Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-01-09
lSstrglnla Nrg,l8.
R &c fl NJ o N D,
TUESDAY, IAnuAar 8. 1910.
ADMoNIroRY MESSAGE.

constitutional duty, and displayed
much of the true spirit ola wise states
man. We should like to have seen,
indeed a little more aeroe in the COM
ynunication but, all things consider
ed, it is certainly a very commendable
step; such an one, in truth, as all SEN
sible men Cet party zealots preach as
they will,) must approve. Had it
been little more in estenso, it would
certainly be loudly abblauded. ~
We lay down two propositions as
the grounds of our opinion on this sub
ject, which we think it will be difficult
TO controvert, that is to sav---
1st. The government of the United
States, from It's very nature, cannot
act with secrecy: it follows, of course,
that all the world knows and is mi
nutely acquainted with every step
which it takes, either to maintain its
rights or to relinquish them:
2. No nation can vindicate It's honor
or avenge its wrongs without preparati-
on for war: consequently, Gas the whole
world knows at all times what we are
about, } SO long as we are not prepared
for war, the whole world knows that
we cannot fight, however much we are
injured.
From these two propositions this
conclusion irresistibiy follows, to
wit (; that let our Congressmcn blus-
ter and talk big as long as they
please, both England aud France are
well assured that they have nothing
TO dread, ,ill soldiers, cannon, and
bavonets are voted.
Let us look back little, and we
shall very clearly perceive the Propri-
ETY. OF what the President has done,
and of what CONGRESS- ought to do.
Five thousand of oar seamen were
land are) impressed On board the Bril-
fish navy. Whar is the remedy? Ne
gociaticn.
The harbor of New York is blocka-
ded and citizen killed. What is the
result? Negotiation.
Our merchant vessels are seized at
sea under newrule (of'56) and their
cargoes condemned in British vice.
admiralty courts. What is the cure
for this evil? Negotiation.
A national fri5ate is attacked by a
British ship of war, part Of the. crew
slain, and others carried away into cap-
tivity. What is the redress Town
meetings, addresses, slang-5uhanging,
and-Ncgociation.
The captain of a petty British sloop
of war (the Driver insulted one Of
our chief cities. What is done? Mego.
citation.
France violates our commerce in an
outrageous manner. What steps are
takea? Negotiation.
During all these abuses, Congress
convened many times: various inaan-
matory and witty speeches were deli
vered, and logic, ridicule, and inVcc-
tive, poured fof!h in streams, falls, and
cataracts. What was the event j?
Why, the foreign abuses continued !;
each party praised its own speeches,
and dubbed six-pences 20 have cart
loads of them printed. Things passed
on & we again resorted to--negociati-
on.
A. long as England & France found
that we bore it with patience, or rather
with speeches and neg0ciation, without
preparing for the worst, so long have
they treated us as persons worshy ofno
thing but insults & outrages. Its true,
both the British aud the Frenca have
"received and discussed propositions"
bit they have also continued at the
same time their nalconducf.
But the prospect Of 1Oar, says Que
faction, is terrible affair: there will
BE- bloody noses and broken bones.
# is all true: but it is the lot OF hu-
manity; and nature has ordained that
those who will not fight and risk thcis
noses and bones for their rights, shal.
have none. And let it be runem5er-
ed, that our citizens have bcea en,lt-
we'd, our flag tramP'cd under Re {, or
pleople's noses and bones bloodisd and
broken in the very lap of peace.
Yet war is not al evil, in It's place.
1t is only the abuses Of war that are
oJious and aggressive. a just AMI
honorable war, Is NOBLE exertion %
valor in defence OF victue and Justice.
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