Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

From the Whig.

SMOKE--WITHOUT FIRE.

The decay of faction has advanced in proportion to the appearance of unanimity and energy in the national councils. So great is the influence of a respected government over the feelings and opinions of the people! Congress ought not to be inattentive to this effect of a cause which has root among themselves. For, the thinking part of the people still enquire, "Are Congress in earnest?" They properly suppose that 10,000 men are unequal to any important service; as in case of war, 50,000 would be few enough--for a descent on the British dominions; and no less than 50,000 more would be required along the Atlantic coast--What pity, then, that so much time and so many fine speeches have been wasted about a paltry force scarce numerous enough for the advanced guard of an army! Volunteers cannot be had till they are convinced of the sincerity of the government.--Were men even disposed to volunteer their services, only 50,000 can be accepted.--But offer--their services they will not, till congress give the nation some surety of being in earnest. The Americans cannot be longer deceived by speeches and resolutions--Like Junius, they "measure the integrity of men by their conduct, not by their professions." The paucity of the resolution army and the abandonment of proposition for an armed commerce, outweigh the war speeches, in the scale of reflecting men. They know that these and a few more topics may afford cause of debate till March or April, when another negociation is expected--but, if a greater force be not raised, they will rationally conclude, that congress only meant to amuse the public, and pass the time without doing any thing. When this conviction becomes general, it were better for congress to have made no stir whatever, than to have betrayed their trust and deceived the people!