Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-11-24
PRESCRIPTION.

We sbether in politics, religion, or any thing
ssA'' Nv neighboI has as good right to his
csc as have to mine. And so has my en-
opipo did not hire his opinions, but only his
Poy.sss If he performs them to my satisiac
selsh he has done all can justly require OF him.
hv IT., "a true have right to determine whom l
.nn.,nloy, and have a right also to discharge
vii cup n pleasure, provided no stipulation
my m ms stands in the way oft. But justice
oeIN.ssif nv men, and the community, requires
10 Shonld not exercise this right on arbitrary
ha' or in the spirit of persecution. Men
honnd together in society by innumerable
are uU; and dependencies. 1t is well that
eon con. are so. A community deprived of these
uey ,syions and dependencies, would be no COM
e Ou' At ALL Upon them depends much of the
"a ""s,by good fellowship, and common inter
~ Of society. Proscrlphon IS only anotheI
e'' for seyering these social bonds; and as
aanle i aoes il does it effectualy. fproscrip
ldl Cor Solitical opinion is juStiiable, doubtless
uUn 20 6r religious opinion; inasmuch as the
No. involves more weighty interests than the
s.",sr Suppose then the proscriptiVe princi-
M "Should be carried out. Let us look for
PIC at the beautiful spectacle! A Wing
MI moi employ a Jackson man, nor Jackson
w. a Wing Neither will employ fence-man
ma" f.nceIman them Presbyterian will not
"~oIoy Methodist, or Baptist, or Quaker
Nm
Wis e. buy Of the other, because he diff
from them in opinion. II country mer
Ut arrives in town to purchase goods, and
."n. into n store in Pearl street where he sees
yr ,r,iclas he wants, he must first inquire the
.J;,;cs mr. religion of the occupant. There are
80 changes in five he will find one or the other
Saarent from his own. In that case he must
u"ls an A citizen must not buy groceries or
ut Ut or oysters, of man who differs from him
u, nsrchsnCe he should do him a small favor.
Ia short our Saviour's precept DO good TO
chem that hate YOU" must be precisely revers-
~ Emf perhaps the man does not hate you.-
S,,hans he would hazard his life to preserve
,onr own. Perhaps he has done so already
psTbaos ne is the very best man, for your pur-
nose that YOU could find, if you were to search
,broucb the land. Still, you must turn him
,voy' and thus injure yourself and him. You
must dissolve the mutually advantageous con-
neyion, because he exercises The rights of con-
.iepce and opiliOn!-rights given him by ma
tre, and expressly guaranteed by the Consti-
tuition. Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the
streets Of Askeloni
One thing more We stake our reputation as
prophets upon the issue, that if any party, in
This free country, should avow and carry into
effect the doctrine Of prescription for opinions
uk.-the same doctrine not being adopted or
countenanCed by the other,-the party so avow-
inc and carrying it into effect will as surely go
10 ruin as the sun will rise tomorrow. 1t can
not be otherwise. Americans are made of ster
ner stuff than to be forced into opinions which
they do not approve, for the sake of filthy lucre
There is many man, and ourselves among the
rest. who would sooner live on huskS, than suf
fer our rights to be thus wreSted from us. No
man who has the spirit Of man within him,
would succumb to such dictation. No; it he
must be turned out of employ, he would be turn
ed out of employ; if must starve, he would
starve; but never would he suffer his thoughts
to be usurped by another, or his vote to be held
atthe caprice of his employer. The thing would
utterly fail Of its object, even in this city; and it
ought TO fail. But what shall we say of the high
minded yeomanry of the country, most of whom
are their own employers, and who OF course are
beyond the reach of the proscriptive system?-
Would they not unite as one in putting it down
BY heir votes? Yes and they would do it ef-
fctualy. We trust there is no serious intention
with any party, to commit this political suicide;
out if there is, or shall be, here is our warning.
let il be remembered-forit is a word spoken in
season.-M y. Jour- Of Com.