Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-05-20
Dlcgmala argls8.
FRlDAY, MAY 20, 1908.
Il / { Ii NJ o n ID :

! REPUBLICANS thorughoar the Uni
ted States be On the alert!
Ii ever there was tune when it be.
hoved the friends OF the present viz
tuous administration TO be active In
1t defence, now Is that time. The
progress of the federalists in New
York, and Massachusetts, together
Within "good Observation-Disclosures
them and the moderate democrat"
In Rhode-Island, is enough to convince
us that it is not impossible for them
to regain their former ascendaucv, un-
less proper exertions are made to
counteract their Vaccinations. The
unavoidable inconvenience of a
necessary and impartial EMBAR
GO. which was laid for the best
OF purposes, to save our vessels and
their cargoes from capture and con-
domination, and to compel, without re-
sorting to war, both France and En-
gland to do us justice, furnish them
with topics OF defamation, which I'M
fortunately will have influence, SO long
as there are many individuals in soci.
ETY. vino regard all public measures,
as beneficial or injurious, exactly in
proportion to the effect produced on
their own Pccuniary interests. This
sordld principle, lin pursuance of
which the great affairs of the nation,
the rights, liberty and independence
OF the United States are weighed in
the scales OF aOarice, and found light
IN comparison with the Nancy which
is lost by embargo has already turn
cd the minds of many from the right
way.
The spirit which gives birth to such a
principle, has been the cause of the hume.
rous and shameless evasions of the several
ac.s relative to the embargo, and, of course.
mas occasioned the rigorous measures 10
put a stop to hem. Yet those very mca-
sures, which, through neceSSitU, aud with
reluctance, have been adopted by the Gov
eminent, Will now he used as a convenient
handle to increase the clamors against il
Inc cry OF tyranny and oppression, will
probably be raised to run down an admi.
nlstration which has ever been devoted tc
the freedom of the people. We repeat it
then, let all true REPUBLICANS be on tie
alert.-P"rticularly, REPUBLICAN PRIN
TIERS be industrious in repeling the Sian
ders OF the tederalists, and demonstrating
the propriety of the Embargo.
The spirit of 1774 and l776, we trust. j.
not yet extinct. In those truly patriot,
times, our citizens did not hesitate to sa
the aIear OK 5sr agd eSmor
pie, rney voluntarily associated and agreed
not TO purchase any articles of British Ma
: hutaG.ure' until the rights of America
should oe recognized and secured they
oneeTlulIy subjected themselves, for the al.
INMATE good OF their country, to all the
} wants * privations attendant on total SUP
preston of foreign trade their wives 8,
daughters assumed the dstaf, VI piled III,
shuttle, and speedily cloathed them witt
the Work OF their owR hands: They nobl,
. Cohtchded for their rights; yet, in crde,
10 OBTAIN the quiet and unmolested enioy.
ment OF them at future day, submitted
without III lrmur, TO the most severe re
Volutionary regulations And shall il h,
said, that our Countrymen, in 1908. wbe,
the Iyrant of Great Britain is epdeavorin,
TO destroy our independence, by subject n,
American Commerce to British Laws ant
TO British Taxation, will evince less forti
luue ana sell denial IN I,r'eSerUing thei
glorious inheritance of Freedom, than tbejl
fathers displayed in acquiring it Is il nos
sible that they will {" sell their birth ,jaht,
Tor little mercantile prof Surely not
Nothing can be wanting to make the peo
pie nearly uDanimcrs in approving the pre-
sent Embargo, and jealous IN enforcin,
the provisions TO prevent its being evaded
but to satisfy them that the motives or
which IT was founded, were pure and no
, norab!ej that it was not the offspring oil
! french influence, but of a sincere desire
to protect the property of the very mer.
chants who stygmatize it, and to vindi
. cate the RIGHTS of us all. Let them per
ceive, Gas they soon WILL that firm adj
herence to the Embargo, and universal
obedience to its regulations, will probabl,
secure TO this country the Justice it de
mancs both from Great Britain and
France, and, may in the end, establish
: the liberty ofthe seas let them know tina
every expression, in any part of the United
States, OF disapprobation of this measur,
tends to Illustrate its object by encouragiD,
those foreign governments, ION whom Il (
intended to operaIs,) TO persevere in oppo
sing our claims and surely then, not ;
: complaint will be heard against il, excep
! from few incorrigible Tories and Angi
! Federalsts.
The great body Of the people when the,
. get their minds cleared from the mists :
: FEDERAL delusion and generally understaD,
the subject correctly. will, no doubt, ap