Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1817-03-07
ALEXANDRIA.
FRIDAY, March 7,
VIRGINIA ELECTIONS.

hOrlng dlstf1Cl, VIC nave purpOSciyI
,hstained from all comments on the
uubiect of the election, under an i'm.
nression that discussions relating tol
IN event so remote, would excite but
little interest, and Of course. could be
productive Of but little good. The
near approach, however. of that Pc
Rod. when the individual and poll
teal merits of the opposing candidates
are to be laid before the people. re-
oaircs an abandonment OF the silencel
NC have hitherto stead;astly maintain
ri. And we accordingly announce
MIR intention of occasionally devotingl
S.uorti9n af our paper to such discus
sions. as will. we hope. without pro-
Sncing an undue excitement, enabled
The people to decide, on correct prin-
riplrs, the important question to be!
Submitted 10 them in the month of A
Pril.
We cannot but lament the necessity
ofpngasing. at this time, in such a
contest. The rage Of party has long
since subsidized. It's spirit still SUM
hers. and we are unwilling to disturb
is repose. We had fondly anticipat-I
I'd the arrival Of that day; nay. had.
slrost thought til "ay already arriv-,
81. when the question in relation toj
,anIihates for Office, would be--not,i
she a federslist? is he a democrat :
but, Tin the language Of Mr.. Jefer-
sony is he capable ? is he honest 4
Such a condition Of things would in
sure both to our state and national le-
rislatures, very different repre-
pptation frrm what we have long
been accustomed to. The best inen,
and not the most violent partizans
would then be selected. And really
We know no reason why this should
not be the case at present. Dema-
rgues may object to il, because it is
~ their interest that the country
should be kept in a state of unnatural
fermentation. But We ask any honest
man to point to one single principle,
on which the parties are fairly ut IS
sue, at the present day. The funding
system. the bank, the navy, internal
taxes, standing armies in time Of
peace, and a liberal construction of
The constitution i'm relation to the pow
,rs of the general government. for
nerly subjects Of division. and themes
dyiolent and indiscriminatc abuse.
arc ravorite doctrines OF the present
day. The subject efimpressmcDt too.
has been viewed neG;;.ly IN the same
light by every administration /; and
although brought in collaterally as %
cause OF the late war. the state h1
which it is now l"ft, satisfies us. that
there is, in relation to il, no irrecOn-I
Cilable difference of opinion between
the two parties.
\ As to the weapons with which they
have fought, and tn, manner in which,
they have been used. we see but little
cause nf corgratulation to either par
". The proceedings of both have
been Occasionally characterised by
Violence; md we know of no bctterI
aode, by which they can avoid their
own desradation.& the debasement of
heir country. than to bury the sub
Etn eternal oblivion.
FOR ourselves, we feel no hasitation|
Expressing the opinion. that il Mr..
Monroe perseyeres in mSintaining|
hose principles, on which the more
neral and high-minded Of his party
aa's acted for the last twelve or
Sshteen months. he must look for OPP
bSitinn IN bis administration IN onna|