Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-11-11
VIRGINIA ARGUS.
r / c H NJ o N ID:
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER IL, 1906.

The important Foreign Intelligence which
appears in this days Argus, indicates the
present period as the most portcntous and
'eventful which the world has known FOR
many ages. The death of Mr. Fon, has
extinguished the last ray Of peaceful hope.
which began to giimrer on the prospects
OF am oppressed people. II is almost GER
tain that Europe is again to exhibit a more
extensive scene OF human butchery than
ever. Whatever part Of Europe may be
the theatre of dcsoiaticn, whatever pow
iers NAV be enlisted in the contest, this new
wor must, result in the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
the present enormous power of France in
the Discontinue, exhaustion and perhaps
destruction OF her enemies
The capacitY Of France to resist and G.
ven TO subdue the rest Of continental Eu-
rope, is n truth too apparent TO be denied
b. any person of observation, whatever
may be his wishes on the SUBJECT. And in
this state of things, it is difficult to conceive
what direful infatuaticn, what III fatcd 20
llcy could have impciied the potentates of
Europe, to renew a contest, to them 50 Ger
tainly fatal, and to their subjects SO fraueht
with misery and desolatiOn. Is it that
they think themselves bound to pursue the
beaten tract Of their ancestors of the last
age, who had two mo,ives for attacking a
fend itself, and the ether becaus. il was too
strong; ambition impelling them in the enc
case and jealousy in the other? Wretched
Princes! you should rccollect that a policy
which in the last age. was only Stnbid and
alniust change ofcircumstances has rem
dered dangerous in this. Formerly indeed
q single power might be too strong for one
OR more Of the others, but it is only of late
that Europe has witnessed state of things.
where enc is superior to all the rest.
Whist this is the case, tits madness to at
tempt to controul the destnes of ma
ton, OF thirty -four millions of Dcorlc,
whose energies have been sublimed to the
acme of military ferocitv and VIII be eu-
del by the practiscd wisdom Of the greatest
military tclents.
The conduct Of Britain in urging on the
powers or Europe 20 this new contest, is as
Httle defensible Oh the grounds Of sound po-
hcy, as upon those Of Justice ard humanitq
II is natural enough that the cold blooded,
but bloody Statesmen who rule that coun-
try, should be incapable of synpsthizing,
with the losses ard suiferings Of their delu-
ded allies-itis also true that a continental
war may reglovc the immediate fearof inva-
sion. But she ought to fearieast France after
triumphing OYER her enemies, VIII return to
her schemes OF hostility with renovated
strength, at once more formidable and
more implacable.
As tothe irpotent descent upon the coast
: OF Calabria, and the partial advantage
there obtained, the taking and plundering
OF Baenos Ayres, 2 rich, but almost defence
less town upon the coast ofSpanish America,
It is in vain 20 attempt, by the pomp of of
fetal detail, TO give Importance to such ex-
poits. The towns on the coast of South
America, are in condition VIGOROUSLY de-
1encelss. They have alternately become
the prey not only OF such licensed pirates
as Arson ardSir Walter Raleigh. but even
of those lawless freebooters called Bucca-
heers.
We shall dismiss for the present cur. spe-
'cu'aticns upon foreign Affairs and onlv ob-
serve that when we see the nations Of Eu-
rope about to be plunged into misery by
their vices and adherence to erroneous sys-
TENS Of policy, we have additional motives
not to abandon the pacific line of conduct
which has been pursued by our government,
i'll the occasional differences which have
arisen with foreign nations This systcm
on one occasion, has met with opposition
not only from the uniform adv coates Of pro-
fusion and war, but even from those who
MIGHT be expected TO be the friends of eco
nomy and peace.
The occasion to which allude is the ne
gociation for the purchase Of the Floridas
from Spain, which is now most probably,
brought to successful conclusion. As tn
expediency of acquiring those possessions
seems to be admitted on ali sides, the ONLY
question which can arise, relates 20 the mode
Of making the acquisition. The only two
modes b. which the sovereignty of "A coun-
try can be transferred from one nation to
another, arc military conquest and peacca-
bic purchase. The first mode was the on
1y one known in ancient times, the latter is
practice Of modern origin, and appears
&c be one Of the fruits of advanced civiliza-
tion: Formerly the words conquest and
51nrchasc arc said to have been synonymous.
But cur principal object is TO compare these
two modes Of acquisition in relation to the
countries in quest on.
To those who think conquest the only he
norable mode or acquisition, it is difficult TO
make satisfactory answer. The word ho-
nor CONVEYS no distinct idea to the mind, it
is "a confused, underlined creature of the
imagination. it is u bubble which when IRA
dilted by the beams of public opinion, ex-
hibits colors which arc dazzling, but it has
no substance and vanishes at the touch of
reason. But il we attempt 70 reduce this
unreal m0ckerU to any visible form, we
must look for its Outli, .es, in the decisions of
faitr r,uniic Cr,iuicp IN oh icy e.,