Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-09-21

comprising Newburyport, has DECLINE
led are.election.
*s.* We have concluded in this days
paper, the excellent Grafton on CO.
veenment, by our esseemed Z young
friend William X. Roans.---It viii
amply repay an attentive perusal.
from TIE NATIONAL INTELLIGENeEa.
Not day passes over our heads
that we are not almost stunned with
the clamor shat we are degraded ma
ton! There are those who, FIVE APP
'preciate their motives by their actions,
think it criminal to defend the charac-
ter and uphold the reputation Of their
country. 2hey vie with each other in
terms of reproach and obloquy /: the
|strife is not who shall do the highest
honor to the nation, but who shall
most literally contribute to produce
conviction that it is degraded.
IF we are indeed degraded, it must
|either be in our characterrela;ively 10
the world or it must be in the inter-
nal administration of our affairs.
Are we at this day to be told that
Jour character, weighed in the balance
with that of AIRY other nation on earth,
would kick the beam? Let us con-.
trast it with that of either of the two
great European nations, between
whom aud ourselves comparisons are
most frequently drawn. In the result
ofthe comparison Americans will find
motive for exultation rather than
lself-debasement.
France, ruled by monstrous des-
ipotism, swallowing SUCCESSFULLY and
rapidly an its vortex the nations OF
continental Europe; stupendous CO.
lossus, bestriding nearly ,one-fourth of
the habitable world with one hand
beckoning neutral commerce into her
ports and with the other plurdering it
without mercy for the support of I'M
perial splendor, thus setting atde6ance
all the principles of right and justice
heretofore protested to be regarded a.
mong nations; with a military force
lproportioned to the extent OF her con-
iquered domain, yet trembling at the
influence of the press and shackling il
and freedom In restrictive fetters--
Does she afford the brilliant picture
with which cur more humble destiny
| is invidiously conirasted?
England, also under a monarchy,
weighed down by her foreign posses
sions--her extremities too weak for
her emaciated trunk to support: her
mobility and enormous hierarchy sport
ing In luxury and extravaganza whilst
general bankruptcy stares them in the
face; engaged in a warfare with her
! deadly enemy, most humilia;ing, how
ever it may be disguised--destined to
see her every effort inglorieuly relin-
quished or ending in defeat; burthen.
ed with national debt of EIGHT hun
dred millions !; the complaints or MUIR
murs of her distressed population
checked only by legions Of foreign
mercenaries sufficiently numerous to
keep people in awe and in. this state
of unnatural and artificial strength in
sultiog and plundering whom she can,
seeking no other Justification than such
rs necessity, the tyrant's plea, affords
is this the glorious state of national
character or prosperity which our dis
contented politicians sigh for.
Is it in comparison with these natl
ons that we are pronounced to be de-
gradeds The glory of a nation con.
sists in the virtue which characteristics
il, and ensures TO It the good opinion
of wise and discerning men. Unless
il be acknowledged that justice and
freedom are degraded by compare
son with violence and despotism, it
must be acknowledged that the United
States stand in the foremost rank OF
nations. is there man OF wisdom or
Idiscernment, who looks fairly at the
thing, that will not acknowledge that
we have reason to De grateful for the
situation in which we find ourselves;
when compared with any other nation
in the world! IL may be safely affirm
ed that there is not at this moment
nation in existence, with whom, TAX.
ing every thing into view, any consi-
derable portion of the people of this