Alexandria Daily Advertiser

From the NEW YORK CITIZEN,

(A well known democratic paper.)

PHILADELPHIA MEMORIAL. We publish from Poulson's paper a paragraph on an intended memorial to congress from the merchants and traders of Philadelphia, praying, "for such a peace as shall be consistent with the honor and welfare of the nation? If peace can be preserved upon these grounds, it would certainly be preferable to war. If the memorialists asked for a peace that would surrender a national right or tarnish the national honor, they would deserve the most pointed reprobation of their fellow citizens. It may be worth while for our merchants and traders to consider whether a similar memorial would not be expedient from the more opulent and flourishing city of New York.

It is said by a Philadelphia paper that perverts every thing that is good to every thing that is bad, that one of the objects of the memorialists of that city is to obtain a repeal of the Non-Importation Act, and they are therefore charged with being British agents, tories, quids, quadroons, Yazoo men, refugees, traitors, &c. &c. all which is very easily written, but because it is very foolish. He who solicits a "peace that shall be consistent with the honor and welfare of the union," asks for war when such a peace cannot be maintained.

But grant that one of the objects of the memorialists is to obtain a repeal of the Non Importation act, what can be more obvious than that it ought to be repealed? That act is now suspended, and therefore while it is of no advantage to the U. States, it may be of disservice in our negotiations, for although it may be well calculated to irritate, it is not formidable enough to frighten. It is a very partial non importation act-it prohibits but a very few articles.

Why should the suspension be taken off and the act again be put in force? In case of an amicable adjustment of our differences with England, the act would be worse than useless. Reverse the supposition; say that our differences are not only not so adjusted, but that there is no prospect of an amicable termination of them -what then should we do? Revive the Non-Importation act? It would be setting a mosquito to worry an ox. No, on that supposition something infinitely more energetic should be resorted to. Non Importation acts although shallow politicians have clamored much about them, are the last steps to which we should resort as a means of obtaining justice.

When at peace we should be really peaceful, and when at war, like a nation proud of its independence and anxious for its honor we should be warlike. I have always thought, and think still, that Britain must ultimately be coerced to do us justice: I wish I may be mistaken, and I hope that I am; but if not, away with non importation acts. The least first step that we could with anything like honor take, would be an embargo.