Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-08-02
FOR THE ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.

reeary of State, has excited that atten-
ton, which from its Importance it was
calculated to produce. The novelty of
the circumstance hath in a great measure
called forth pubiick opinion. The Amer
lean people for the first time, beheld their
Prime Minister appearing in the rebes of
an orator, on the glorious anniversary of
their national Independence, probably
the most illustrious epoch in the history
OF ages; a day, which in every respect,
was qualified to fill the bosom with the
noblest sentiments of virtue and patriot
ism. and to instil into the minds of every
Geser of his country the most pure and
devout gratitude. That any event which
could have occurred on that day should
beget a difference of opinion among our
fellow-citizens must surely be a source of
regret. The elevated station of the Ora
tor had rendered him more conspicuous
inNthe eyes of his countrymen, and a tow
,ering mark exposed to the arrows of crit
les and censurers. His friends would be
delighted with success, and his enemies
would rejoice at his defeat.
The true patriot regards the alternative
no farther, than it involves the dignity of
his country. This is the citadel to which
all his hopes are directed, this point he is
DESTROYS to guard with the most unceas-
ing vigilance. Jealousy, lest that dignity
should be violated, animates him to scan
the actions of an officer of State, to whom
is entrusted the safe keeping of his coun-
try's honor; that is dearer to him than his
own existence; and he respects it more
than the genius or power of a person,
however transcendant or highly exalted
above the rest of mankind. Republican
virtue should be raised above the fear of
suspicion; it should continue pure as
the icicle pendent from dams temple"
Roman m~agnanimity constitutes its great
ness.
If then one of its principal officer in
fringesi in the slightest manner any ofthose
essential decorums, which belong to his
place, he has thereby cast a shade over its
tranquil splendor. Viewing the subject
in this light only, and leaving pathological
errors to The admirers of minute criticism;
let us examine whether the Secretary
hath not departed from The delicacy OF
his situation. 1t is an extremely difficult
matter to draw the imperious line Of dis
t~inetion between official and private char
acters when acting on public occasions
In the instance before US both are united
IN the same person. The faults, crimes
md errors of either are in some sort
correllative. AS the Secretary of State
was the orator, in the examination Of his
acts, our own sense of propriety comPels
us to keep in continual view his official
station. Attached to an important post
the duties of which he is eminently quail
fed to discharge, he is no longer at liber-
ty to range over the field of unbounded
RIGHTEOUSNESS, His country hath a right
to regulate the propriety of his conduct
and her dignity demands from him that
he should sustain his own. Every act of
an officer Of state, whether it be praise
worthy or censurable, forms a part of
pnbliek opinion. Upon this basis is erect
ed the monument of a nations eternal
glory or disgrace.
The splendours Of a throne proceed
from the bright virtues of the monarch.
The greatness of a republick depends on
the m~agnanimous sentiments and conduct
of her citizens. A statesman is entrusted
with the preservation and protection of
his country's ri hts; in that character he
is bound to adopt any means which may
be fair and honorable for the purpose of
accomplishing his ends, In the capacity
of a dipiomatist, he has complete freedom
70 exercise all the genius and understand
ing whichhe may possess; he may then at
tack or defend in the adroitest manner;
success is the object, and ingenuity and
wit, satyre and ridicule may be there
welded with all the powers of a masters
hand. He should never let his sword fall,