Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-06-26

national independence. While. tn re-
fore, his prece<s and his example are
coniinuedto US Tor our future guidance
and direction, our safety can only be
endangered BY the perverseness OF our
rulers, o.. the blind and senseless infa-
tuation OF the people. His name is
written as the rainbow in the cloud, to
remind US that the troubled waters
have sebsided at his command, and as
a token that an limitation of his virtue,
and reverence for his example, will,
at all times, found the fury of the sur
rounding tempest, and assuage the bill
lows Of internal faction.
But if &c domestic ,preiudices and
animosities" are fostcrcd by the {" in
visible hand of foreign influence - if
our national dignity shall be forgotten,
IN g deep-rooted" jealousy of one
nation, or an excessive partiality for
another: (if We are dazzled by the
splendid achievement of the proud on
Pressors of nations, and lose sight of
that boundless and inordinate ambiti.
on, which is their most owerful, If not
their only motive of action; if we are
regardless of their unparalleled aegres.
sions, and Indifferent to the atrocities
by which their objects are promoted
by such a course We shall become
auxiliary to their schemes of usnrped
dominion, and eventually contribute
to the subjuga,ion and slavery OF our
own country. Shall we not; then. be
prompted by the principles of seff-pre.
servation, to watch the motions. that
we may shun the influence of those
over-grown powers, who, forgetful
OF their true &c dignity and honor"
have 6 immortalized their fame, not
by recording 1t on the brilliant pages
OF iliustrious philanthropists, on the
durable annals of the great, the God
like benefactors of man-but on the
sorrowful tofhbs of slaughtered milli-
ons--on the desolaie runs of mourn
ful principalitics, Kingdoms and en-
pires!''
We accord with your Exceilency in
the opinion, that the present condition
OF Europe, indicates an inde6nate con-
tlnuance OF war, which has become
necessary to the existence of one Of
the beiligerents, aud probably, to the
iutnre safety of the the whole civilized
world.
During this unprecedented struggle.
1T Is the first duty of the Government
to preserve an honest and impartial
neutrality, Sc far as it can be maintain
ed, without hazarding our national
safety and independence. But as past
events afford US too much reason to
apPrehend that such position cannot
be long supported against the unceas
i"S e""is % or ti-- -~-,,hatants. tn force
us into participation of their danners
aud dIstresses, we most cordially mite
with your Excellency in the opinion.
that sound policy and even ordinary
discretion, demand OF our Governments
vigorous and active preparations for
state OF open hostilities with ono of
the Belligerent powers-such course
is the more obviously necessary, mas
much, as we have been adnonished bv
most affective experience, that, in
this conflict of determination. even
peace is but state of warfare in dis
guise; aud that the rights ofneutralitv,
Occasionally violated by both the con.
tending parties are atlength avow-
edlv subjected TO the arbitrary will of a
government, which acknowledges no
other rule of action, than that every
nation shall be sdbservient to the con.
quest of its enemies, and the unlimit.
ed extention of its power.
We must cheerfully concur in the
sentiment of your Excellency. that
" hdsbandry and commerce are the
two great pillars of the Commonwealth.
$ and that not a right. of either ought 70
be invaded, or impaired, whilst she, in
subordlnation to the General Govern
ment, has an arm to protect them"
Inc distresses we have endured from
the suspension ofth one, * consequent
depression of the other, admonish us.
that, as we cannot long exist without
the . aid of these natural allies.'' e.
ven war, with all its calamities. is to
De preferred to a permanent abondon-
ment of either.
The eooharvoear.-..