Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-07-01


the havoc and desolatiou of war. With
nation of this hior,s> THIRSTY and ies0jtical
character, which sacrifices every pr;nci.
pie of virtue aud honor TO the attainment
other schemes, it is inperiously our duty
20 act with the most unremitting caution
and unbending energy.
If this cursory sketch, OF that "precious
stone set in the silver sea-" shall appear
unpublished in the eyes of British adhc-
rents, if these remarks shall be ascribed TO
toe much British hatred, or as the feder-
alists say, to French idolatory, they do us
injustice, and we refer them to the debates
oh Parliament, which TEEN with invective
against the ministry and t,,cir measures,
and to the tumuls wa,ch they have excited
in their cwa kingdom. Is it not astonish..
ing 20 every American in heart ard senti
ment, that whilst the best orators and the
ablest pens OF Britain, are exerting their
influence 10 produce 4 reform, that we
shoed meet with men in our own country,
accursing the Embargo and traducing the
administration. We believe that the great
body of the people, in whose bosons the
stream of patriotism is pure and unrufled,
will never become tue dupcs of enterpri-
2ing partiza and frotby declaimers VIC
trust that the next presidential election,
which involves in its issue the happiness of
our country, Will prove .heir attachment
10 the present administration and it, mca-
sures Already some ofthe northern prints
appear to urge a Justification 20 the EN-
barge, as paramount claim to northern
president They are however involved in
a dilemma, from which it viii be difficult
exti;c';te themselves, in CONSEQUENCE Of
he silence of their candidate, or rather,
his oracular response, whicn admits OF a
variety Of CONSTRUCTIONS. His opinion has
never been expressed upon this measure,
according to his champon Mr. CheethaTn,
IN any oher than this equivocal way, that
be was not a friend to Permanent cnl-
5ayso.
Are VIC to understand from this, that #
o. Britain should remain obstinate. and
viii not aCcede 10 = Friendly and honora-
bic adjustment, that the Embargo should
DE Withdrawn? That Il w;,S merely inten-
ded as trick ia tcryorcn1, to trv her firm
ness 1t this is the energy ard d'p'oma-
TIC skill, which en,itle Mr.. Clinton to tie
Presidency-Goi help us
If the Embargo was right and polite al
1Dffto, and the same causes and circu.n-
stances which enacted L, Shall continue to
exist, Mr. Clinton would give way to Bril-
tIsh insoicnce ard injustice, because he is
} =
This style O: equvoQue, was, no doubt,
calculated to CRAFTY the wishes OF all par.
ties, for whist he avoids incurring The cen
sure Of those opposed to the Embargo, ".
is anxious 70 conciliate the affections Of
those in its favor. the old sentlenan will
not get out OF his difficulty, with as much
grace as the celebrated critic Varro, who,
when Pcmpey wan-cd to inscribe his being
Consul for the third iIne, OF his temple,
was at a loss whether it should be Consul
tcrifUm Or Consul tertfo-all Rome differ.
ed--and Varro was commanded TO decide.
who vented tn plsa-e every BODY, which
he very lngenlously did by proposing Coa-
Ell teri; We wish no Riddles and enig-
mas for the people, Mr.. Cheet.am, BIZ;
plain, homes, unamb;guous course, like
that OF the present administration. Your
vociferations are lost. and your caiunny a :
inst Madison despised -" To him that
dares arm his profaae tongue with CON
temptuons words against tie sun clad pow
err OF chastity, fam would something say,
but to what end %