Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-02-29

on SATURDAY, February 1871, 1904:
BY BENJAMIN WATKINS LEIGH.
WaILE yet the Mississippi was the
western cOriine ofthe United States, they
comprehended one Of the faires, portions
Of the globe. When the present chief
magistrate was called to the presidency,
by the voice ~ his country, the most san
guine patriot had hardly hoped an acces-
sion OF territory, in extent, in fertility, in
every natural advantage, equal TO that we
already erioyed. The most ardent friends
of man had Ii lie dreamt, that the golden
hour approached, when freedom should
extend the blessings Of her empire, over
the vast and bDundIess regions OF L0uisi-
ana--Phiiosophy, INDUCING in her most
visionary sp-culations on The perfe ctbilitv
of human r-aspn and human happiness,
had not expected to behold, in times like
these, one nation ceding an extensive do
minion TO another, without the influence
Of fear, injustice, or oppression, without :,
sigh OF repentance, or murmur of dis
couie n,. Nor had the enemies Of repub
lican principles, much as they feared from
the wisdom anA virtue Of a republican adj
ministration, ever anticipated, that the nc
QUESTION OF louisiana, by p-aceabc and
honorable means, was destined to blast
and cOnfound all their hopes and schemes
of resurrection and ambition.
If the people Of the United States will
compare, or rather contrast their situation
with that OF the other nations of the globe
they will then, and then only, learn 90 ap.
precjate their happiness. II we contrast
the feelings, that prevail upon this festive
day, with those, which induce, agita,e and
embitter tho triumphs, lluminati0ns and
festivals Of the old world, we shall be struck
with the wide discrimination between
them. If We contrast the acquisition of
Louisiana, under all its circumstances
with the national transferrences Of terri
tory which appear or the records Of histo.
~, we shall Ind, that there never was an
occasion which more amply han the pre-.
sent, justified thee cnusi ms Of public
gratitude and joy. The reflect viii be
instructive IN itself, and the result will be
honorable to our country.
When, in Europe, they commemorate
the birth day Of 4 prince or celebrate the
coronation Of a king, it is not the people,
lut the proud oppressors Of the people,
tha rejoice. The multitude, indeed, pre-
pare lhe festival, and listen to the revclry
OF noble and Of royal mirth: But. while
their naughty masters quaF the fow-
ing bowls Of luxury, which the hands ul
labor have filed, the wretched children
OF poverty must weep in silence over their
woes and wants, and learn 10 starve with
quictuess and content. Or, is some splen-
did victory the occasion Of national festi
witty ? Ambition gozes with rapture on The
rich and varied scene Of carnage, traces
with delight. the sauguinary course OF Che
demon Of death and des laiiou aud would
willingly drink, as the delicious beverage
of glory, the bood->taincd waters Of the
Rhin or Of tho Danube --i}ut the nation
at lar ge--whereiore, sbould Mey rejoice
What have tley gained by this waste Of
human life l--Perhaps, another title IS
tackled to the iliustrlous style Of their mo-
march :. While manyapareni's grey hairs
are boV ed down in sorrow to the grave ;
and ma ny widowed mother presses her
orphan afant to her bosom, agonlzsd By
n