Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-03-14
Dlrgusa ,yyya5.
RIG II NJ 0 n ID.
TUESDAY, MARCH IL. 1909.
To the EDITOR Of the ARGUS.

nave viewed with great surprise ant
regret the course taken by some repuDii
cans and protested friends of the presea
administration. They lavish great and in
oiscriminate abuse on the republican mem
oers OF the late congress for the adoption o
the non-insercourse bill, which is styled al
act OF submission to the belligerents, and de.
8radation as It respects our own country
PERSONS who adopt this language act d r
equally imPoiitic and unjust. They espouse
the cause of the enemies of the govern eot
anu so far cooperate in their hostility &c
tue republican party. The leading repuo.
iican members IN Congress were decidedly
OF opinion that the embargo ought NOT to
nave been exchanged but for war. An eff
Tort was made to obtain that course, but a
maJsrity decided against it, and a strong
sentiment seemed to pcrvadc even porti-
on OF the republicans in Congress for an
unconditional repeal of the embargo. and
substituting for 1t a permission to merchant
men to arm. TINS would nave wrested
from the deliberate W .sdom of the yovero !.
nent the question of war and peace. and
nave enabled interested and unprecedented
individuals to have involved Us with which
ever nation their passions or prejudice.
should dictate. The failure of the embar
go was owing to the intrisues of foreign ma !.
lions and the wicked efforts OF some Of onr
ciizens who co -operated to elude us PROV.
oo"' In considering the policy of Con
Sos we ought no. then merely TO consider
"hae IN the abstract would h we been the
pest measure to adopt. We ought to de-
olue NIB question; whether it was not bet.
Ter to adopt the non intercourse tban suh-
mit to All unconditional repeal of the en,ban
so, with permission to merchant vessels -
arm Great injustice is done TO the -,
rity ut the republican members from V;rg,
MA, ny accusing them of an abando,n, o.,
Oh principle because after us no every =,
'ore 10 OBTAIN measure which their indy
'hents dictated, they were constrained n
ADOPT another, which, though not so elficien,
as they desired, was the mca of. ,vo,i;,,
Course really disgraceiul and cal,mirone
" the country. Inc non Intercourse b,s
oesh enormously tgm s,lsed as an act or
SUBMISSION. ny preventing the introtluc,i
on OF British and French vesselx int 49,, :,
ports, and by the exclusion of I. err orodmc
ions or manufactures and those of their no
pehoencieS, those nations will be s1.,iec,ed
10 conslaerabie inconvenences and distre.s
besides, should their hestIie poi.cv RI tn,.
Country Continue, Congress, who will NEE,
I'D May, will resort most probably. to W.
ehe necessity of when viii then '.e ,nnr.s
sea on every man VINO teeIs for the bonor
anu interest OF the nation. The enemies on
1ne embargo viii pretend to the peon,s
mat the partial repeal OF II by Congress- :,
PROOF that the measure was or,pnaii,,
wrong NO position IN be more decisive
1t 10 owing IN great measure to the bitter
ano unJust liable opposition made to that
measure, 10 the hopes which 1t excited nm
ioreiSh and hostile nations, to the encourage.
hent winch was gwen to faction and dissf-
Ne'io, al nome, that we are to trace the
Pareai nature OF It's success. Let no, the
Peop1e men De deluded by such suggestions.
- 'ne"i not permit these enemies to our
yrtuous administration, to derive benefit
rom "hat IS IN the opponents of the gov
er""'eh' really proper subject of inCuiDa
uoh' Ane times are alarming. and
IL oehoves every man attached to the prin.
cipies OF oar government TO come forward
ana support the majority in the public conn
CHS, VINO have adopted measures the moo,
saiutary to the country wh.ch they could
OBTAIN. lhe administration OF Mr Mad.
son VIII consummate the policy and prjnci.
pies by w0ich Mr. Jefferson has been ac,n
ated. But to enable him and the Congress
10 90 so, it Is necessary that every Citizen
reaiiy attached to republican PRINCIPLES.
Suoulu chhg 10 their government and sun
port u against foreign Intrigue and the arts
oi designing men, who wish TO obtain power
which they would only possess to abuse. Let
me peope then, consider as insid,ous. or
at any rate, misguided, the policy which a,
time when harmony and unanimitv a :
nonSst the republicans are all important.
shouIo endeaVor to diminish their confidence
IN men whose patriotism have stood the
test of the severcst trials-and who have
used their best efforts to promote the pub
TIC happiness. Let them not be condemn
ca Tor rot doing every thing, when thew
nave accomplished all that was IN their
power. And above all, let us not foryet
mat many OF those who pretend to censure
!he measures adopted, as weak or degrad i.
ing, were tor the unconditional repeal of the
embargo, or Tor ITS repeal with permiss,on
to arm, which would have placed the now
er OF peace or war, and with whom, IN the
hands OF the most profigate Of QUE own ci
lzens, and even of foreigners who mleht
nave assumed our flag to prost tu,e IL TO
the views OF foreign government Mea-
sures such as these, won d, indeed. have
dishonored and dIsgraced the nation, and
soon made us humble vasssls fighting under
the banners OF England or France. No dis.
passionate man, then, will hesitate to say.
mat OF the systems which we're attainabl,.
IN the temper manifested in Congress tue
best was selected. 1t only remains for the
people to support this measure with zeal