Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-06-27

and influence, in common, with Virginia
and Massachusetts, the TWO oldest states
in the union.
In this view Of the subject, our present
form of government is the very best on
earth for great country Z: Ii combines the
freedom ard convenience of the smallest,
with the strength and protection oil the
largest. Our iedero-0a;Ionai system is
an improvement on all the governments
that has gone before IL. challenge the
greatest admirec Of antiquDy--lhe most
deeply read IN modern history, TO point
out one, either ancItnt o. modern, Chat IS
capable of communicating equal blessings
to the Inhabitants OF ah extensive Ierrito-
ny.
When the Romans extended their do
nlinions, they never co-extended1he righrs
of citizenship. Instead thereof, the new
members Of their empire became the sub
J;cts OF their ola citizens. isnc,, r-voits
and rebeilions were common. Very diff
t-rent is the policy of these states. Our
government, formed on wiser principles,
and founded on equal rights, has nothing
to fear from ar extension OF its boundaries.
With certain notifications, the ,lcre ex
tcnsive the better, as the security of the
component parts viii be increased thereby
---ior the strength Of the whole stands
pledged Tor the protection OF every part.
Ii can never be too large, I'll the parts are
so divided from each other, or The ex-
tremes so far asuDder, as not 20 admit the
convenient meeting OF deputies in some
central spot, for the purpose Of deliberat
ing on national concerns. This cannot be-
affirmed OF our present most extended IL
rnits. Arrangements are making. and
perhaps made, for transporting The mail
TO Washington, from ST. Croix and New
Orleans, i'm ten days from each. The dis.
tance Of these two extreme parts is, there
fore, no obstacle TO the inhabitants of both
coalescing, by their deputies, in one gene
raj Congress.
When the present constitution was I'M
der consideration for the purpose of adop
ton, DIRECTORS said it could never an
swer the United government Of the thir-
teen original states" The experience of
twenty eight years has proved the ia lacy
OF these predictions. From thirteen we
nave grown 10 seventeen states and yet,
are as well governed as ever. What is
to hinder our extension on the same hbe
RAJ pfncIo!es oil equal ilshts, I'LL we have
increased 10 twenty seven, thirty seven, or
any other number Of states that will con-
venien'iV embrace in one happy union
the Whole country from the Atlantic to
the Pacific Ocean, and from The lakes of
Canada TO ne Gulf of Mexico! Great God !!
All this country flied with freemen--wiih
citizens of the United States How must
the heart of every good man expand with
with 10Y in the prospect of so great an cx.
tension OF human happiness While the
Kingdoms Of the Old World are lettering
10 their OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES taxes
grinding their sublects---one war scarcely
ended, when ano;her is begun--it has
pleased the Eternal 10 erect representa-.
tive system of government in the woods
OF America, founded on reason and equali,
ty, the only Object Of which, is the happi
ness Of the people. When this govern
Inent had been carried on twenty eight
years for the nOhlest purposes, and with
the most extensive benefits, It has farther
pleased God TO double its limits, by a ces.
sion "i tcrr.Ory, %aIch brings the most de-
sirabie portion of our continent under the
operation of the best constitution IN the
world. Wei may the citizens of the u
nitcd States rejoice on the great event.
Yes; we have abundant reason to rejoice
on our own account, as being more imme-
diately Interested, and much also, on ac-
count Of our oppressed brothers of the hu
man race, all parts Of the world. Here
an asylum is not only opened, but in.
creased 10 an extent, sufficient for the sup
port of their countless numbers, in which
they may enjoy life, liberty and property,
without opp ession or disturbance.
Ifthc souls ofdeparted good men, know
what is passing on this earth what must
be the Joy of our beloved Washington on
this festive day He thought himself am
ply recompensed for all his tolls, in seeing
the happiness OF the thirteen original
states, With what increasing exultaiion
must he behold an extension of the same
rights, privileges, principles aud consim-
ton over an adhitiona, territory. capable
Of accommodating hundreds of millions of
happy inhabitants, who viii enjoy the fruits
OF his labors
LouIs1ANGANs You are no longer 70
Teigners or strangcs, but fellow citizens.
We give you most hearty welcome in