Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-09-12
FOR TIE ARGUS.
REFLECTIONS N'TuG DEFEAT OF
TIE AUSFRIANS.

wing engaged the French from the 4th to
the Sth of Jily, was defeated with the loss
of so 900 men
/ Though az first view, the friend of hu :.
mainly may seem indifferent whether the
Austrian ar the French emperor prove VIC
! torous because, in either case, the u1for-
| tunate SUBJECTS must De the sstfsrers: yet
when he dispassi onately surveys IN causes
and consegncnces of the present controver..
sy, he Cannot long remain indifferent to its
| Issue.
Nations, though they are considered as SO
many units, of whom together is composed
the collective mass of mankind, yet con-
merce and treaties have so interviewer their
respective destinies, that the most remote
becomes affected by those chlngcs and re-
| volutons which happen to other countries.
When he, therefore, reh cts, that the mis-
fortunes OF one country become an indirect
cause of the aggrand ment of another he
is aimos! compelled to exclaim with Hobbies,
that mankind were born in state Ut enmity
! toeach other and that, ike the beasts OF the
| forest, the subsistence of the ole arises from
the destruction of his fellow.
These reflections force themselves upon
the mind when we advert TO the late CON
duct OF the British government towards this
country, And as we have experienced the
supercli BUSINESS of that cabinet dur, p the
| nomentary success of her allies, Sd we have
reason tn expect now upon their lat. re 4.
verse OF fortune, that their adversely Will
| contribute TO teach her greater moderate :
on.
Whlist we thus express our opinion of a
more favorable prospect which the prese At
news holds out for the adjustment of our d,f-
terences with q Britain: we are compel.
led by our own feelings to regret that con :
test wherein We're displayed 50 much de-
Votion towards their government, and such
ardent gallaotry in its defence, on the part
o. the Austrian people, should we proved
unfortunate in its issue.
| Whether France or Austria be the freer
1 nation, is consideration enutsly foreign
TO the present question. w believe that
the governmental eitheris equ lily ,ndiffsr-
ent to the rights of the people and almost
equally oppressive. But still we respect the
Opinions OF whole people and though
such opinions happen to be nothing but pre- :
JUDGES, we consider such as entitled to some
small share of our veneration.
| That the Austrians are unfit for the en-
| joyment of freedom from long subsection
to feudal government, we believe but that
their reduction under the existing govern :
ment OF France, or under any of the prin.
ces OF the Bonaparte dynasty, Will do little
to amelioratc their condition, is what we
hold, not self-svident, at least as extreme.
| ly probable.
Fer the calamities of the people of Aus
tria IN the present struggle, every good man
VIII feel: but for the reigning family. those
acquainted with their deeds VIII expert
ence little pity. The authors of the par
tltion of Poland and of the treaty of Pilnitz,
owe debt to the injured rights of man :
kind, which Of providence be iust) must be
atoned for either in this or in another world
me writings fher philosophers rescued
france from the chain of feudal slavery.
Blu combination of despo,s, with whom
the progress Of truth was deemed crime,
BY menaces from abroad and by bribine
parties within: by the consequent jealousy
ana strust they cccasioned, dissolved the
principles of social order and corrupted
the morals of the people.
From the principles of self-defence,
France transformed itself into e. nation oil
soldiers: and thus became prepared to sub.
NIT to the despotism Of any fortunate mill.
tary adventurer.
Such was the effect of the conspiracy oil
Pnnitz and thns was a revolution the mos
glorious IN hIstory--a revolution in govern
nent and IN manners "a triumph over ty
ranny and superstition, frustrated in the
"Nta'h'HChI OI us OBJECT.
But the abettors of despotisn, though
they may have had reason to rejoice in
temporary success OF their Vaccinations
have had none in the truth of their princi
pies or of their after fortune.
Providence has taken care to vent tn,
crimes of the people of France upon tnei
opPressors. Their power has nearly disap
peared before monster whom they them
selves, have rendered formidable by re
sIstance--a monster that continues to feet
upon the spells of nations, and is rendered
iniuriate by human blood.
4 That the sentiments Of the mass Of tn
mass OF the Austrian people are yet favor
able to the house Of Lorraine the insur
rections throughout those countries tina
! formerly belonged to the Germ m empire
are tous an indu5itable proof, because the
are acknowledged by the relations of bot
belligerents.
Under sued circumstances, when pstri
; otism, 81 enthusiasm, or prejudice (call
which you please) com5ats on the side
the Austrians, the war becomes the caus
of the people and no, of the prince. 5
+, that notwithstaD ling the superior dsciplin
and formidable name of the armies of III
, great Napoleon, it would still be hazard
GUS TO decide a case where enthusiasm ca
: do so much and so much depends upon for
+. tune, to which side shall the issue 6ualI