The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-09-08
ALEXANDRIA PATRIOTISM.

ALEXANDRIA, PATRIOTISM.
The Editor of the Alexandria " IIeraldp
is angry, because in the editorial article
that appeared in the "Virsinahp two
weeks ago, relative to the numerous pub
fic dinners which have been given To dis
tinguished characters during the last year,
we alluded to that given by the pat iofie
citizens of Altxandra"to President Adams
soor after his inauguration. The Herald
thinks that we intended estate sarcasm
upon some unavoidable circumstances con.
nected with the late war & a reference 10
which, at this distant period, when they
should be suffered to rest in oblivion, evin-
ces nothing less than low aud ungener4
GUS spirit in the author, wholly INV otthv
of the real Vtrginian We cry, your
mercy, Mr. Pittpau, If it wan sarcasm
1t was one merited Ivy the circumstances TO
which you aIude aud partakss not of the
least uusenerous feeling though we shall
not, like Farmer A,shiield ''argufy the to-
pic" with you. Facts are stubborn things
mud are neither to be denied To suit the
feelings Of interested persons, nor palIiated
to avoid giving offence to the sickly sens-
hiltlrs of pseudo-pdtlioiS.--lf cowardlce
was exhibited in the late war, aud it was
followed by the pollution of err soil by
hostile footsteps, we see no reason Why 1t
should be forgotten, Or why delicate all =
Sion to il, when occasion calls for il, Should
be supposed" unsenerons" or" low I'VE
like TO call things 10y their right names, g.
To Judge of them as they deserve.-But,
says the Herald the "citi.ens Of Alexandria
have manifested as many instances OF
patriotism as those of any other place
And how is this assertion proved ? The
exploits of Gen. Washington. the intrrpi-
lity Of II. Lee, the conduct of some of it,
ci,izens during the late war " it'll q. Britain
and, more recently, against the Weat India
pirates, arc adduccd ! Are these solitary
examples to counterbaIauce tire " circun,-
stances" which the Alexandria Herald
touches upon SO lightly, and which are OF
such degrading character The barren
ness Of the claim of Alexandria " citizens
generally TO patriotism could not have been
more fully shown than by the ridiculous at
tempt to bolster it, by allndng to the gal
lantry and the services of Washington s.
alec. As well might it be said that there
was no virtue in one revolutionary army
and the treason of Arnold addaced To prove
tor that the Congress of 1919, did not
declare war against Great Britain, because
! il met with opposition IN that body. There
are no doubt many brave men and many
patriotic men among the citizens of Alex
andra and no doubt there were many i,
the time the " carcu instances connected WlH
| The late uar" occurred but tire fact does
I not at all iuvalTdate the justice of the " sar-
casn" or prove that il was made in an I'M
generous spirit.-There may be patriotic
aud brave men among a mass fthose who
are not SO, as well as traitors among those
who are pure aud upright.
II Nf are "uUacquhlNleu WIN tue Suh]ec',
as the Editor Of the Herald AYERS. we should
be under infinite obligation to him if he
would enlishtcn our ignorancc, by detail
of the " circumstances connected with the
late war" with which the Alexandrians
have been associated by himself 1t will
no doubt be as edifying Is the community
at large as it viii be honorable to the 4" pat
rinIi, rlfizpna of AlrXnndliA.N