Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-06-02

rouse you by an appeal to your pas
sions l trust that is not necessary;
a plain tale, embracing mere glance
at your situation, will answer, if your
bosoms have not already lost ths no.
BILE throbbings of freemen-my obser-
yations assure me they have not.
When in company, when the busl-
ness at Richmond, or your elections
were the topics, have remarked that
YOU turned your backs with indignant
looks, which proved you were not in
sensible 10 your wrongs; and although
a few, on such occasions, acted differ
emily, as if they were satisfied, aud
would make good merry footmen for
some noble peer, yet am proud to
say they are few indeed.
A bountiful Providence has favored
YOU with a Country inferior to few nn-
der heavens, and has sent among you
a Washington, Henry, and Je6oson, to
teach you the first principles Of free
dom; but yon have failed in prosecu-
ting the Divine commands.-fou are
bequeathins to your posterity apatient
submission to wrongs-that dangerous
legacy, which never fails to riset the
chains their fathers wore. Your lead
in the first war, and manly share i'll the
second, tells well in history, but set
Ting down quietly, without an effort 10
gain your rights at home leaves stain
that must forever disgrace you. Nir-
ginians if you love your country, only
look back at what you were at the close
of the first war, and what is your rank
among the states? Your population is
departing like Hagar and her Son,
with morsel Of bread in search OF
homes. Your leading men are vast
ing their strength in a fruitless contest
about State Rights, while they trample
on the rights of their fellow citizens,
who, alone, are able to support them
in that lust cause. You have no more
to do in the affairs of State than slaves.
Land gives to the weakest heads in
the country, power to govern the most
virtuous and intelligent among you -
Executions may issue against your bo-
dies and Cypress you to the end of your
DAYS; but the land Of a worthless
wretch is protected by law. A bank
rupt law, the only and last hope of the
unfortunate, is denied you, and if you
rise, it must be in some other country,
to which your bad policy is fast driv-
ing you.
Virginians! Can you hear this and
rest satisfied one moment longer? Your
oppressors consider you too ignorant
to enjoy the immunities of frecmen.
Hear what Mr.. Jefferson says, in his
letter of Goth Sept. last, to Mr.. Jarvis
his words are as follows:
81 know ONO safe depository of the
ultimate powers of the society but the
people themselves, and if we think
them not enlightened enough to exer-
else their control with wholesome dis
cretion, the remedy is not to take it
from them, but TO inform their discre-
ton by education.
HOW Goes Inc
agree with the opinion OF this great
and good man. He is for cultivating
your minds, and allowing you all pow
err. Your oppressors take from you all
exercise Of the intellect nature gave
you, and thereby plunge you deeper in
ignorance. While the landholder is
protected by law. your carcasses are
given up to be tortured forever. The
plan set before you will deliver you
from your bondage-but il is only in
tended as form, leaving it to your de-
liberation % frame better, so that the
ultimate object is secured. Packages
of this address will be sent to every
post Office in the state.-Your printers
may not aid in the cause by republic
Cation, ifthey do not, when you become
the sosereigns Of the State, you can
punish them by Withholding public
patronage.
Be fearful of nothing only your own
rashness. A mild and steady course
brings you safe into the port SO long
shut against you. The least disorder
on your part will be trumpeted forth as
an evidence of your unGtness to rule.
Tell your opposers that it is not posi-
bic for you to do worse than they have
done-that by report in 1919, the l.
tenn of muskets alone presented a loss
of about $780, 900 dollars-The many
millions wasted besides have not yet
come to light. \ reform in Virginia
will have happy bearing on North
and South Carolina, Georgia, Alaba-
ma, Tennessee, and Kentucky-States
that have received much population
from Virginia.-Ohio, Indiana, and
Illinois, would look up to you for ex-
amplcs as to mother, if your rulers,
who surrendered your birth right to
that large country, had derived their
authority from your suffrages instead of
the soil under your feet. You will, no
doubt, have the prayers and best wish
es of thousands among the freeholders
of the state. l beseech you to treat
them. as well as those opDosed to Won.