "So .NSo's''J 'J t
A great many old federalists, some oil
whoa were on the stage IN General
Washington's time, and actively engag-l
ed in the political concerns ofthe country,
and others, who, though employed I'M
their own affairs, still keepan attentive
eye on those of the public, resolute main
tain the whimsical opinion. that the coun-
try was much better off then, than it IS
now. Such an opinion is the natural Oh,
spring of self love, and perhaps a small
portion of vanity may be mtermingled.
10 stop their mouths, if not to convince
their minds, on this subject, we hope they
will attentiveIy read the following paral-
|lel. If they shall then hold out, we shall
give them over as incorrigible.
In General Washington's time we had
la national debt of about seventy milllens
of dollars. Although the country was
poor at that time, and had to begin the
world anew, and had character and a
credit to establish, yet, such measures
were adopted, that both character and
credit were established ,and a plan was
laid. which in a reasonable time would
have completely paid off that debt. Now
nobody knows, or if any body does know
Ihobody tells US, INV large our DEBT Is
The last that was certainly heardoi It,wa'
almost q year ago, when it bad reached
lneariy forty mitloas more than 1t was II
EGcne,al WashingterI,.s tjne wnen 1t was
first formed. Rove. crit is yell known
that there is vas deal still behind hand
that will sweH,the sum, when 1t shall be
brought fd, ward, TO much greater a
mount than that. Hardly any body ex'
pects that # will fall short of one hun
: dred and fifty millions, and some suppose
it will 90 still higher. Now, is it not
clear, that the nation is better of at this
time, fiat it was formerly. Certainty it.
,credit mnst have been good, or the ski!
of lie Government great, Or It never coaid
have become so deeply Involved.
In General Washington's time, we
1carried on as extensive a trade as oul
means would enable us--we had very
Lucrative commerce with the West IN
Ides, and almost ailthe rest # tue world
Iii, true, that by adyenturlng solar, ant
$50 mach, we now and then lost vesse
land cargo by shiPwreck, but, upon the
whole, we prOspered greatly, and the
country grew rich fast.---ihe farmers
| the mechanics, and all classes of people
found constant employment, and GOOD
markets. and the whole body of the peo
| pie aourished, and were happy. Now
| we lose very few lives, or vessels anc
cargoes, at sea, for we have very little O
that ssrt of trade left. The farmer /;
under no necessity OF ever working him
self for the purpose ofraisiog produce
for foreign market, because ne have nj
such market. In this wav we can live {
much easierlife than h. formerly did
In federal times, we had profitable
branch of business in the fisheries. A
vast many vessels and men, were engag
ed in them and when the old fish mar
kets were open, it was very lucrative
We still fish little, but five want tC
dry them, we mist either bring them
home for that purpose, or quarrel for the
privilege which we once enjoyed, ofdry
ling them on British ground. And when
dried. for the want OF foreign market
ue must eat them all UP ourseIvss.--And
lis it not much be ter, aud MORE comtor-
table, to deyour orr own goldfish, than il
as to sell them TO Roman Catholics. to
eat on their anti-christian fast days ?
In General Washingtor's DAYS, the
government had but few appointments in
Its power, and a great proportion of those
few were distributed among officers OF the
army in the war of independence--men
who had risqued theil lives, and shed
their blood, in defending their right and
| liberties of their country. There was nc
Ibaying popularity by the hestswment 0!
ofices--no caucussing for the presidency,
no bribins traitors and scopndrels, to ex.
| cite the public resentment against one
portion of the country. in ordei to secure
lDower and influence in another portion OF
the country. The pubic business wa.
then transacted openly, and as cur coun-
ltrymen say, above board. 0&ice and e.
molument were not giyeH to secure votes,
but as the reward of merit and public ser
vices. Nov, patronage is extended in a
ten fold degree beyond what it was then,
offices are given merely for the purpose
of securing popularity, and paying tools
and favourites, merit is entirely neglect,
ed, attachment to rights & the Liberties Of
the country is disregarded, and men are
selected and promoted to places of ho-
nor and profit, merely because thev are