Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-08-15
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between this country and England would be
more injurious to her than to us, and would
probably be in several important respects
beneficial 10 ms, we are charged in two OF
the Boston prints with an attempt 70 prove,
not merely the Justice and eXpediency of
such n war, but like wise that II will be OH
the whole beneficial to the United States.
Nothing can be more destitute OF truth than
this inputltinn. We have not attempted
TO prove the justice of war with Britain,
because such an attempt would have been
in the highest degree absurd. There is no
or honest American that
doubts it. IL is not, therefore, topic for
would ne Just as rational 20
attempt TO prove that triangle Is formed
by three sides, or that twice three make
six. Nor have we offered any proofs of
the cXpetiency ola war with England. We
have. with the whole American People,
considered this consideration jacwise ont
Of the question on the part of this coGhtry.
The question may, and, no doubt, will We
ny properly be presented to the British go
vernment--With them it viii rest to de-
eide it a!iirmativeiy or ncgativriyj they
will have the power. But on our part, po
such decision viii be reserved for is.--Cur
conduct will necessarily be regulated by
theirs.-For PREPARATION must be had by
us, or there is an end to the amity OF the
two nations. The reign of reason will DC
suspended, and physical strength, in one
shape or other, can alone decide the issue.
1t may, perhaps, be made question, whc-
Their we shall go fully intoya state of war,
or be satisfied with commercial restricti-
ons er total suspension of Intercourse.
Rut 1t is easy to see that such step taken
by us under such circumstances would soon
lead to state Of complete warfare.
So far with respect to the charge of adj
vocating the justice and expediency of
war with England, which we have shewn
obe entirely uniounded. Equally so is the
lmputation of attempting to prove that such
war will be on the whole advantageous to
the United Statcs.-The imputation is an
atrocious libel ON the principles and seuti-
menis OF this print We have never at
tempted 90 prove that war with any nation
would be beneficial On the contrary, we
have uniformly, and in the strongest terms,
insisted OIL the incalculable advantages Of
preserving peace with tue whole world
We have presented the subject in a thou
sand different lights. We have defended
the government for their soicitude to main
tain peace, Notwithstanding the manifold
wrongs Inflicted ON us bv the Injustice of To-
ricgn powers. We have applauded their
honest efforts to avoid every cause ofcolli-
sion with them, by becoming party to the
contests o. neither Of them; bv treating
them all with equal good will by restrai-
Mug establishments from their nature cal
cuated TO entice us into war bv accommo-
dating differences, whenever this could no
norably be done, by negotiation instead Of
deciding them by the sword, even when
the means existed of doing the latter most
cficctually.
We have invariably connected the growth
OF cur prosperity with the maintenance of
peace, and have offered calculation ppon
calculation TO shew the vast pccuniary be-
neiits derived by us from the preservation
of peace.
We nave considered even the existence
of the republican system as Intimately
interviewer with the pacific disposition Of
our country, and have always fc AIRED
the fatal influence of standing armies, in
creased taxes, naval establishments, 70 :
eign alliances, and augmented patronage on
the public liberty.
All these principles are still sacredly
cherished by us. The Late disgraceful blt-
rage of Britain has not diminished cur c m
viction of their scundness. Our creed 9r
this point is unaltered, and We will conf.
IDENTITY add, unaljerabie. Il war with Bri.
whole be beneficial to the United States
We know, on the contrary, that it will CHECK
our progress in wealth and general prospe.
riiy that it Will be productive of conside.
rablc injury, and may be productive of un
looked for calamity. All this we readily
admt.-But still we contend that Britain
unless she complies with our demand foi
PREPARATION, viii have left us 10 alternative
Even could we meanly Consent to brook tn,
outrage she has just offered, the evil, so far
from ending there, would dreadiuly in
crease. She wouli proceed in her careel
OF injustice, and there is no length of op
preston at which she would stop, short o
absolute vassalage on our part This is TIN
true question. The point at issue is no
one merely of national honor but one tina
strikes at the very vitals OF our future cXis
tence as an independent and a prosperou
people-for in vain shall we expect to b,
the latter without being likewise the for
lner.
This thea is the view which we have Ia
ken of this most momentous subject, an,
we presume the sound sense Of the commu
nifty, not less than the spirit of a high min
dcd people, will support us i'll consldern
it as the only just view Of which it is sus
ceptble. That federalists, al they on thi
occasion most absurdiy denomina.c them
selves, should not acknowledge It's aCcura
Cy, would be most astonishing, were the ca
mellon quality Of party NOT well know
Heretofore We have been told, from thi