Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-10-22

existed, whose union was not ccerCed! If
they cannot refer us To Il single instance,
let them iecoilect that it is only to like cau-
ses that we are TO trace like effects, and
acknowledge that, in this instance, the cau-
ses being dissimiar, il IS Irrational to .e2i-
poet Ike effects.
6. The states which compose our confe-
deracy have never had any serious quarreis
with each other. The little disputes,
which, before the era of independence,
occasionally divided them, have long stree
disappeared, and the record OF their cXis-
tence is scarcely to De found on thc me-
mory of our oldest citizens, while cur young
men are as ignorant OF them IS if they had
never been.
z. There exists in all the states per-
feet freedom of religious worship. The
same scots, with various strength, are to nc
found in all In none is there any one sect,
whose strength can lead il 70 cherish the
hope of building up its tencts on the sub
version OF the rest. 1t must, perhaps, &c
acknowledged that there is no rcligi US
sect whatever, DC its professions what hey
may, that would not, i il had the power,
establish itself by The eXertion OF force IN
the ruins of the rest. If this be a truth, cur
safety against the fate OF the old world les
in the great number of scots that exists "a
mong US, and, perhaps, still moro n the
existence of a large body OF Tcn who BE-
long to 10 sect whatever 1t would not, it
is believed, be incorrect to say that thiS
last description Of men exceeds in point OF
numbers any one sect. There can then DC
scarcely a doubt that our exemption from
religious establishments Will long, if not
forever endure, as 1t may be calculated
upon as certain that this class Of citizens,
united with all the religious scots, other
than the one aspiring to dominion over
the rest, win command the physical force
of the nation, as wcil as guide its moral
decisions on tlIis point. From persecution,
therefore, the greatest scourgc OF human:-
", and cause OF discard, we are ent rely
free, and may calculate on long remaining
so.
s. Other contiguous states, united under
one common alliance, have frequently had
disputed boundaries OF the causes Of war
among men, this has been among the most
fruitiui. Il is in vain that reason no iess
than humanity have recommended q oeci-
sion by an impartial umpire; the sword
has invariably settled the dispute. The
United States have fortunately, among
themselves, no such Causes OF division -
Their. boundaries ere ali, except la a sin
gle instance, settled and this is so unim-
portant tn It there need be TO fear of ether
than pacific result.
9. The forms Of government ofthe several
states arc, in all Important respects, alike.
Solikewise are their codes OF laws. They
are every passing year becoming n re so
Political experiments are tired by them
with holiness and success which the
world has never before Witnessed; md
more impor5anC problems are solved in a
year, than have heretofore been decided
in a century. * SHcccss'ui experiment by
one state is sure 60 be followed By due
experiment by the rest and Whatever is
found to stand the test of full examination
is universally adopted. In no other pave Of
the world does there exist such an cnjsh-
tened and honorable spirit OF rivalry. Man,
left to his own dnperverted judgment, here
employs those energies in the promotion
of his FELICITY, which are elsewhere excrtcd
il forming and executing schemes which
issue in his misery.
= h. S;s--yaI !