Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-02-13


the acquisition of territory, OF any ether
object of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT or ambition-but
what is a war of self defence /? When any
attribute of national sovereignty whatever,
Is attacked by foreign power, it then be-
comes a case Of self defence to the party
attacked. In the case between the u. S.
and u. Britain, not only is a national at
tribute assaIled bat the highss. national at
tribute sanctioned by the constitution OF the
U. 5. the corner stone of the constitution
itself. This then is scarcely a case of self
defence, aggravated with all the circum-
stances Of a continued claim and contemp-
t1ous insult. But although he deemed
war purely defensive alone just,Eable, yet
he thought 1t perfectly correct to carry on
such war, when undertaken Extensively.
And that II WAS perfectly Justifable to seize
on territory, and appropriate it as just
retribution for the evils of war unjustly in
hicted by the culpable assailant, or to resort
to any other means of offens We annoyance
Whatever, SC &c. Under every view OF
this subj<ct, therefore, he thought the meaa
sure contemplated by the bill recommended
as one part OF a system of preparations for
war. w
Mr.. G said, he would now bestow some
observations GA the objection of expense.
This point afforded an argument always
powerful, and for some years past irres,s.
ttible. Il is said 600. 600 dollars, the Con.
templated expense for equ:pping all the
frigates, is enormous He said ii was so
and 40 gentleman regretted the necessity
OF incurring this and other similar expen-
Sea, more than himself. But the correct
and proper question is not--is this sum not
enormous? 1t is, how can it be avoided,
and save tire rights and interests Of the na.
ton The real objection of this expense,
is te save the United States against the RAJ.
paciiy and mad ambition OF the rulers OF o.
Their nations and hence arises its indespea-
sible necessity. IL no doubt will appear
wonderful to speculative 2hilosophic mind,
to contemplate the enormous expenses In.
Cured by nations, for the purpose of self
protection against the raoacity and ambi-
tiou of The ru,ers of other nations. In this
respect, however, the United States haye
been at all times particularly fortunate,
compared with any other nation, with
which they have any intimate relations.
Take Great Britain, for INSTANCE, and Cali
culate the enormous expenses she incurs,
TO prolectherssh from the ambition OF her
own, and the rulers OF other nations--and
compare them with those incurred by the
United States for the same object; and the
latter would be to the former as a drop IN
the ocean. This would be the result 10
some degree in comparison with any o.
thee nation But the question IS, whether
il is nor better to incur this expense, than
to yield to the fatal influence of this un..
bounded rapacity and anotlou Indepen-
IDENTIFY Of exchsn. ,ing the attributes of free
dom and independence for the degradation
of slavery-woald not this submission cost
you more in money upon the most econoa
mical calculation /? Could you palcnase off
it's gripping influence tor sos, 900 dollars
Would nor your proud conQueror take Al
you had and think he had left you too much,
as long as you had a comfort remaining 7
The same speculative reflections may De
applied to the enormous Sums expended IN
the most perfect political associations for
the projection OF society against the violence
and depravity of individuals. To count up
all the costs expended, to protect the vir-
tuous and the good against the violence and
depravity of tneivicious and the bad, would
doubtless be a subject of wonder to a phil.
lnsCphic mind. Take the United States
/ for ex impie-and imagine the costs Of all
the courts of criminal Jurisdiction, the
grand and petit Juries witnesses, sc. Sc.
and add to them, the costs OF the dungeons,
the jails, the belts, the bars, the chaiss, &c.
&c. and the amouat would be enormous -
ara III you SuouiQ CuOOse 10 tuduske yourself
in the speculation still further, Count the
costs of all the locks ana keys in the II. 5.
&c. which would be useless, If there were
no such thing as human VICE and depravi-
ty-aBd the mind would be left IN a state of
astoDishment at the enor nous result, at the
lRmenss sums necessarily expended for
the protection of society against the bane.
full and destructive influence OF human W.
ces. But did ever any man doubt of the
prqprIety OF Ibis expenditure Did ne e..
yer pause and ask himteif, whether these
Eums were not enormous I No He knew
they were great in tOemselveszbut notn.
4 ing compared with the object 20 be OBTAIN
ed by them. kothing compared with the
PRESERVATION OF society freHl the destrucl-
I'VE influence of human violence and depra-
witty. And IS the result TO be wondered al
when you rctlect for moment at the ho-.
rible effects of giving them the triumph,
and yielding submission to their influence (!
| The same OBSERVATIONS will Apply with
I greater force to the society OF nations the
same Injurious consequences would result
from submission by one nation Co the de-
mands of the rapscieus and ambitious ru /.
lers Of another nation=-=.he was therefore
willing to resist aud repet them wnen d..
rected by any nation against the rights and
Interests Of the United states aud for that
purpose was willing TO incur the proposed
expense, or any other within the ablIity oil
the government, rather than TO yield suo.
missionto the destructive influence OF these