Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-02-24

:. sole object is the emolument, or fac
WV .s., consequence of Office. are the real
we We Of republican Institutions, and the sour
~ fnolitical generalization. Against these
lover of liberty and law should be
'm .,n and siedfast in, contending. Unfortu-
s s,tely for the honor. as well as the peace of
oo.nnsylyana. such parties have too often
IA themselves into notoriety, and dish-
p's IA the otherwise captivating picture Of
domestic prosperity. If it be true that
.v,ent of her executive patronage spreads
"a ~ rs temptation, it should also animate
s,yirtuous and patriotic citizens to keep
more jealous watch, and to remedy by
~, oractice this theoretic danger of their
sm;rable government. Your committee
andy hope that the degrading deyelope-
,o,. Of cabal and intrigue, made in the
.,0cress of the present inquiry, may inspire
inst and salutary disgust, They rejoice
nat the testimony has been ordered for pub
;,,tion; that the people of this Common
v,,lIh may behold in naked deformity The
.,oker of sordid ambition; and that public
,Dinon, the chief and safest corrective for
our political evils, may prevent our ever
hOking upon the like again.
Your committee hold in sincerest venera-
ian that provision of the Bill of nights
rbich guarantees to the citizens OF this state
he right TO petition, or demonstrate against
reyauces, or for other proper purposes. 1t
Constitutes distinguishing and invaluable
feature of our free CODE, and cannot be too
saously protected from violation. Equally
delicate as noble, it would be injured, if not
destroyed, by the least modification or OBJ
aruction. But who does not perceive how
sbsmefu!ly this constitutional jewel has been
perverted? Has it not been torn from its le-
climate object to decorate the harlotry of
fiction, instead oil shining on the egis of Ii
bsrty Has it not been made the subter-
Iuge of political designs rather than the me-
dun of patriotic resistance Has it not been
nisapplied to produce waste of public trea-
sure, procrastination of Legislative duties,
and stain upon the character of the state
The evidence before your committee too
dearly established the position, that the in
curry into the conduct of the Chief Magistrate
originated in feelings of personal disappoint-
nents. was systematized by few, and was
finally presented to the consideration Of the
house of representatives for the mere purpo-
sss OF party warfare.
Our country is just now exhibiting an I'M
pecedented harmony of political sentiment.
The wisdom and moderation Of the National
Councils have greatly softened the asperitIes
d opposing parties, and nearly deprived
ambition of any hope of success, except from
the practice of honest patriotism. Nor can
itescape remark that the same forbearance in
the administration of state affairs, has eradi-
Gated much bitterness of feeling, and lett
but "a few theoretic principles as sources OF
contention.
Such state Of things is, in the highest de-
gree, grateful aud suspicious to the hopes OF
every lover of freedom. Our republican in
stiulOns have withstood the shocks, beneath
the severity of which, European statesmen
fondly predicated their downfall. Little now
need be apprehended from recurrence OF
similar conflicts, if any should recur. The
materials of our government are solid, and
calculated to be permanent. Let the people
Of Pennsylvania be wary, stern and active
III suppressing the demoralizng practice OF
mere mercenary and turbulent politicians,
and no apprehension can be entertained tor
the durability Of their Liberties and happi-
nsss''