Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1822-02-13

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states have prevented them from look-;
ing and perhaps ever will Even now the
only boon which importunate petition
may hope for, il that q law shall pass,
for the accommodation Of magistrates
repugnant Co the constitution, and sub
verting the sacred right oftrial BY jury.
Should this calamity be averted, we
take the alternative Of local govern
meat "a measure which substitutes total
weakness for total irresponsibility. IL
an absolute government advisable p
Let it then be pure.
flour hopes are colGured by our expe-
rience, as they ought in reason to be,
what can we expect but anindehnite con-
finuance OF vassalage? Let us remember
that this vassslage results from no premedi-
tated, nor perhaps. even voluntary des-
potism in Congress, but is the inevitable
consequence Of our condition. The Fed.
eral Legislature has nationsl duties to per.
form which engross its time. and are tree,
| IN regard to US, from those ties which
bind the representative to his constituent.
The exclusive jurisdiction which. they pos
sess, however wisely or moderately exer-
| ted is an excrecence-an unnatural fungus
in the Republics despotism. Whatever
pewer IS exercised Independently Of the
uiH of the people, oppressed individually
or reprssentafiuely, IS a despotisn. II in
| political creed. wherein confess myself
to be an in6dcl, state necessity seemingly
REQUIRES the sacrifice Of the Liberties of
| some for the benefit of all, it becomes not
us, the neighbours and almost the towns
men of the hero OF mankind, to be the
willing victims. If the inhabitants Of
Washington County are less scrupulous,
let them adopt their course, but let not US
"be partakers wih them" Should you
covet the ambition Of furnishing a warning
example to America and showing its free
men The value of liberty by its absence
from yourselves. why then, enjoy this
mournful triumph. and be to the citizens
of this Republick what the Helots were to
Lacedenon This unhappy race were,
we learn, purposely made drunk, that the
children of their masters might, on seeing
their intoxiCation, be Disguised into sobri-
ETY.. But the spirit of freedom still ami.
| mates your hearts;-you daily grow warm
er under its holy in4uence-you are
alive to your disfranchise nent and its
accompanying af1ictions-your bosems
swell at the thought that your children ale
nurtured in slavery-you feel the horrors
of your situation and only ask a remedy
Fellow citizens, there is remedy-an
easy, constitutional, 40 honorable rene.
dy. Your parent State opens her arms to
you with maternal love, and will bail you
with joyful greetings: The fatteG calf is
already killed for the returning and re.
pentant prodigal.
The prospect of emancipation seems
| sufficient motive for retrocession. But
| additional incentives are furnished in the
advantages which would certainly or
probably result from that measure. De-
signing to enforce them particularly on
future occasions, ] now merely remark
that our Interests would thereby be impli-
ing state; that we should become the
great northern outlet Of its commerce; that
we should participate in the important
| benefits of its funds for literature and in
ternal Improvement; that our present ex
pensive and dilatory jurisprudence would
be changed for system at once cheap and
expeditions, and that the terrours OF dis
! Reimbursement would no longer prevent
wealth and influence from settling in our
! town.
These results are so certain that only a
! clear exposition of them will be necessary;
but of other consequences, equally useful
and desirable, shall endeavour to show
| by fair argument the extreme probability.
Among these are the continuance of Alex.
andria County separately from any other,
| and thi. towns becoming the seat of new
chancery jurisdiction. In regard to the
| objection to retrocession arising from the
fear of increased taxes, hope to expose
the groundlessness of this apprehension,
by demonstrating that the change will
furnish resources for defraying any add.
tional expences which it may induce.
On subject so important, diversity of
opinion may be expected. Arguments
against retrocession will be suggested
both by conscience and by interest, and
| am aware that citizens whose talents and
integrity deserve the profoundest respect
will refuse their aid to its advocates: on
the other hand much of the responsibility
of this County is enlisted on its side.
| Though facts are better than authority. and
the weight OF argument should exceed that
of influence, it becomes candid inquirer
to dsrust his judgment when wise and
good men reject his conclusions. But if
farther deliberation only confirms the first
opinion, it is his duty toresist the impress
sion of authority, however imposing, and
| 10 submit his views to the consideration OF
the public. Thus affected, invoke your
serious attention to our present calamities,
and to the suggested remedy ANY argu-