Alexandria Advertiser And Commercial Intelligencer

From the Balance.

Observations respecting the invitation of Mr. Jefferson to Thomas Paine to come over to America.

THE marked attention and the lofty encomiums, which Mr. Jefferson has bestowed on Thomas Paine have excited, in the public mind, mingled emotions of astonishment and indignation. One of the most malignant and spiteful among the assassins of the reputation of Washington is distinguished by the applauses and affectionately invited to the embraces of Washington's successor in office. To America -to Europe to the world, it has been proclaimed, that this is the man whom Mr. Jefferson "delighteth to honour."

One of the most foul and virulent among the blasphemers of Christ, that this or any other age has produced--one of the bitterest scoffers at the Faith and Hope, which every christian holds dearer than life--one of the most proficient of zealots for the subversion of that religion, to enjoy which & to transmit it to their posterity, many of our forefathers fled to this land, that was then a howling wilderness, and, by their patient endurance of unsufferable hardships and dangers, laid the foundation of our extensive and flourishing empire, finally, one whose blasphemous writings overspread the land, like a mortal pestilence, have unhinged the principles, corrupted the hearts and blasted the hopes of thousands of the American youth, is publicly applauded by the first magistrate of our nation, and. with every mark of affection. and attachment is invited over to spend the residue of his life in this country.

When it was first announced, that Mr. Jefferson had, by a letter fraught with sentiments of high esteem, invited over Thomas Paine, it was positively denied by the democrats : and but faintly credited by the other party. Among the events of the present administration, we had already seen things that were passing strange : but the public mind was not yet prepared for the bestowment of presidential greetings and honours upon Thomas Paine. It was not expected that the President of the United States (whatever might be his own sentiments on religious matters) would have wounded the feelings and insulted the understandings of thousands and hundreds of thousands of people, in this country, by publicly applauding, caressing and inviting over a foreigner who had poured the most insolent contempt upon what they hold most dear and from whose pestiferous writings against religion they have been anxiously concerned to guard the rising generation. It was not believed that Mr. Jefferson (whatever might his private feelings) would have become the public encomiast of a man, who had most basely and shockingly traduced and insulted the venerable Washington and painted his character in hideous colours.

All this, however, has actually happened. Mr.. Jefferson did invite over Thomas Paine to this country; and his letter of invitation is in the train of high applause, and is expressive of the most cordial esteem. . Paine, brought over by the President's invitation, has arrived to our shores ! and has taken his stand at the seat of the federal government, from whence he has already sounded the tocsin to united America, in annunciation of his arrival, and of his former services and present importance. We pause to wonder !-We are lost in amazement!

It was but lately, that the whole country from New Hampshire to Georgia, and from the Atlantic to the utmost limits of the West, was shrouded, as it were in robes of mourning, and resounded with solemn dirges, at the loss of Washington, the pride and the boast of our country, who was "first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of the people." It was still more lately, when Mr. Jefferson himself, in his inaugural speech, professed a high veneration for the memory of that most excellent and beloved chief, as also, when he sobbed and wept at his tomb. And now we behold the ashes of Washington insulted, by the bestowment of distinguished attentions and honors on the insolent foreigner, who maliciously aimed to stab his character, and to destroy his hard earned and glorious fame.

ESEBIUS.

* This alludes to a lengthy address from Thomas Paine to the people of the United States, dated at the City of Washington.