Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

WINCHESTER, August 15.
PATRIOTIC MEETING.
On Saturday the 8th inst a Dinner was given at the Spring of Alfred H. Powell, esqr. by the citizens of Frederick county, friends of peace, expressive of their approbation of the firm, manly, and patriotic course pursued by the minority in the late session of Congress. in opposition to WAR--at which, two of that body, John Baker and Joseph Lewis, esquires: attended by invitation.
There were present at this Dinner, between one hundred and seventy, and two hundred persons, most of whom were freeholders, of the county, and ten of whom were respectable revolutionary heroes.
Before dinner was placed on the table, the gentlemen present were informed, that it was intended to submit to their consideration, several important resolutions respecting the present state of our country: whereupon, the Hon. Robert White was called to the chair, and Thomas A. Tidball, Esq. appointed secretary.
The meeting being thus constituted, Mr. Powell, after a short, but eloquent and appropriate speech, offered the following resolutions :--
" The preservation of our inestimable constitution, in its original purity, and excellence; and a continuation of those blessings, which, as a nation, we have so bountifully enjoyed under its influence, demands the most vigorous attention and anxious solicitude of every American, to the present awful and alarming situation of our country. From a state of security and profound peace, far removed from the vortex of European war; fortified by the God of Nature, against its desolating effects ; advancing with unparalleled rapidity to national power and greatness, and rich in the enjoyment of every blessing that results from individual freedom, happiness, and wealth; in a luckless moment we have, without suitable preparation, been plunged into a war, with the most powerful nation on earth--a war, unexpected at its commencement, incalculable in its consequences, & in its duration, beyond the reach of human foresight. Under such circumstances, it would be treason to our country, and treachery to our children, to surrender our constitutional right of investigating the conduct of those, who have brought upon us this dreadful calamity : of dispassionately weighing the causes, and deliberately calculating the consequences. In the exercise of this great constitutional right, is to be found at any time, the only constitutional remedy for the want of confidence in rulers, who would sacrifice their country, upon the altar of ambition, or, for that ignorance which would betray us to misery and ruin. The present crisis demands, in our opinion, a calm and dispassionate examination of our national situation, and a free, manly, and candid expression of public opinion.
Resolved therefore, That, although we disapproved of the late Declaration of War, because it appeared to us unwise, premature, and partial, as it respects the two great offending belligerents: yet, as the constituted authorities have declared it, we will defend, with our lives and fortunes, our beloved country, from every peril, and from every enemy, foreign and domestic.
2ndly. Resolved, That in the present state of things, nothing can save the nation, but a vigorous prosecution of that war which has been declared, accompanied with a sincere disposition to accept of an honourable peace, so soon as it can be obtained.
3dly. Without meaning to violate our private friendships and attachments -without meaning to impeach the private virtues, or patriotic motives, of those who now administer our government-but meaning only to discharge a public duty, which we owe to our country: Resolved, as the opinion of this meeting, That the administrators of the government of the United States, have, for a series of years past, by a misconception of the policy, views, powers, and resources of foreign nations, and of their relative connections and relations with each other and with us; by a want of foresight as to the effects, which their own measures were calculated to produce; by an incessant vibration from one point to another; by their weakness, imbecility, and want of political wisdom, and of nerve, demonstrated to our understandings, that they are incapable, in times like these, to hold with a firm and even hand, the reins of government, or to direct the mighty storm of war: Resolved moreover, That we fear that those prejudices, which seem to have seized upon their minds, and to have filled their whole souls, will disincline them to accept of overtures for a safe and honourable peace, should the gallantry of our little navy and of our army, compel the enemy to offer them.
4thly Resolved, That the unalienable rights of every freeman to investigate freely, every measure of his governors, and the fitness and capacity of all his rulers to fill the stations respectively assigned to them, and the right of removing in a constitutional way, such of them as the people deem unfit for office; and of course, the right of the citizens of these states to enquire into the wisdom and policy of the war which has been declared; and the capability of those who at present administer the government, to carry it on with energy and success, and their right to confide the destinies of the nation to those in whom they can place more confidence, do not conflict with, but comes in aid of, the sacred duty which rests upon us all to give vigor to the war, so long as it lasts.--That the government and the administrators of the government are separate and distinct things ; that an attempt to change the administrators when the public good requires it, is not to opposition the government, but is an actual support of it.
5thly. Resolved, therefore, That we will-by every honorable, manly, open, and constitutional means in our power, endeavor to put the government into the hands of those persons, who, in our estimation, possess the qualifications most likely to produce those results we have mentioned.
