Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-10-27
from the NATIoNAL INTELLICgNcER.
I o t II L = Z OPT. L.
TIE ID re NOE.
No. TX.

Passing on TO a view Of the measures
oi the war department OF the government,
we are naturally led to offer a few remark
on the policy of the United States. There
is probably 10 civilized nation on Garth
whose welfare is not connected with The
maintenance OF peace. We, true, and {
ven trite as this observation ia, there is
scarcely a Single nation that long main
lains il. The ambition OF rulers, the pre-
Jud'ces % the people, the injustice ofnati-
ons, are The constant causes that hind.e
wars for which a plausible protest is ne
Yer wanting. When, therefore, tne Unit
cd States took rank among the indcpen-
dent nations of the earth, and hell out the
promise OF u free government, in which
Che oppressed nigh, fad al asylum, il was
with a deep and learftl anxiety that the
Phiianthropis, market. The steps which >h.
took. The enemies of republican insiitu
lions predicted Internal divisions and ex.
lernal wars; end ANNOUNCED the early
dissolution Of her union. In The first sta.
ges OF the government, bot, before and
after the formation Of lhe constitution, too
many grounds of apprehension arose. An
Indian war, disasifous.y pursu-d, was
succeeded by an insuti ec(iun, and in tn,
rear were observed some dark olnens or
war with Britain, and aGerw ards with
France, the most pc" ertIl nations of IL
rope. During this alarming period the re-
nublicaus deCidred themselves the friends
Of peace and their efforts promised bu,
little success in ionser avertIng WAX, when
public opiuion placed i!,e goyerumen, in
heir haads. Then the voice of faction
sounded still loude', and proclaimed al
impending War with Eagtand, long since
charged upon the members of the ad,ni.
nist'a 0i as iavorile Toeas,te.
Pour years l.a,e nearly c'apssd, aud
ihese awful warnings have tu,ned out TO
be g mere Il! ,ifs," end have dissolved IN
to thin aiy." Al impending alarm has
been removed. he saVagca have beer,
nushed into p,n!Uund peacc, The whole
interior - hi, ssrd w',h harmony, ~.
has not been disturbed jn tha smales dis
;ricE in the union, the citizens have moi ii.
\ single rerIousu2nCe complained OF So
lj'ary grievance, aud al uone is al Deac,
With is. Has :his been h.cled bv wa,
military apparatus by az impressive dis
p;ay oi Cannon and bagoue's and Uniform
No. The first measure OF the pdmiis-
tralion was, es we have already seen, to
reduce the army from five TO ,hree thou
sand men; thereby Diminishing the annual
EXPENSE of $4,000 dollars. With this
sinai! force, every necessary purpose Of
all army has been answered, and this too
amidst circums anccs of no little dlficul-
~. When the present Secretary came
into ONCE, he found the department in
that situation that necessarily arogs from
the character ofhis predecessor. tits not
the end Of these remarks to make iniur-
Gus refl 6iions on the last administration
not absolutely necessary to iIiucidaie the
view We are taking. But it is a faC}.
whose noioriety Cannot be extc dcd, tbal
the former secretary wa as lutte uualid-
ed for the transaction Of the business dc.
VOWED upon hun as, perhaps, any man liy-
ing.
The war deparimsnt requires regular
attention ;ouumerous details, and prompt
decision Upnn occurring cases. Whatever
may have been the attention bestowed bv
Mr.. M'Iicnry. his measures were takes
Win 50 much tardines3 that The simplest
operation was prOtracied cntili,s utility was
neatly lost. Ills table was soon covered
with an accumulation Of business; every
thing was DELAYED, and much was entire
I ly lost 10 he heap. The best friends of
I he administration called aloud for re-
form.
J his reform was attempted by general
! Dearborn with what success the public
has long since seen. With habits direct
" opposite 20 those Of his predecessors be
has restored the energy and regularity so
essential 10 al military arrangements.
With a much smaller sum dian that al
lowed under the preceding administration,
he has preserved peace ON the frontiers
and has Distributed The force IN such a
manner as fully 10 protecl the foriGcer-
ons. Nor ought it 70 be Omitted tina, the
acquisition Of Louisiana has not augment.
ID tie army a man, or cost the nation lor
that purpose a single cent.
Some Slight dissatisfaction has arisen
IN relation to The treatment OF Col. But
Ter, and the arrangement of certain Oil
Gers. But the former IS the acl Of coui
/ martial, and the punishment he has re
ceivcdi,in truth .hato: political fdcnde