The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-06-24
THE ENQUIRER.
RICHMOND. JUNE "a, 1908.
UBMISSION-oR-r EMBARGO,
No. V.

No. V.
We must apologize to our readers for ha-
wing so long expatiated upon the hecuniarv
views OF this subject. We are satisfied, that
:" no temptation" of temporary gain, (" no
prospect OF wealth" could possibly induce the
great majority of them to abandon the real
honor and permanent interests Of their coun-
try. They are not so far gone in corruption,
as to give up every thing for the mess ofhot-
toSe. The question now therefore is, can sub
mission be c0msOnant Gyith tie honor oj'this
country t?
What is the honor of sreat nation It is
not that empty pride which consists of the
ferns and tricks of Etiquette. 1t is not the
Claiming of the first place among the pro-
cession OF ambassadors at a court nor the
first seat at table for an ambassadors wife.
1t is not in captivating the public eve bv
magnificent palaces, or all the gaudy exteI ior
OF dsspotic governments, nor in displaying
all the embellishments of military force
1t is not IN going to war for word, nor a
form. nor the empty credit of name. Nor
when this spirit is reused, is it confined to
professions or to buster \; to the war of
words or the vapor of menaces.
! IA nation that regards its honor, will nei-
Their Commit I'M ustice nor silently submit to
it. 1t will neither complain without a sufi-
Client cause nor will it dishonor its COM
plants by acts of submission. 1t is not east
~ provoked to war, is it easily persuad-
cd into tacit acquiescence in Injustice.
when Its great rights arc invaded, it does
not confine itself to the mere language of re-
monstrance and complaint Such a nation
knows how to suffer and to act: to endure
every priVatlon, rather than abandon its in
dependence and if necessary, to unsheath
the sword, to conquer or to die.
The honor OF a nation consists in this tn ut
while 1t RESPECTS the rights of others, it ne
yer silently submits to a violation of its own.
AS 1t regards the United States, they have
never Leasci TO respect the rights of other
nations. 1t is only in submitting to the usur-
patiohs OF others therefore, that their hoaor is
likely to be endangered.
1t IS when the greaF Interests of a nation
are violated without any manifestation of
resistance, that her homer becomes the sa
critcs--!t IS Oil such occasions, that inb-
mission becomes contrary to all the rules of
prudence and the principles of Justice: be-
cause OF these occasions her character is
gone foreign nations have no cause to dread
her resentment fer their frequent perpetra
tons OF the same or greater enormities and
this unfortunate nation - destined 10 be Il :.
laughing stock and the football Of every
po. e.: who chooses to insult her.
But never have the Grea: rights ofthe u
nited States been so seriously assailed, as at
this moment. Never would submission be so
dishonorabie as at this moment What are
these great injuries!
Nature intended the ocean as great high
way for the powers OF the earth. 1t is the
great chain which binds the civilized wcrld
together in one community of interest. 1t
is that, which is beneficial to one and to all
the nations who inhabit it's coasts 1t is that
to which all nations have a right, but in
which none have property And as soon
might any power think of LAYING claim to the
element OF the air, as to this great highw az
OF waters.
These arc principles which are not only
founded in nature. but have been admitted
by every rational statesman. No nation had
hitherto presumed to deny by their practice,
that the seas were free. Every nation had
admitted the right of the vessels of another,
freely to navigate the ocean and sail direct
ly to the Country even of their enemy. ex-
ccpt in u few specified cases, as Contraband
OF war, actual blockade cf ports, Sc No
power had hitherto dared to PROSTATE the
established laws Of nations, and to make
lis viii the standard Of nature and of Justice.
BY what right then does Great Britain, or
France, or any other nation, dare to controul
cur commerce. What right have they to
tell US, As Gyeat-Britain has told u, {" YOU
shall no. resoIt to the highway of the uni-
verse b.! ~ my permission You shall not
carry even your own native productions to a.
ny of the Countries Of Europe, bat at mv
sovereign. dispensation. You Shall derange
the course of your voyages. will prescribe
to you the very lines, on which YOU must ma
yigatc the high seas. You 8hlU bring all
Your cargces to my ports and if please,
you may afterwards expert them 10 the con-
tinsnt, But remember, for this privilege,
You are to pay me tribute. Your cargoes
shall be compelled to pay such duties in my
ports, as may choose to exact; and you are
tolcontribute to the expences Of my wars, in
which you have not the slightest concern
ment."
What? And are there men in this coun-
try, who would have had US meanly submit
to these entertainments The u. States are
a free and independent bat;on. They have
taken their ground amsnc the nations Of the
earth. On the 4th OF Julv, 1776, this nation
became the heir of ali the rights of SOW
reign power. 1t was thenceforth entitled To
the freedom of the high seas, under the same
| restrictions only as the law of nations had
prescribed TO the whole world We alone
had the right to regulate or commerce
| And are there men IN the United States
who would nave us abandon this command
ing character! Unfortunately there arc.
"a. ,t-t o, I