6thly. Resolved, That in making this declaration, we are influenced by no personal or party considerations, but by a sincere desire to see our country in war occupy the high ground on which she ought to stand, and to see her also speedily restored to an honorable and happy peace.
7thly. Resolved, That we will give our confidence freely, to honest, firm and enlightened men, who appear to possess correct views of the true interests of our country, by whatsoever names or political distinction they may have been known.
8thly. Resolved, That although we have differed in opinion on some points with our democratic brethren, we acknowledge and appreciate the virtue and patriotism of the great mass of them--we believe, if they have erred. it has proceeded from honest mistake-we esteem and love them as children in common with ourselves, of the same great family : nor shall the rudeness of a few violent men, tempt us to treat them with unkindness or disrespect.
Lastly. Resolved, That a committee be appointed to open a correspondence with such of our fellow-citizens as they shall judge proper, upon the important subjects mentioned in our resolutions, and that Charles Magill, Robert Page, Alfred H. Powell, James M. Marshall, Bushrod Taylor, James Ware, Dolphin Drew, George Linn, John B. Tilden, Ferguson Bell, John White, Bennett Hall James Bean, John Bell, Benjamin O. Rear, Lewis Wolfe, Samuel Baker, Francis Stribling, Leroy Daingerfield, Alexander Miller John Richards. William, Vanmetre, Robert C. Burwell, William Byrd Page, Joshua Gore, William Bayliss, Thomas A. Tidball, William Cook, Francis T. Masten, Henry Catlett, John Hay. William Carnagy, and William S. Jones, do form that committee.
Committee for Shenandoah.*
Joseph Arthur, John W Bayliss, Benjamin Blackford, William S Marie. John Thompson, Thomas Newell, Philip Peter Baker, George Lind, Gilbert Meem. John Arthur, Reverend George W. Snyder, John Evans, William Newell.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the chairman and secretary, and published in the Winchester Gazette.
On motion, Resolved, That this meeting do now adjourn.
ROBERT WHITE, jr.
Test.--Thomas A. Tidball.
In a short time afterwards, the company sat down to an elegant repast, prepared by Edward M'Guire, Esq. and after the cloth was removed, the following toasts were drank, accompanied by the united plaudits of the company.
The Honorable Judge White, and Doctor Linn, presiding--supported by Col. Magill, and Robert Page, esq. vice-presidents.
TOASTS.
1. Our Country, dear to our hearts-May its liberty and happiness last till time shall be no more.
2. The State we live in; her Statesmen wise, her chiefs brave, and her people happy-May no serious calamity compel us to lament the picture reversed.
3. The United States--May the man who attempts to disunite them, be stamped with disgrace and infamy.
4. Our Rulers-May they be endued with wisdom from on high ! may they perceive and pursue the true interests of their country !
5. The Constitutions of the United States; bottomed on a free representation of the people, the responsibility of the representatives to their constituents ; wise and equal laws, executed by enlightened and independent Judges, and virtuous Jurymen-These are the true principles of Federalism.
6. The Freedom of Speech and of the Press; their licentiousness restrained by constitutional laws, not by riotous mobs.
7. The Minority in Congress--Calm and dispassionate, as they have been firm, enlightened and patriotic.
8. The War--May they who saw its evils, be the first in the field to defend their country against every foreign and domestic foe.
9. Our Navy and Army-May patriotism nerve their arms, and victory crown their valour with never-failing glory.
10. The Militia, the legitimate defenders of a free government--Why are they not armed and disciplined ?
11. Party Spirit—If we cannot think alike, may virulence and malice be banished from among us; and may we meet one another on the field of fair argument only.
The members of this committee who reside in Shenandoah, were nominated at the particular request of several respectable persons from that county, who were at the meeting.
Countrymen—We believe that their intentions 12. The great mass of our democratic countrymen, it was from honest mistake; we embrace patriotic that they have erred them peace, health, and happiness.
Lewis, esquires: Well done, good and faithful 13. Our Guests, John Baker and Joseph servants May your good deeds procure you the plaudits of your countrymen, generally 14. The memory of the immortal Washington constituents particular 15. The memory of Greene, Hamilton, and all our departed heroes.
16. The Chief Justice of the United States May the affection of his country towards him be equal to his great merit.
17. The Addressors—They rest their vindication on facts, which cannot be contradicted, and arguments which cannot be refuted: Let passion be silent, and reason decide between them and their opponents.
Through the whole day, the utmost good order, harmony, and cordiality prevailed, and the company parted in the evening, in the most perfect friendship and good humour.