Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-11-23

, English eyes, cannot be respectable.
The British, somewhat a proud and
stubborn people, could not ,, spec, a
natioh which, in court;ng saeir good
will, display ed the meanness OF seTvle
dependence. They might accept the
servility, whilst they despis-d tbs PEG.
pie that offered it.
| How much better would the British
think of US, If, in seeking their freud.
ship, we do it upon terms which we
are not ashamed to avow in the fare. of
the world This is what the repub-
llcans desire ; and it is what the e de-
ralists ought to unite in for, it is in
that way alone that we shall be able to
establish for ourselves q country and a
name; thingswhich do not depend up
on soil, climate. or theNnateriuI circu
stances which surrouAd us, but upon
the Beauty OF our mo,S and political
actions. This beauty, SO exceedingly
desirable, yet SO little understood, con-
sists In an erect spirit, sociable dispo
silion, liberal temper, and all those
particulars which, in common lie, con-
stitute good breeding in affairs ofbusi
ness. The attitude in which this beau.
ty OF character presents the u. States
to foreign nations. is precisely what the
republicans have endeavored. to per-
sect: They are anxious that the basis
luPon'w hich the two countries associate
& correspond, should be reciprocal, and
not disgrace either. We do not wish
lat 6. Britain should be dishonored by
our acquaintance, but rather ennobled !;
and that, on the other hand, the Unit
sd States should not be degraded by
her acquaintance with Great Britain.
II, as the federalists havevery often
asserted, the United STATES are nothing
more than the children of Great Bril-
tain, and IT that figure is to prevail,
still the republican doctrine comedies,
better than that Of their opponents,
with the ideas which the most enlight.
ed men attach to pare,ltdge; and }. In. .
stead OF the British viewing the pros
lperity of the United States with the
detraciive eye OF envy, they ought 10
be pleased and even delighted at the
progress which their offspring are
making in commerce and the arts.
| 1t ought, one would think,to be the
effort OF us all, to institute for our
selves national Character and that.
| st our opinions in politics vary as
much as they will, yet that We ought
! to cling, withoot exception, to the
name dn,ericIa, now rendered more
dear and precious, on account OF ours
being the only country on the globe
where man is really free, where he is
1secured in the entire enjoyment of the
! fruits of his Industry, aud where he can
| openly and safely bid defiance to reli.
gious and political tyranny. The in
stitution OF a good and great national
character, which should be distinguish
ed; for trobay, .fortitude, moderation
and so maintained as TO win the affec.
tons eff foreigners, can only be effected
by avoiding every thing like rage, ma.
!: lice, and SANDER, in the nvestigatioi
OF public conc rn7. We should argue
TO the United States, and not to Eng
land and France /; our thoughts shoult
be turned iHwards, and we should &c
a thorough knowledge of ourselves, @
our resources, and the uses to which
we can appropriate them. This self
examination will produce in us a kline
) OF pride; the pride (being that which
| In an individual, makes the true gen
: tieman) will beget national dignity ant
! decorum; and, respecting ourseIye
more, we shall lend ourselves to othe
t nations less.
! LAW INTELLIGENCE.
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