Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-03-21


have this day heatd no longer require
that document or any other documen, -
indeed do not know tina, ever should
nave required ito vote on the resoluti-
on OF The gentleman from Pennsylvania.
II had entertained any doubts they would
nave been removed by the style in which
tue iriends oil the resolution have this
morning discussed it. | am perfectly a.
ware, that on entering upon this subject,
we go into 1T manaclcd--hand cunud,
and tongue tied; gentlemen know that
our lips are sealed, on subjects OF mo.
rnentous foreign relations, which are in.
dissoluoly linked with the present questi-
on, aud which would serve 20 throw a
great light on ii;---in every respect rele-
want to II. l will, however, endcayor Ia
hobble over the subject, as well as nv
fettered limbs and palsied tongue will e.
nable me TO do il.
am not surprized TO hear this reseIu.
ton discussed by It's friends as a war mxa.
sure They say (il is lrue) tina, it is not
war measure; but they defend it on
principles which would justify none but
war measures, AID seemed pleased with
The idea that it may prove the forerunner
OF war. Ii war is -necessary--if We have
reached this point, let us have war. Bu,
while have life, will never consent r.
, these incipient war measures, which. IN
'heir commencement breathe nothing but
peace, though they plunge US at last INTO
war. 1t has been well observed bv The
gentleman from Pennsylvania behind m },
Mr. J. Clay that the situation ofth,s ma.
ton IN 1898, was in every respect diffe.
rent from that in which it finds itself in
1906. Let NE ask, too, if The situation
OF England, is not since mate rialIv .h,nr-
ed! Gentlemen, who, it would snneor
from their language, have not got be; Ind
the horn-oook OF politics, talk ofour sb,l,.
~ 10 cope with the British navy, and lei,
ms Oh the war OF our revolution. VIVA,
was the situation of G.. Britain then
che was then contending for the empire
oil the British Channel, barely able TO
maintain a doubtful equality with her e.
iiemies, over whom she never gained the
superiority until Rodney's victory of Nh.
i2tb of April. What is her pres.n, :;
tuation The combined fleets of France,
SPAN, and Holland are dissipatec, ,bey
no longer exist. | am not surprised To
hear men advocate these wild opinions.
10 see them goaded OF by spirit of mer.
camille avarice, siraining their feeble
strength 10 excite the nation to war. WHEN
they have reached this stage of infatuati.
on, that we are an over match for Cre.,
Britain on the ocean. 1t IL mere ,v..,..
OF time to reason with such persons. They
DO not deserve any thing like serious re
futation. The proper arguments for such
statesmen are strait waiscoat, a darL
room, water cruel, and depletion.
IL has always appeared 10 me that there
are three points TO be considered. and
maturely considered before we can he
prepared to vote for the resolution of The
gentleman from Pennsylvania. Ff,st.
Our ability 10 contend with G., Britain
Tor the question in dispute: Secondlu.
The policy ofsnch contest: and Third.
ly. In case both these shall be settled af.
hrmStIyeiy, the manner in which we can.
with the greatest effect, react upon and
annoy our adversary.
Now the gentleman from Massacbu.
sets (Mr. Crowninsheld) has settled AZ
single sweep, to use one of his fayorite
| expressions, not only that we are canahla
OF ccntending with G.. Britain on the oce.
an, out 'hat We sre actually her superior.
W heace does the gentleman deduce this
inference Because, truly, at that time
when G. Britain was not mistress Of RI.
ocean, when a North was her prime mi.
mister and a Sandwich the first lord ne boz
admiralty, when she was governed by a
counting house administration, priyateers
oil this country trespassed OH her com.
merce. SO, too, did the cruizers of Dim.
kirk. AT that day Suffrein held the mas.
terry OF the Indian seas. But what is the
case now! Do gentlemen remember the
capture OF CORVALLIS on land because
lie Grasse maintained tho dominion nj
the ocean! To nay mind no position il
more clear, than that If we go to war with
U. Britain, Charleston and Boston. The
chesapeake and the Hudson will he in.
vested by British squadrons. will YOU
call ON the count dc Grasse TO relieve
them, or shall we apply to admiral Crawl.
na' or admiral Villeneuve to raise the
blockade! But you have not only a nros-
pect OF gathering glory, aud what seem.
10 the gentleman. from Massachusetts
much dearer, profit, by priva,eerire, but
you WIZ be able to make conquest Of
Canada and Ncu, C.