Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-07-23
To tie Editor Of tic Alexandria Gazette
LETTER II.


There is one passage in his speech,
where the Hon. Secretary, must have re-
minded his deserted party Of the sentl-
ments they entertained of HIM before,
what they denominate his political apos-
tacy-his days of shame. In writing that
passage, it would seem that he was filled
with the recolaections of his childhood -
The sentiments his venerable father IN
stilled into his infancy, appear then to
have been glowing in his bosom, and his
native hills which wreath their rich and
varied traeery around the green OF the
East, seem to have arisen on the horizon
OF his fancy, as if instinct with the deep
emotion, which heaved in every human
breast, when the thirteen United Colo
pies leaped into Independence and SoVer
eigniy. need not quote the passage;
the recollection of every one recurs to 1t;
every exelaims, % 81 sic omnisa diris-
set, Surely, Sir, he could write such
passage; could have written others Hike
it; or at least others infinitely better than
the thorny and bitter trash, which brushes
and obscures this beautiful flower of his
genius What then could have induced
the Hon Secretary to have left such
theme as that, to address himself to mean
and degrading passions? What could
have SO thralled his sense, as to have
made him,
On this fair mountain leave TO feed
To batten Oh this moor?"
Was this course the choice Of his own
heart, or did he suppose it would be the
most grateful to his countrymen? lit be
tie former, let the American people be-
ware of such a man. But if the latter be
the case, | can tell him he SANDERS his
countrymen in his heart. No, Sir, it is
not more grateful to the people OF this
Union, on the day of their proudest Jubi-
lee, to remember the malignant policy OF
George Ill, of his minion behind, or his
ministers at the foot of The throne; than
it is to call to mind the virtues displayed
in those heroic deeds of their ancestors,
which from so much evil brought forth
such great good. What, Sir, d~es Mr.
Adams think his fellow citizens SO desti-
fate of magnanimity, as to prefer brood
ing over ancient enmities, to loosing them
among recollections of glories that are
past, and hopes of glories that are to
Gomez If he does, he is miserably mista-
ken. 1t is the boast of this country, that
&c has con paratively no rivalres and jea-
lousies. Separated by mighty ocean
from every nation, which could inspire US
with these olious passions, those frequent
occasions do not occur to excite them,
which happen in kingdoms, divided only
by narrow channels, or mountains, or RI
vers, or imaginary lines. Besides, we
have no rival families seated on rival
thrones. Contented with our soil and
our climate, and exulting in our political
institutions, all we ask of other nations, is
an equalan friendly communion; that We
may carry to them any of our produc-
tiOns, which contribute to their comfort,
and bring away in fair exchange, what
ever oftheir supcrhaities may supply our
wants and our Injuries. And is not this
a happy state of feeling Does it not
evince magnanimous disposition? And
why should the Secretary of State wish
to disturb the one, and destroy the other?
1t is in vain, he says, "my purpose is to
rekindle no angry passions from their en-
bers." Tn e whole tenor of his speech
breathes another spirit-a spirit most
rancorous against the freest nation on the
other side of the wide waters; nation,
which enumerates among her champions
OF the rights of human nature, an Alger-
non Sidney, Hampden, Chatham, a
Burke. and a Charles James Fox We
all know that the education of the Hon.
Secretary tended to Undue him with a spi-
rit very different from this, whose entire
banisl ment from his bosom we can only
account for, by supposing the intrusion of
another and malignant spirt-the spirit
ofpolitical apostacy.