Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-01-23


principle of impartial justice-stand free from
so murderous a deed, lest you cali forth the spi-
rits of the dead to haunt you for act strong
" characterized by injustice, by cold and heart
less intolerance. We have gained a victory, !
and pray you let US celebrate it by less Attic
tive sports. In the excess Of our triumph, let
us moi immediate the long cherished doctrine of
Virginia. is he honest? is he capabe2-Let us
beware, that in erecting triumphal arch in
celebration OF our success, DO not dig
grave and decree funeral rights" to consdera-
tons ever ballowed and dear to Virginia. Sir,
justice and mercy are the concomitantS OF indi-
vidua and national magnanimity-let US not,
then, in the face of this truth, as Hannibal swore
eternal enmity TO Rome, swear eternal pros
cription to our meritorious, talented and nigh
minded brethren, who have the independence
to think for themselves, and to maintain some
opinions against ours. Let il be borne IN mind,
that ndscriminate political intolerance is one OF
the means by which, sometimes, our Admins
tration is placed in unworthy hands. Let It be
borne in mind, thai moderation in the the eXer-
else of power is Indispensable for the promotion
Of the happiness Of the people, and perpetual
ting Republican form Of Government. Let
it be borne in mind-yes, Mr.. Speaker-con-
stantly borne in mind, that no Republican form
of Government can long endure under system
Of proscription-tkat unsettles independence OF
mind, attacks the right Of opinion, establishes
a mental tyranny, hampers with the honesty OF
mankind and corrupts all the moral sources OF
our natures. Sir, enaphaticaliy repeat the en-
Quiry does it become Us, as Virginians, by one
sweeping denunciaton, to pass the sentence OF
prescription upon those of our fellow citizens,
as intelligent, high minded and patriotic as our
selves, who cnnscientiously differ with us upon
some of the leading questions OF the nation, and
have the independence to maintain that differ
ence Of opinion against eren cur GRATED SefresF
Sir, it should be our pride as men, as Nlrglnlans,
as the Representatives Of the people, TO observe
consstency-yes, sir, we should be consistent
we should take care and not practice ourselves,
what we have so much condemned in others
we should take care and not adopt a course OF
conduct that has its foundation in violence and
injustice-a course of conduct that has beg
CARED the soldier Of rs, and turned adrift upon
the wide world, pennyless and helpless, those
whom the illustrious Washington took to his
confidence and invested with his favor" Does
not this admonish us Of the sad and evil conse-
quences Of this doctrine ofproscrption? Does
it not inform us Of the peril by which we are
surrounded, of the ruin it may bring iorth?-
Should we not then, as prudent men, pause,
and ponder well what is to follow; but one step
farther, and it will he too late-the Rubicon will
have been crossed-but one impulse more, and
the fatal stain is upon our record; and this an
cient Commonwealth will have been driven from
her generous and republican moorings, and
caused to enlist in the heartless, arbitrary and
destructive work OF prescription. Mr. Speak
er, this doctrine OF prescription should be re-
garded as the EGG which is to bring forth
brood Of mortal consequences" In Gods
name, its mSerieS are spread widely enough al
ready-its miserable outcasts are to be met with
in all the various walks of lifeits tale Of pity
and OF woe can be told by the grey headed ia.
Their, and the lisping babe-its victims. for the
most part, are marked by penury and want, and
are to be found all over this nation lingering in
sad and merciless misery on The confines of life
and death. And shall We outrage the moral sense
and generous feelings OF Virginia, by perpetual
ting it here? Shall we, by the vote ofths day,gi
il additional life and strength, by Incorporating
it as part ofour future policy? MOI MIR. Speak
er: Sir, no-let us follow no path that will con-
duct to public injury, injustice, perjury and
wretchedness: and it is this path of prescription
that will conduct us to scenes like these And is
it possible, Sir that it is here, in this ancient Hall,
where the lessons of federation and free princi-
pies have been so ably inculcated by Henry
and Jefferson--is it, say in this Hall, that no
merit no services can save the unhappy secta-
ry who does not supplicate at the feet of the
majority, who does not believe in the creed OF
those in power? Shall we now, in the paroXysm
of party rage and animosity, drink to the dregs,
the chalice of bitterness Il death, which we have
therefore, dashed Indignantly from our lips?-
Shall we now feast in pleasure upon scenes
which heretofore we have seemed to loalhe and
sicken at2 Sir, cannot, will not believe that
the demoRof prejudice and party will be suffer
ed, upon all occasions, whether appropriate or
otherwise. to influence the judgment of this
House. The old dominion will not suffer the
fountain of her laws to be so poisoned. was
about 10 say, prostituted She will revolt at such
a departure from her ancient just and noble
course. Her generous BOSOM like that of some
tender and affectionate mother at some crisis
big with fate of her offspring, will, in deep an
guish, indicate;her affection and remorse at even
the possibility Of such an event. Prescription,
ndiscriminate, sweeping, broadcast party pro-
scription. has never been tolerated by her wis
dom, or approved by her conscience; and can it
be believed that by contrary practice now, she
will fasten gangreen upon the body politic-de
stroy the paramount blessing of our terrestrial
sojourn by tearing out, by the very roots the
heart of form Of government, since its estab-
lishment, the proudest hope of civilized man.
Sir, will not believe, until the vote ofths House
shall powerfully force me 10 the belief that Vir
gnia will suffer prejudice rancorous political
prejudice the acknowledged instigator ofhuman
error, and the universally admitted lever of hui
man injustice, to influence her course in this cleo
ton. She has never attempted to arrest the free