The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-10-07

fortitude, must hrins; our enemies to terms
Have we ina few years been rendered so de.
!generates Eol we value the inestimable
blessings of freedom andindependence Can
we expect to. retain those blessings, if We
cease to strive for and to deserve them?
/ We entertain no partially, we cherish nc
preference we indulge neither causeiess
preJudices nor partial affection towards
France or England. Each of those powers
have deeply injured us, they have equally vi
olated the laws and invaded the sovereign
rights of nations. As it is our duty, olet it
be our determined resolution, to resist tire
Injurious DEGREES of the one, with as much
en@gy as the arbitrary Orders of the other
Ih. interests and the honor of our country
demand this course. -
fellow-Citizens, orr national character
and our public interests are at stake. II
we surrender now, we may yield forcver
L his IS the proud and decisive moment, i'm
which we must determine the question. whe-
Their we can maintain our real independence |?
S"rh is the i.:;>icc- .. ii.
that quarter of the Globe, that the nations
OF Europe will be constantly warning against
each other. Our country is too important to
remain unnotiCed. We must determine to
maintain our neutral stand at present OF re-
main exposed to their int'igues and attempts
to involve us i'm their incessant struggles, for
ever. Should they succeed, their attempts
Will be pcrPetually renewed--if they fail,
their present privatons and disappointments
will deter them from similar endeavors lin
future times. In maintaining our own, we
are in fact, contending for the neutral and
commercial rights of every people. Our
own posterity will bless, and future nations
regard us, with appreciation and applause.
But indulging more limited and interest
ed view OF this important subject. Disre-
sardng for a moment the dignity of our ma
ton, the honor Of our flag, the permanent
rights Of commerce, cur substantial interests
and future security. What, we may equire.
would have been our present condition, if
the government Of our country had adopted
any different plan Could we in any case or
by any different course of conduct, have ex-
lperenced more beneficial RESULT
| We must be satisfied in the first place,
| that our government has determined from
the best and purest intentions. Indulging no
favor or fear, no partially, affection or pre-
terence towards either of the powers at war
II has cherished no interest separate from
the welfare of its country. If the path
which 1T has pursued with integrity hasbeeu
marked by wisdom, shall it not receive our
gratitude and appreciation /!
However aggravated the injuries and pro-
vocations we have received, however justi-
| fable the measure might have been sup
pose that abandoning every present prospect
and wish of Peace, we had resolved upon i'm
mediate war, would any additional good have
been obtained, or the interests of any por-
ton CT our country been better cherished /?
War would not have promoted agriculture,
or have restored our commerce. 1t would
nave multiplied our expenses, impelled us
to taxation and added its every calamity to
our present comparatively inferior privati-
ons,
| Neither was it possible to have continued
| our accustomed commerce under the severe
restrictions and injuries il had experienced.
Our vessels would have been captured, their
cargoes seized and all inevitably condemn
ed. Our brave and unot!ending mariners
would have been exposed to long and hope
less captivity. and absent from their families
and homes, beeli immured in foreign Ships,
or confined in distant prisons, during times
in which their services may be most neces-
sary to their country, and finally when depr-
! we'd OF our vessels and stripped of our pro-
| perry when so great portion of OUR re-
! sources, incautously exposed had fallen,
! perhaps into the hand OF the enemy, with
out possessing One rational prospect of adj
vantage, we must of necessity, have been
driven into war.
tits impossible that we should speak of
the existing opposition to government, in
terms of adequate indignation and scnsibili
! ty. 1T An opposition, thus wanton and I'M
founded ill principle, has not been able tc
embarrass the administration, it has at least
increased the o5stinaCy of belligerents and
! Impeded the progress of negotiation. We
are common partakers of the Benefits of our
country, we should sustain its distresses with
iortitule and fidelity. Your government
your count,ymen and friends, look to YOU for
support. The eyes of foreign nations are
stedfastly directed towards YOU, The inter.
! estng question is now to be decided whether
the people of America possess sufficient in
tciligence and public spirit to support the
measures of their ADMINISTRATION, or wle-
Their they will tamely abandon their ever,
estimable right to the hand of violence and
rapine. Let us decide this point with dgni-
ty and virtue. When France and Britain
behold our steady resolution they will pro
badly be constrained to yield their arrogant
pretensions.
In the midst of these difficulties, the 20
vernmcnt Of our country has pursued course
equally distinguished by firmness and mode
ration. In the pursuit of pacific system
1t has studied tile interests and regarded the
sentiments of the people. The unpreiudic
ed world must be convinced that it has beer
actuated by a sense of justice, and not nhu-
enccd by terror. In all its negotiation il ha.
respected tho Proper claims Of other nations
! but 1t has also cVinced q full determination