Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

COMMUNICATION
A FEW PLAIN REASONS Why the Federalists ought to stay at home during the approaching Election in Maryland; or, if they vote at all, why they ought to join the ruling party.

Now, Mr. Printer, as I always like to put the best foot foremost, I shall produce my strongest reason first; and this is, that it might be very prejudicial to the interest of any honest, industrious, painstaking man, to take an active part against the administration in the present contest. Do you suppose that any man who votes for the Federal Ticket will ever get an office? No; and in the name of Patriotism, what are we contending for? Offices, surely. Some will talk to you about Independence of Principle: this is a mere bubble. Don't you know that one of the best of our poets says,

"Worth makes the man, the want of it the fellow"?

The explanation of this is obvious: Take another poet's words:

"And what is worth in any thing
But so much money as 'twill bring."

So here we have a most powerful argument on the side of Interest. But I have some others to advance.

I ask you, Federalists of Maryland, What comfort you find in voting at all? You know that the Democrats have frequently overpowered you of late: You can therefore coolly content yourselves at home, and thinking on the folly of opposing the majority, you can exclaim, in Gabriel's language,

"Satan, I know thy strength, and thou know'st mine"

Thus you can give up the contest, as it would be not only a dangerous but an unnecessary struggle.

But, further, would it not be ungrateful to turn out men who have been, and still are, so anxious to serve you, merely for your own good? Shall we dilly-dally about a few French privateers, when the Emperor loves us so much? I hope not.

See how prosperous the country now is: every thing goes on swimmingly. Our Commerce is as prosperous as heart can wish. Therefore, I say, none but Tories will oppose the present administration: for even if some of our affairs have turned out rather unlucky, they may get better; and at any rate,

"'Tis better far to bear the ills we have,
Than fly to others that we know not of."

Think of these things and vote accordingly.

A CITIZEN.