Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1822-02-22

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sion on our right of appel, could be to exteno
the limitation from Dl000 to D200o. Amiaoie
candour! Remember, fell, citizens, that tne
only appeal to which we now have right, IS
where the matter in controversy is OF the vaiue
of one thousand dollars1
Without having ascri ed the depressed state
of affairs in Alexandriato its disfranchsemeht
exclusively, certainly considered that cause
as powerfully operative; nor has Senex an
swered the argument, even as misstated by him
self. The progressive decline of Alexandra
was remark able for many years before the gene
raj peace, and as to precedent causes, cities
whose natural advantages were interiour or on
ly equal to ours, resisted them, and have greas-
ly increased in population and in wealth It's,
indeed, strictness of logick which Senex has
no right to expect from an adversary, which
would require me to prove that the cession was
the cause Of every subsequent failure or COM
mercial miscarriage in Alexandra. But, not
to insist on the commercial patronage OF VIr-'
GINA, which we have forfeited, refer to history,
which informs me that government in which
the people participate, communicates to the cl-
tizen an energy and ardour, promotive OF useful
enterprise and zeal for the general good. 1t
seems fair then to aseribe our supineness 4 our
chickering's in a great degree to the timidity and
individual selfshness, which an opposite cohdl,
ton naturally induces. Many of you recollect
that the enterprise of patriotick and inteilf
gent merchant, who some years since endea-
vored to produce direct trade from Alexan-
d1ia to Canton, received far less cooperation
than resistance. In Virginia project calculated
for her benefit would have united Earring inter-
ests, and buried private animosities, because
there every man is urged by both interest and
pride to advance the prosperity of the communi-
ty in whose legislation he has share.
In asserting the "degradation' of the town,
made political remark, which like all others
in my first letter, was not intended to be appli-
ed personally. Had this been its design, ex-
ceptions would have been provided for; and
even now admit that Semen cannot possibly
be degraded. A theory on the subject Of repu-
tation would perhaps be unintelligible to wri-
ter, whose honour is in his purse, and whose
political sentiments are by no means fastidious,
while his avarice is untaxed, ] can even ina
CINE man, who is not very sensitive to person
al chastisement, unless obliged to pay the cost
of the instrument which inflicts it. Of the &c
eentrick doctrines of Senex on the subject of
character, one is that the District of Columbia
enjoys sfsecur1ty for its reputation" The re-
putation consistent with political servitude, in
deed belongs to US, and is fully secured. But
the reputation desirable to free and represent
ed community would, among other things, pro.
cure respect for its recommendations of candi-
dates for its own Offices. If postmaster or 4
collector were wanted in Virginia, the Presi-
dent, as prudent statesman, would conform
his choice to. her sentiments, if expressed in
favour of competent person. Having before
ayowed great personal esteem for the individu-
ais appointed to these offices in Alexandra, in
neglect of its wishes, now affirm that the
President is entirely defensible in his selection.
If citizens of state are equally qualified with
inhabitants of the District for an employment in
the latter, the President properly prefers them,
because his interests are affected by the graft
tude or resentment of state; or of its repre-
sentatives in Congress. The charge therefore of
my having .reproached" this illustrious man
is idle. The same reasons which render Sc
mex and slavery disgustful, entitle the chief ma
gistrate of a free people TO the profoundest res
pect. My opponent asks 'swhat security should
w. have that the executive of Virginia wonld
regard the wishes of the town in this respect
rather than the wishes of the whole state.'' No
answer to this question will be necessary, until
the executive of Virginia has the power of APP
pointing collectors and postmasters in that
state. is Senex here ignorant or forgetful?
Not prepared by the first No. of this garru-
lous writer for any thing like literary nicely in
its sue cessours, Ishould have been surprised at
his criticism on the word e'fatality," had not
perceived it to result from an unacquaintance
with the English language, which is equalled
by nothing but his disrelsh of American liberty
If by some process in logical CHEMISTRY the
reasons of Senex can be separated from his
vulgar personalities and barbarous defamation
they nrnhahlv amount to an argument that other