The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-10-03

threaten us to-day and foothc us tomorrow
Here lies the danger. This is our great and
mortal difeafe. While the radical caufe of our
debility exits, there is no fafety for us in peace
Peace cannot lat. 1t may be honored with the
name, but it will have in it nothing of the ma.
ture OF peace. Before we think Of any thing
worthy of the name of peace, our peemiary af-
fairs mutt undergo a radical reform. There
mutt be lefs left in the power of the enemy at
the ftock-exchange; there mutt be reduction
of expenfe; there mutt be great relief on the
icore of taxes the people NUT not be foley oc-
cupied in making preparation for the moment
when the tax.gatherer fhall knock at the door.
Whether fuch reform is likely to take place
the reader may be able to judge from the mea-
lures which the INs have brought forward, and
which the Ours have cordially approved of,
during the prrfent FELTON, of parliament. Yet,
there myf be reform there mun be a
reduction of expenfe or, there never will
again be real peace between England and
France, as independent nations. Pitiabe,
truly lamentabe, therefore, is it to hear
men talk of peace as fource of tranquil
ty and of cafe They do not perceive the
change of circumstances, and, it is greatly to
he feared, that they never will perceive it until
1t be too late. AK them why they approved
OF going to war, and the anfwer lie, it was i'm
poiiible to live at peace with fuch rettlefs
neghbor as Bonaparte. We'll Bonaparte is
fall alive; and, is it not equally impoffible to
live at peace with him no7v Do you think,
that he is, either by Pitts chaftiing," or by
the effect of adveriity, become more mode
rate in his views Or, do YOU think, that,
after the " third Coalition he has more rsafon
to he reconciled to England than he had be-
fore = TO thefe guettions we receive no an
jsvrr we have again 20 liiten to the utterance
| OF vague underlined hopes and, we are reluc-'
! tanty compelled TO leave the hopsrs to be en-
! lightened in that fchoo, wherein alone wifdom
| IS taught unto fools. My view of the fituation
OF Europe in general, and England in particu.
| lar, renders me very little anxious upon the
iubleet of peace; beCaufe whether there be war
IN name as well as in the thing, or whether
there be war under the name of peace, is of
little contequence and, as TO the terms it is
ridiculous TO hope that they will, if peace be
made under our pretent pecuniary circumitan-
! ces, be nearly 10 good as thofe of the peace of
Amiens. If, indeed, there were a reform in
the national expenditure if the public debt
were brought, as it might be, within manage
able bounds; f cheap and efficient military
force were completely eftablifhed then might
an Englih miniiter lay, will have real peace
! for you /; France, fhall never have moments
:>;..'i;y ;"t, Can carry on war win Won
For ever. And why are not thefe things done ,
w mere me o5f6eIe TO their Accomplishment /?
Where is the rea/5n that what is ne-efIary TO
our political falyation cannot be adopted The
reaion, is that while every man is calling upon
every other man to make Eaeyifces, no man will
make flcrifceS bisnlef; but, on the contrary,
It would ieem as Lord marlborough exprelIed
1t IN the cafe of the Athol Claim, that there pre-
walls general opinion that the ihip is upon the
rocks, and that every one is eHdeavoring to
rihe the chefs, in the hope of efcaping from
the wreck. This is the reafon that nothing
efficient is done; and, as the fafety of nation
depends foley upon the will and the exertions
OF the people competing it, what mutt be our
fate, if this diipoftion continues Times of
great public trouble and calamity, times of ar
duous trial, do frequently bring forth, in ma
tons as well as in individuals, extraordinary
virtues and talents. God fend that this NAV be
the cafe in England But if any one imagines.
that the independence of this country is now
to be preierved by party harangues, or by di-
Plomatic arts, he will if he live but very few
years, find himfelf mierably deceived. A ma
ton, h'uated as we now are, was never yet ref
cued ny ordinary means, much lefs by means
that are weak, if not defpicabIe. There NUT
be extraordinary virtue and extraordinary Ia
lent and again fay. God fend that we may
find them!"