Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-01-09

me most VOClferOuS QecldlmcrS tOr THIS anti
religious policy!
Can any man say, that there is either
piety, charity, virtue, or religion in such
conduct?
But then people are at loss to account
for it-no doubt: men innocent OF the world
and unacquainted with the depravity which
is produced by the lust of inordinate wealth
Cannot be expected to account for con-
tradictions SO gross and preposterous among
rational and free minds.
But II the plain man will look little in
to facts, as they are plainly laid before
him, he will no longer be at a loss TO ac-
count for such extraordinary proofs of hu,
man folly and vice.
The United States are affected not be
any evil cause originating within them
selves, but by external causes acting OH the
people.
The nations of Europe, have in maner
realized the fable Of the Saiamander, they
have HVed IN fire for several centuries
no sooner had one corner cooled, hut the
FIRE of war broke out in some other; and
this has been their miserable fate for ages
A system of government like ours has me-
yer before existed. At no period of time
mas there been government before Our
own, i'll which the interests or the wishes
OF those who are affected most by war had
the least influence or effect
The wariike cries and the rage for mad
systems, do not proceed from the fco6ie of
tae United STATES, from those whose inter-
SITS and wishes are inseparable from peace
and virtue; those rawlings proceed from ex-
teinai impressions, and disease produced
by those impressions here >: aud the causes
arc var US.
Foreign governments, whose institutions
~ IfaF. 4 Il.
rs ana e1idedvor- to disturb ON. 1-eIose.
Nations whose policy is "a combination of
commercial monopoly and war. TO maintain
that monopoly iook upon the United States
as other sects look upon the Quak rs with
u '0lonsy- 6ecause our Quicker fokcu ex-
empts US from all the VI riety OF olils 10
winch the savage and u4christiau uoii
OF war OK IS hem.
Our pclcy so sa u;arv fer cur own REQ
pic, like al! human things, admits orar al
10y, 1t tempts numbers from those foreipn
governments TO come nilher merely Cor a
temporary term to profit by our policy,
and being enriched, to go away these peI.-
sons spread through our sea ports, with the
various propensities and habits of their own
nations, and contaminate many Of cur own
citizens.
MANY of our citizens educated in the pre-
WI 'ic government which ruled us as
colonies, still retain their early attachments
ana pre]udices, and even the most pacific
sect exhibits too many examples of the
blindness ofprejudice which can maintain a
TeAs7oHS and fofticai sentiment at vari-
ance and destructive one of the other.
a disposition is evident in many to be
discontented with calm and TRANQUIL
prosperity and solcitude in others 10
DOW down and rise upon the necks os
their fellow citizens, over whom thev fam
cy they possess either greater talents or
greater riches, which CONVEYS TO them a
more Important idea than talents, genius
or virtue.
Many persons educated after the preip.
dices and habits of foreign countries. md
hostile to the simplicity and equality of a
tree state, become epeculators in commerce
and repay their commercial credits low in.
fidelity to their country.
These various classes of men, wrought
upon by foreign agents and cmissar;es--
several IN the receipt of 8tihends from In.
reign governments ;--numo rous p,rs,r. IN
directly bribed and kept in paw bv mer-
camille and consular favor for the burmese
OF influencing our people, and forming in
terests, either 10 retard the growth of our
own nation to- maturity, or to create in
terests or alliances with foreign govern-
mInts.
1t is from these various, and other subor.
dinate sources, thatwe hear the crU E,r
70aT-naUat eStaGi8hments-and cxtya,,a.
giant systems.
The peaceable citizen, content with III.
blessings of liberty, and with that secur;tS,
winch Il wise and providential no,icy
mas preserved for us is never heard w.
celiierating Tor war-it is not from the
friends Of civil liberty and equal Tipbts-.
1t is not from those who would n.
foremost in the fight, ard bear all the br,int
OF battle with generous and noble ardor
It is not from such men that these rantine,
and ludicrous ss, e.
You hear them from men desperate +,
their fortunes or their hopes-and the mo.
ment YOU find On adyeuturer or specnla,o,.
on theverge of bankruptcy, or deprived of
the wages OF idleness whether il is the
gambler at hazard, or the rash hazard of
illegal commerce for this unfortunate and
desperate description of men, their desnaiT
drives them to deeper calculations. "a
like the abandoned Cefafne or the nroai-
gate HrHOtd-they turn their backs mon
virtue, lay claim to honor while PLAYING tho
knave, and end with becoming n sore ON
society and disgrace to human nature
10 be Continued. J
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