Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-01-20
Dmgnta A--eu3.
r C H NJ o n d:
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20. 1909.


1t is with peculiar pleasure We announce
that Mr.. John w. Eppes has yielded to the
solicitation of his district, and that he will
sacrifice all private considerations, to the
public good, which he is so eminently cap
able of promoting by continuing in the sta.
ton which he now occupies.
The times require the energy of every
patriot, and the light of every statesman,
both of which are happily united in Mr..
Eppes.
In our last paper we entered our protest
against the proposition Of calling Congress
on the 9Th Monday in May, i'm case the Eu-
ropean powers do not abandon their pre-
sent position, for the purpose of declaring
war; We did this under a belief, that It
would induce Great Britain to avail herself
| of the intermediate time. ~
The policy of this measure can only be
advocated upon the score of taking rimc 10
| make fareharations for defence. After SO
many expedients have been tried and af-
ter so much forbearance, the hope of con-
Iciliation must have flown from every mind.
| And there must be few indeed who can
doubt, butthat when Great Britain becomes
possessed of this knowledge, but that she
| will Instantly execute her system of attack
The conclusion is too rational to be, easily
repealed, that upon her receiving this i'm
J formation, she will either determine to
change her attitude (Which we fear it is
| vain to expect) or to make war upon US co
| instdnto. If she does this, our state of
preparation will be but very little better
| than 1t is now. We re eat, that if we are
| obliged to exchange the Embargo four best
and most effectual measure) for war, the
sooner the better. In regard to- our sea
port towns, they will of course, be obliged
TO wait for the attack, and the progress of
| preparation and defence may be rapidly
pursued; but if government should medi-
| ate any attack upon the British provinces
\ IN North America, the time is now pecu-
| liarly inviting There is another advan-
tage attending this procedure, which may
[ be deemed inconsiderable by many, but
which, in our estimation, is of the highest
importanc eve mean the expulsion of a.
| liens. There never was country which
+, had so much to apprehend from source
| OF this kind, as our own at the present
| iuncture, and there never was, perhaps, a
party of men so intensely active in diffusine
dstrust, disahection, and discord, as then
! have been, and are at this moment. The
! Scotchmen are underwriting to communi-
cate their native corruption of mind. by
holding forth the Inspiring prospect of gain,
and by persuading our fellow citizens 10
! believe, that tits neither a W mt OF moralI-
[ ty or patriotism to break the Embargo.
The Englishmen not only employ these arr
| tihces and alluTcmenta, while at the same
time they are not so completely the vots.
! ries of Plu.us, but what they can recon-
mend them with bride. X is indeed =
subject of the most lively execraton, tha,
many OF ocr newspapers are stamped with
the impression, of British gold. They are
not only so many avenues of corruption
but of unrctnittlna Communication, through
which every tory-like sentiment from Pick
eriDg, Hlllhouse, ct cetere. is conducted a
cross the Atlantic, into the recesses Of the
| British Pandemonium. The extraordina-
ry state of the times, and the apparent de-
generacy of patriotism, imperiously de-
mand some measure of this character.
| How often have we seen the smile Of ex
ultaton lighted upon their cou ,teDances,
when they are hearing or listening TO some
infractioD of the embargo, and the more
daring the violation, the more exquisite tn,
enjoyment. But to return to our su5jecr
In our remarks in the preceding paper, we
suggested THAT If WAR is INEVITABLE
that the Spanish possessions IA North A
merica, or at least the Fioridas, ought t.
be an object of not only attention, but az
QUESTION. In the present serious and un
exampled state of things, the m st calm
and dspassioDate Judgment is solicited as
to our best course of policy.
1t we declare war entirely from priD-
ciple of justice and resentment, we must
declare it against almost every power in
Europe. But this is no time for self-delu.
sion, or of Boosting like Glendower, of
4" calling Vastly spirits from the deep"
We must calmly examine our means and
the best mode Of doing most harm to our
enemies. This is the great object OF war.
Who then are our enemies {! France NJ
less than Britain, and Spain no less Than Ell
Their. The first has no continental territo-
ry bordering upon the United States, and as
to doing any naval injury, it is a species of
quixotism. Ofcourse then we can do her
40 harm.
If we permit cur relations with her,
to remain in their present situation,
shall we not derive some benefit The
answer in the affirmative is evident, be-
cause her ports would be open to the re-
ception Of our captures. 1t is our most Oh
vious policy then, not to declare war against
France. Let no federalist, or British par.
tizaD start with affected surprise at these
remarks, for the proposition IS clear To de-
monstration. In regard to Great Britain,
who is styled the mother oTour country, but