Alexandria Daily Advertiser

Alexandria Daily Advertiser.

FRIDAY, APRIL 13.

The men who now sit at the helm of power, have found it very convenient, since the death of Washington, to profess, on many occasions, a high respect for his virtues, and to express a just sense of his unparalleled services in the cause of his country. The evidence to them has been too strong to be resisted, that Washington lived in the hearts of all honest Americans. With a view to preserve popularity, it was generally a rule among the reigning sect never directly to attack Washington himself, while living, but to use all their influence to decry his measures. This plan of operations a late writer has ascribed to high authority; and added, that the reasons assigned for such a procedure were, that the friends of the deceased hence would not be able to prove the hatred cherished towards him, by the present ruling party-- and further, that by these means they should be able to sink his weight and influence by slow gradation. but yet sink it effectually. But, that if on the other hand they should aim a blow in open day, the magnitude of the crime would shock the country; the views of the party be stripped their nakedness, and the party itself be deserted by the people. It is very certain that this mode of proceeding was strictly adhered to by the great men of the faction during the life time of Washington, though to be sure, the subordinate agents could not always be kept in check; but, on the contrary, not unfrequently by their slanders, and various personal attacks, betrayed not only the baseness of their own hearts, but the malignity and wickedness of their patrons.

Since the decease of Washington, those who in private asperse his character while he lived, but in public pretended to cherish much veneration for him, (I mean the great ones of the party) have been more openly assiduous to impress a belief on the public mind that they "loved him living and lamented him dead." there are but few men of candor and penetration who will hesitate to avow their belief, that there was full as much of religion in the motives of the visit of King Henry to the tomb of Thomas A. Becket, as of affection and respect towards Washington; in this presidential visit to the family vault of the departed hero and statesman.

At this day events frequently transpire which serve to convince us that many of the leaders and advocates of the party who have sought their pre-eminence, through paths which were never enlightened by the rays of virtue and honor, are guilty of the grossest hypocrisy in their professions.

How can any one possessed of admiration for Washington even comprehend those who caress, toast and flatter, who vilely traduced the character and vainly has attempted to depreciate the services rendered to his country by Washington, ever labored any affection for that illustrious that they at this time cherish even the least honest respect for his memory? Impossible.

In the moment of conviviality, the real sentiments of the heart are expressed; sentiments which in the ordinary intercourse of life the possessor thinks proper to conceal, from prudential motives. At a late feast at Petersburg, Virginia, instituted to celebrate the acquisition of Louisiana, one of the company gave as a toast, "Thomas Paine, who never gave pain except to the enemies of his country." Of what materials think you, reader, is that man composed, who could give such a toast, after reading the infamous letter of Paine to Washington? But be not surprised, but a few years will elapse, before those who yet think proper to preserve some appearance of respect for the memory, of that great man, will entirely throw off the disguise which they wear in their sober moments; and when they think the people prepared to admire the detestable opinions of the party in the fullest extent, will probably pronounce him to have been an enemy to American freedom and independence.

(Ch. Cour.)