Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

From the BALTIMORE TELEGRAPH.
COMMUNICATION

I SHOULD be much surprised at the mode
Of argument that prevails with certain members
Of the representatives in congress, were there
Not abundant reason to believe that there exists
A party there, whose politics connect the interests
Of their country with those of France. Nay—
From the tenor of the speeches of many, if they
Are rightly given, one would even be justified in
Supposing that there are members, who, though
Allied to their country by every tie that can and
Ought to form the tone and direction of a patriot's
conduct, are ready to yield the honor and
The interests of their own, to the views and ambitious
projects of another.

When I see, day after day, wasted in debate,
On the right, propriety and policy of employing
Means for insuring security and freedom to our
Commerce, insulted and abused as it is, by an
Ungenerous and brutal enemy, presuming upon
Its defenceless state; when I see time, precious
And important, unprofitably consumed, in settling
The nicety of words; in adjusting phrases,
And selecting epithets; when, in place of that
Frank and determined tone which men of spirit
And independence, who indignant at insult and
Violence offered to their rights would use, I see
A cautious phraseology; a scarce audible murmur
Of complaint, breathed with the tremulous
Accent of coward caution.—I am justified
In believing, either that there is an ascendancy
Of a foreign influence in the house, or that
There is a prevalent dread of exerting the power
We possess of repelling the unwarrantable infractions
Of the freedom of the seas. Are we
Then sunk so low? Are we so fallen from the
Character of manhood, that we dare not even
Complain of the violation of our rights? Are
We so destitute of that noble passion, that fervid
Enthusiasm which swells the patriot heart, and
Impels to deeds of glory, that we dare not even
Make an effort for defence against the overbearing
Inclemency of a treacherous foe? Are we so
Prone, so prostrate, so debilitated and debased, that