The New Hampshire Gazette

SUMMARY-FOREIGN.

No later dates than those which we communicated to our readers in our last, have been received from Europe. At the time they came away, it appeared that the French were still continuing to prosecute with dispatch measures for an invasion of Great Britain;—and that the British were vigorously busied in preparing to meet an invader. What will prove the issue it is impossible to say; but when we have daily proofs of the disasters which have and still involve hapless Europe in innumerable evils;—when we behold in that country, bleeding humanity sink beneath the repeated strokes of calamity;—when we repair to those scenes of intestine broils which agitate Great Britain, let us inquire into their causes and consider upon their consequences. No one would wish to dispute, we imagine, but what the contending powers bear their respective shares in the occasioning of the present contest; though we will allow, that the principles of some of them are more laudable than those of others. Yet may we not justly ascribe the primitive cause to the division of each nation among themselves? Allowing this Fellow-Citizens, ought we not to be zealous in avoiding that fate which has overwhelmed the far greater part of the known world? We cannot too much appreciate the blessings of our well-framed Constitution. If by a mistaken zeal of some, men are put in office who prove themselves unworthy or unqualified for their station;—with the people lies the power of remedying the same. Your taxes are few—your navigation and commerce flourish—your soil yields an abundant crop—you enjoy the rich blessings of peace; but with all this, you are fostering enmity one with another;—you are encouraging divisions at home—you are preparing (perhaps irretrievable) evils to your country and yourselves; you glory in freedom whilst ye are the slaves of your passions. What seems most surprising is, that (with a few exceptions) ye are not combating for your country, but each of you take an active part in applauding one and censuring another nation. How strange and yet how true this is Americans! Put aside these dissensions; no longer be biassed in your principles. We do not wish you to be blind to the virtues of other nations, nor advocate the cause of a more corrupted government; but we would caution you against using either of them as weapons to stir up the nation to divisions; we would have you to be Americans—true Americans. By pursuing the conduct you have hitherto done, ye are weakening yourselves, instead of improving the advantages of your dear bought but glorious liberty. Again, by weakening yourselves ye are strengthening your enemies. Reflect on this and duly consider that you are perhaps preparing to shackle your children and posterity with chains similar to those which once held in bondage the sons of Columbia. Let this awaken you to a right sense of your national dignity and resenting insults from foreign nations, do it impartially. By union at home you will become respected by all nations and the terror and dread of your enemies, and without this you are despicable in the eyes of all even yourselves, and may again fall a victim to the oppressive hand of despots and tyrants.