Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-10-15

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toa:t; y : military u>arrsr, or be attach
ed as provinces 20 European powers
That freedom oI intercourSc, which is ri
present one ~ the m3sl fertile sources OF
orr prosperity, would give place to AN in
tercourse fettcred with irst,itc restrictions,
or be excAanGei for & sulicn state of mac
tivity and apSi-sJcial existence.
Codes OF laws, every day becoming more
unlike, by diverging from the common prin-
ciples which at present prevail, and which
arise from common interest, would be-
come as numerous us the states; and there
won.l not only be an end to a similarity of
ideas, habits ap1 manners, but a sy stematic
variance and hostility.
N proportion t. the insecurity end dam
ger Of the states wculA be the necessity OF
auSmenting their taxes while the sources
OF taxation walld III the same ratio be di-
miIished Without d federal head the COL
lection Of productive impost would be un-
attainabic. Our experience has already
proved this. \ state whose population did
net exceed a huHircdth part CT the union,
rendered aSor-iVc tlle most S.rcnuGCs efforts
o. al. the other states made successvc!y for
z years to draw revenue from this source.
This revenue at present exceeds eleven
millions of dollars, while that raised by the
states from Other sources does not exceed
two millions. With resources thus impair
ed, new Causes for expenditure would be
multiplied. Each state would require an
armed force 60 protect itself against its
neigLbors, rs wei rs al-ainst foreign foe
both Of which would be ready to seize the
n.o;ncnt Of security and imhccihty to irfict
n mortal blow Oh is sovereignty and strength
That force whose power now consists in lis
union would then he lost by division, and
the whole country be rcsitiveiy weakened
by Internal discussions and conflicts. Tax
es, in the odious shape Of excuses, polls, and
o. land, would be raised to an enormous
extent, and the armed force be correspon-
oently augmeated the sword would decide
every thing, and libegty exist not even IL
name.
We should become more dependent OF
the foreign world from our diminished abb
Esy to supply our own wants. The best Ia
Dor s talent OF our people would he cxhaus-
ted III military preparations and contests
tie produc We powers of the commute,
would be deeply Impaired the encou
fragment u clltiv.te natural odvan.
taSes, Arising from tho fostering hand Of
national ocheicelce, would be withdrawn
and a state Of Insecurity, if not Of constant
warfare, would Danish the greater part OF
our capitai, which would seek employment
III countries more prODlticuS to Its growth.
AS tonstional character it would be lost
We mig ht share the fate without gaining the
eclat Of the cities Of Greece, or be destined! tc
ran The iilglorious S, hunIi.iating round Of The
states o. RaThary, lasting and morunful
spectacle o. sle ablse of natural advanta
ges bat there would be an end to all those
proud aud, aspiring hopes, which expand
tAe heart OF every g:nuine American with
the expectation th1tthe national character,
toHntcil or sentiments Of nagnaniGity and
justice, WI DC gradually lmfOidcd, destined
q e.eraize TIE r.icl OF liberty in the new
world, and ultimately 10 ensure its triumph
i'll the Old.