Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-04-16
From the pillags Record.
ALLvnEMEsrs To WAR.

Cuetishcu W pho "iSe
republic, that as we we're tar removed
from the nations of Europe, We should
keep equally distant from the Ininous
paths Of their policy. The object OF eve
~ government should be, the happiness
of the people. Yet the policy pursued Tor
ages by the nations Of the old world, has
raised up a controlling influence, the IN
terest of whichis often opposed to that
Of the great body Of the people. HE
European nations are essentially warilke
the natural element Of their govern
ments il var. The arts Of peace are cui-
tiyated, chiefly with view to the ards
they can render in a national conflict
Is there hardy p-asautry reared On
the hills Of Northumberland-in the green
fields Of Ireland--on the banks oil the
Seine or the Garoone lis BOhemia pro-
life cf a race bold and nervous Stare
the Cossacks of the Don increasing p
Thr question Of the European statesman
is not, How many hamlets are there,
Where health and plenty cheer the la
bring swain
Or what number Of villagers dance to the
flageolet beueath their native groves =
Bui, How many soldiers can they furnish
to the army?
If The fisheries are to be encouraged, or
new canals to be constructed the chief
argument in their favor is. that they will
train seameH for the navy.
Is their man Of honor and of wealth,
who is blest with numerous .ons--no one
asks, bow will he dispose Of thems Hut
in what regiment will he purchase them
commissions
All iheir measures look to a state o!
hostility. Peace is but the repose of the
warrior; from which he rises invigorated
to new tolls and dangers. In their res
mite from arms. the officers dance atten-
dance at the levees of the tsir-galiant
them to routes. masquerades and balls
and court the favor Of those who have
power to promote them.
The common soldier riots in humber
pleasures--looks upon the daughters Of
The poor as his prey-sings the song OF
Patrick
81 cafe no. a marvedy how the world
goes,
The king finds me money and vi'fles and
cl0the,"-
sets rdddled at every ale.house /; and at
length begins, like his officer surfeitsd
with pleasure. to yawn for more active
service, A restless army is always dam
sercus: policy dictates new war; eau
ses are never wanting. The warlike ma
ton. Exc the quaIrelsoms man, is never
q, loss for plausible reasons tor blow.
In the meantime the farmer labors-
the mechanic tolls and from their indus
trv the whole OF those that constitute the
armies must be supported. The necss-
sary consequence is. that the high be-
come exalted, and the hubble proper
tionasly depressed Privileged orders a
rise, aud FOR every nObleman created IN a
uatior, ten Of its Inhabitants are placed
on the list OF psupers The army sup
ports the government, and the governm't
the army. Although the forms OF the con-
stitution may be free ; although the Ha-
bsss Corpus may exist, and the tria' BY
Jury prevail /; although elections by the
people NAV still retain their fOro s; ye'
the state of things described does inev'-
tably subject to oppression, AID entail MI
sery upon the great body OF the people.
Descended from the Europeans, hold
ing constant intercourse with them. IT
would be strange indeed If we did not
in some degree fall into their habits oil
thinking and acting. The Influence OF
their fashions-their manners their yir-
tues and their vices.is every where TO be
seer throughout these states. So desPo'
tic is the rage for imitation and thu pow
or of fashion. that at this moment We cut
eur hair, form our clothes, and wear our
hats, according to the laws and prsce'