Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

A Change is Necessary: This opinion is rapidly spreading and we trust will not only extend, but ripen into fact, until those who have proved their incompetency shall be removed from stations which enable them to bring ruin and disgrace upon our country. Further progress in the elections of New York is given in this day's paper, and must be consoling to those who feel that "a change is necessary." The democratick papers (such of them as have ventured to notice these elections) confined the change to the city of New York, and ascribed it to British merchants and agents, which in their language, infest our great cities. But alas! their troubles are not confined to cities. The voice of the farmers, millers, and people generally of the inland counties of that state, have been raised, and they have said "a change is necessary." We admit that the multitude in great cities are not always inclined to moderate and temperate discussions, although there is generally much information and talent. In general we look into the country for the opinion of the nation the farmers and planters are not hasty in forming opinions, but when formed they will be expressed.

It is time that thinking men of all parties should unite in their efforts to snatch the nation from the brink of ruin. No care not in what situation you are, nor what are your pursuits or avocations, but you must declare that your circumstances, as regard property and comforts, are within the last twelve years infinitely changed for the worse. Those people now in power, found our country progressing in wealth and happiness, and to use the words of their leader himself, "in the full tide of successful experiment."

What is now our condition? The most hardened partisan, of the administration, cannot deny the fact, that the change is great, and for the worse; but they attempt to palliate their follies (if nothing worse) by ascribing all to the injustice of the belligerents. It could not be expected, that in a contest like that which is raging in Europe, it was possible to prevent the United States from feeling some of its deleterious effects. It was in our power however, by a steady, honest course of neutrality to have avoided many of the evils we have experienced. There was a strong inclination to mingle in the contest, not openly, but covertly-because the people were not to be openly made parties to a war on the side of the most ruthless despotism, that ever scourged mankind. No! No! Non-importations, embargoes, &c. were the weapons that we were to use, which have done no serious mischief, except to ourselves. The more the state of our publick affairs are examined, the more every one will be satisfied that "a change is necessary."