Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-01-21
10 tie Editor of the 4terandrla Gazette.

I
SIs,-The subsidence Of party spirit
in this country produced init, among oh-
er pleasing results. general disposition
20 do Justice 10 the merits OF our great
u:en. While their services 10 the revoln-
Gon4ry war, in forming the constitution.
AMI in the administration OF our affairs.
were gratefully acknowledged the eI-
Cesses or the intrigues into which some
OF them had been occasionally betrayed,
were fo-given or forgotten. That happy
day seemed to have arrived, when all per-
sens were willing to consider the glory OF
these illustrIous individuals as the common
property of the nstioa, and TO regard them
rather az wurlhies who had done hon or TO
the American character, than as members
at a party. OF these, Mr.. jefferson. is
certainly among the most distinguished,
both as patriot and partisan; and tho
there have been some tbiH9s in bis fife,
which the most charitable opponent can,
not easily pardon, lew hare partaken more
largely of this amnesty. That it should
be violated is matter of regret TO all think
iBg men--'hat Mr.. Jefferson should be a.
mong the first and 6ercest TO renew the
war ceepens this regret. and prompts in
our into the mOuVe
His letter to Nr. Barry, dated Month
cello, July Cd, 1929, which has been cir
cula,ed in the newspapers, is fitted TO do
all the mischief which can how from er>
rors that are sanctipned by celebrated
name. Beside it's tendency TO render the
constitution unpopular, its purpose obvi
ously is to revive party spirit, and 10 bring
The Supreme Court into suspicion. How
far this enterprise consists with patriotism.
let good men say how far it will increase
the reputation of its author, IS question
which, though mol vital, is Of coasidera-
bic Importance The enterprise is not,
indeed, fully developed; but in its pre-
sent inmaturity seems little adapted 10 the
wisdom and saoctity of a political patri-
arch, tor whom bis admirers have antici.
pated the rites OF cauoniZatioR. The dis
clsimer Of any extraordinary merit in the
cause OF Independence, which introduces
the letter, was probably intended as mo.
dest Offset to the ingenious egotism which
but lately boosted, that il had made the
first breach in the federal phsiaHy. 10
he account subsequently gwen OF the pre-
sent reconciliation OF parties, tue renera-
bic writer seems more DESTROYS of exercis
ing himself 10 the common places Of the
military vocabulary, than Of portrsying
fairly The nature and circumstances nj that
reconciliation, "Whether the surrender o:
our opponents, their reception into our
camp, their assumption Of our name, and
apparent accession 10 our objects, may
strengthen or weaken the genuine princi.
pies OF repubIicanIsm> may be good or
an evil, is yet 10 be seem" The exact
construction of this sentence may do cre-
cit 10 the most expert rhetorician; its as
SertiOns will star,le toe most ignorant Gre
duIity, bat Mr. Jefferson has the fame Il the
ambition of an author; & authors sometimes
sacrifice a fact for period Without ever
having been Federalist, in the prac-
teal party sense of the word; am
bound in candor 10 deny these assertions,
and the common sense Of every reader
will support me 10 The denial. Who
does not know that the leading doctrines
OF The federalists OF this day are the same
which they have formerly possessed, and
also that they characterize the policy OF
the present administration? VIII any mo-
ralist then be so uncsndid as to accuse this
party OF inconsistency because the best
and wisesi OF them practise the maxim,
which their veners |, dfnoune has often
preached ".Heasures not men, VIVA.
college Freshman is so illogical as TO infer
a change of doctrine on one side. because
the same doctrine is adopted by the o.
Their. There are. ii IS true, some federal
zealots who madden al the recollection OF
lost power, aud desire its recovery more
earnestly than the welfare Of the republic
Such men would willingly wakeu faction
from her blessed sleep. am sorry that the IT
once mighty antagonist has, ~ bis own
conduct, furnished them with precedent,
The oTacuisr darkness OF the closing sug
gestion 10 the passage which | have cited,
is tie proper drapery OF all invitation to
animosity and tumult.
In the panegyric on the Wing and Tory
parties, Mr. Jefferson insinustes that M
every stale portion of its citizens should
be educated in arbitrary principles, IN or
der to render popular those OF an opposite
character. However honest men may con-
Sent to sacrifice their wealth OF their lives
on the altar OF their country, they would
not voluntarily sacrifice their reputation;
AND, By protesting slavlsh doctrines, be
come negative illustrations OF tue excel
lence OF freedom. The epi,het OF Tory
has always been favorite watch wore
with Mr.. Jefferson, and he has been libe-
raj in,his applications .oi il. 1t carries an
idea, however, so unpleasant 10 tine gen.
tlemen OF this country, that Mr.. Woods
case is tar from being the only instance
which the Ex President has had the mag
nanimity or the prudence to retract IL The
efiec, Of such palioodes is not squivocal !:
Tor il is a maxim in morals that no man
stands quite so fairly after recantaIioo,
as he did before the offence which 0cca.
stoned it.
The Improvement in our judiciary adj