Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-12-15


every one would be h: san. Why,
then, sir, do We not unlni nously take
the ground here, which it we we're
chile upon To act in an opposite hos
tils character, w3ull most certainly
deter US from perseveriny in that hos
tile character against the u. States?
Sir, if there had been any doubt, upon
ehis subject, our late experience ought
to have re moved l.; for, sir, have no
hesitation in saying, and wish pain a,
| heart shall Re COMPEL ID to shew it In
he course of this debate, that In my
lndg nent, our presenter Sirrassments
are TOO much 20 be ascrioed to our for
ner manifestati2n OF INDIGESTION, to-
o lr unfortunate dissentions and divisi-
sions. Siri whenever [ approach this
sorrowful and awi'nl subject, my h .art
feels as if it were bleeding at every
por-, when an comp led to reflect,
and 20 believe, that this our beloved
and happy country may shortly De
| come bleeding vic in, fro n wounls
If not inflicted by the hands of her
oyn s3as, at Least by their unhappV
divisions AID di3}eAtiops. Yes, sir,
with full knowiedg: of what is past
al strong pres lg 5 OF what is TO con-
IS il not deplor rle t. be compelled
10 think, that in v=rt few months.
perhaps in 4 still shorter time, An
rican blood mast be shed, to repel tn
hostilc spiriv of Great Britain, now
rendered. too manifest livery under
standing; and worse than all, sir, t,
wash away the stains of or own un
fortunate divisions aal dissentions
and is il nor won lerfIl, as it Is deplo
rabIe, that the virtuous and patriot
American people, Al | Sometimes call
ed tn. most emil ghtensd in the world,
with I'll. experience of the horri de
consequences, though all ages, of the
,livisi ms Of people amongst the IL
selves, shoald permit themselves from
the sane cause to fall prey to the
same inevitable Gala mites?
Look, Mr.. President, through all history
fro.n the FIRST dispute betwien Cain and 4
bel, down to the late disastrous dissentions
between the Spanish br ,nca Of the Blurooa
dynasty, and Fl ID, If you an, sir, a single
instance OF a people who gained any advan-
tag- from dIssentioGs amongst themselves ,
and especially, sir, waen they carried the n
SO far, as TO join a foreign against their
country stand ard / believe, sir, not one |
solitary instance of this kind, stands re.
corded. Nor is it possible nor practicable J
in any state of human dddies-3ecause in |
all cases. the foreign interference in the in
ternal concerns of its neighbors is always
for its own and never for its neighbor'
benefit With these monitory lessons be
fore our eyes, aud a full conviction of
their truth upon our hearts is il net Won
derful, tina. we should voluntarily give 10 |
ourselves victims to the slne Gala mites 7 |
But, sir, gentlemen may ask, where is the
re nedy How canwe make a sacrifice of
our owa opinions! Sir! the case is al
| plaR one. Let gentlemen exercise their
opinions auj persevere in their arguments
at all times respecting our internal con-
Cern3 as we'll before as after the measures
are aIopted-let them respecting our for.
/ eIs1 relations, urge their arguments with
! A zeal propor Toned TO the magnitude Of
ths su5Ject--they will oe pleasurAbiy re-.
{ ceivsd, and respectfully considered but
! AFR the government hts taken its attitude
/ against a foreign nation /, would be gong
! too ar 60 deserl its standard, AMI TO io,n |
that o. the enemy. Il is then tine for o. |
| pan on 10 pause aud reflect, whether any |
] !
graceful than joining foreign against its
counsry's standard! Whether it would
NOT be better, NOR; patrloac, more virtu.
Gus, % support your country even in sup
posed nnwise course of policy, than to JOIN
a foreign standard, aud use it to correct & |
ch11ye the course of policy thus dlsappro
we'd
! Sir, in contest between your own and |
foreign na.ion, itneysr c1n be wrong to Join |
the standard ofyour owl country nor right |
to join the standard of your enemy. Then.
sir, here is a rallying point. IT is a plain
and obvious one. No understanding AN
mistake il. No heart can disapprove il. u
It's our own government Let that be the |
r. lying point. There never can be a more
| proptious moment than the present for cas-.
tng iato oblivion all former irritations and
dssenuions. There can never be palmer
case presented To the hun IN underst an ling.
! There never were more urgent consderati
ons in favor of the course recommended -
! Whether we respect their repuls,ye effects
apon British hostility, or their harmonisngI
effects among ourselves, they appear to me
70 be equally strong and persuasive. May
not then, sir, indulge the pleasing hope,
that the resolution before you will he recei-