Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-03-10
Dtrglnia ArJus.
RIG II NJ ON D.
friday. MARCH 10, 1909.

ALTHOUGH we 90 not approve OF tue re-.
suit of congressional deliberations, we can
not reconcile it to our feelings to condemn
the whole body with the charge Of inconsis.
tencv.
This temper has been, recently exhibited
in some of the republican papers with in
finitely too much warmth and harshness.-
1t is true that we have all along advocated
the alternative of the Embargo or War,
and it is equally true that according to the
report of the committee in the early part Of
| the session, we had every reason to con-
ciude that this would be the course to which
Congress would infiexibly adhere Before
we can subscribe to any prescription upon
this subject in regard to the Virginia dele
cation, we must wait until the parliament
arv curtain is fairly hoisted and all their
power and exertions exhibited to the public
eye. We must wait until we are convinced
that the republican delegation could do no.
thing better, or at least more consistent with
our feelings and sentiments than what thev
have done. We know very we'll the texture
ct their virtue, the tone OF their patriotism
and the wish of their minds.
We shall not therefore precipitately de-
eide that they have been guilty. Of inconsis-
tency or that thew were driven from their
petition BY the nlenaces Of our Eastern bre-
thren. We have had tho pleasure of con.
versing with several members upon their re-
turn, and they have satisfied us that no o.
Their measure could possibly be procured
thanthe one which has been adopted. The
complicated difficulties in which we are in
volved necessarily give rise to a great yari-
ETY. OF views, and it nay be perhaps mat
ter of greater difficulty than we are aware,
to concentrate opinions to any definite point.
IL musthoweverb be expected by every person
that the interval between the present time
and the meeting of Congress in May, will be
devoted to preparations of defence, and that
1t the European powers do not refrain from
neutral depreciation, that war must neces.
sarily be declared.
What effect may be produced upon the
British cabinet by the anticipation of this e.
vent, together with the knowledge of Mr..
Madison's election, time alone can decide;
but we are very much inclined to believe,
that instead ofinducing them to rescind their
DEGREES, It will make them continue their
injuries with additional invcteracy. Ifthis
calculation should prove true and we should
be In the same situation in May that we are
now, the patience of the people will be Of not
already completely exhausted with forbear-
ance under injury and negotiation under in
/ suit. If any event whatsoever can produce
unanimity among the parties in America it
is perhaps the one before US. Every person
will then be convinced, of what grea, pro-.
portion of society now believe, that every
attempt at Cancellation has only the effect of
sinking us deeper in disgrace and injury.
We shall then possess the most infatlib e cri-
terion, to distinguish the spurious from the
genuine American, Ambiguity will affor
norefuge, nor political prejudice anyexcuse.
A declaration of war will meet with tine APP
proving voice of the nation, and he that VIII
not be its advocate will furnish the most
conclusive evidence of his unblushing tory-
ISM. In the mean time the people are ear
nestly solicited to be upon their guard "a
gainst party intrigue aud misrepresentat. Oh
We are aware of the articles which will
be employed to dlsparage the adninistrati-
on and to destroy the ascendancy of the re-
publican party. The federalists look upon
the prospect before them, with renovated
| nope, and the minority, under whom they
nave enlisted, appear to exult in triumph
but we trust, triumph without a victory.
The people will be continually told, without
any fair and candid exposition of the SUBJ
Ject, that the embargo h:S been the only
source of our difficulties and danger. The
partlsats of the minority will contend that
the fatal impolcy of the embargo is proven
by its repeal. That 1t was founded in err
ror aud continued through obstinacy. That
! these were the predictions OF John Randolph
and that now they are verified Yes, there
Is no doubt but that the disciples of this
Frince OF the minority, will pay this tribute
to his vanity, and urge these things as argu-
ments of opposeless force. But we rely with
u1dlminished confidence in the good sense
OF the people, and we shall hereafter prove
to them that our republican representatives
IN congress have not made the least depar-
ture from their principles, and that they
still deserve their respect and suffrage.
When we speak Of the republican repre-
| scntatiyes in congress in this style, we do
not mean to include them all. 1t was en-
tirely IN consequence of some of the repub-
lican delegation from the other states that
the embargo was repealed without declar-
ing war. They gave way, which Of course
left the republicans in the minority, and
rather than total repeal of the embargo
without any substitute, they were forced to
accept OF the non-intercoarse bill.
More remarks hereafter.1
It is reported that Mr.. John O. Adams
is appointed Mins.er to the conrt of Pc.
| tersDurgh. for the purpose Of endeavoring
to form an armed neutrality. II this is re-
ally the object Of mis- mission, it opens an