Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-09-08
liz Ia CENTS SIN cLE.]

IN all climates, and under all ci cumstanc-
es; and The iairesi Inheritance for our pos
'erity, they should never-it was firmly ass
serted-they should never be abandoned
but with life.
y. These were the sentiments Of your pre-.
decessors--were they wrong were the
patriots who composed your councils, mis-
taken in their political principles did The
heroes who died in their defence, seal u
ialse creed with their blood No they
were not wrong! the admiration Of the
world, the respect sull paid TO the living,
lhe Venera'ion accorded 10 the memory of
the dead, attest the purity OF their princi-
pies, and prove the truth of those maxims,
which rendered their lives blessing to
their country, and their deaths glorious in
IT'S defence; are truths then so well founded,
so universally acknowledged inapplica bls
only TO us do political axIoms ON the At
'apnc, become problems, when transferred
20 the shores OF the Mississrppi! or are
The unfortunate inhabitants Of these repi-
ons lie only people who arc excluded from
those equal rights, Acknowledged in your
declaration OF independence, repeated in
the efficient state constitutions, and rati.
he'd by that of which We claim TO be a
member! Where, we ask respectfully,
where is the circumstance that is TO ex-
ciude us from a participation In these
rights Is 1t because we have not hereto
tore enjoyed them This on the contra
ny would seem reason 10 hasten the com.
municalion, TO indemnify us by futurity
OF freedom, for the years we have been
deprived of it, and enable u, experiment
ally, 10 compare the blessings Of free
government with the evils of another do.
uilnion. But the present situation of af-
fairs, iorIns no pleasing contrast with that
which is past; and if we did not coune
with confidence on change in The system
you have adopted, the prospect before US
would not afford matters for consoiatory
anticipation; for though period is fixed
Tor the absolute government placed over
us Tho year may terminate, the equal.
~ objectionable sys'em which succeeds it. 4
yet what is TO follow Liberly? Self
government Independence ard par.
tIciPaiidn IN the advantages Of The Union,
1t those were Offered 10 Us as he reward
oil certain term OF patience and submls-.
sion, though we could not acqulesce i'm
ihe justice OF the proce dure, We should
nave some consolation in our mis- fortune
but no manifestation Of what awaits Us at
the expiration of The law, is yet made.
we may then again become the vietims
OF ialse iniormation, of has.y remark, or
preJudlced opinion; We may then again
be told that we are incapable of managing
! our own concerns, that the period of eman-
clpailoh is not yet arrived, and chat when
in the school of slavery, we have learned
now TO be free, our rights shall lie restor.
ed. Upon the topic to which this leads
we are reluctant 10 speak--but ulisrepre-
scented and insulted, it cannot be deemed
improper to shew how ground.ess are the,
calnmnies which represent W., IS in state.
| OF degradation, unfit TO receive the boon
OF freedom. How far any supposed inca
pacity, TO direct the affairs of our own,
country, would release the United States
from their obligation, TO confer upon nc.
the rights OF citizenship, or upon wbat
principle they are 10 become the Judges of
mat capacity, mighi, we believe, fairly be-
questioned--ior we have surely not be-
come less tit Tor the task, since the sigma.
tnre oil the treaty, than we were before
that Period--and that no such incapacitv
|
from the terms of that instrument. which
declares that VIC are to be admitted a.
soon as possible, according 10 The princi-
pies Ct the constitution. 1.-THE Uni,ed
STATESMEN may postpone the performances
OF this engagement until in their opinion
1t may be proper to perform II, of whar
validity is the compact, or can that be CALL
ed one, of which the performance de-
J ponds only on the will of the coDtraainp.
party.
But IL capacity is to be the criterion
and information the preliminary requisite,
Of our admission, let us respectfully en-
quire what is the nature Of this CAPACITY.
and Information, and where il wi! most
probably he found. by the distribution OF
powers between the general aud state 90
vernments, the former have the exclusive
/ superlntendance Of all external relations.
and Of those internal arrangements, which
regard the several states in their national
capacity; the Fesiduary powers, retained
by the states, are more limited IN their o.
pcratious, and require in their exercise q
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