Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-12-19

yaiid tss,rt u The invasion Of tie -nemy's te--
rito-iat proriiiccs. lie contcnd.d that this
woutG,he ineiic acIous ard he maintained thai
to CONVEX our merchants mt .privateers, would
Dc 70 turn them loose upsu the seas as highw&v|
robbers taSy would not.he competent TO carl
~ on Var IN this Way. They would has ii
abandoned their peaceful pursuits. They would
accept the fraternal embrace Of French SUI
Jects' right side by side with them, md SUBJ
nit themselves to the will of The french CIR Il
peror< However scrup,Ilo,tS--- srtlemcn m.rl. !.
now he, when the hoiY OF danger came the VI
would accept the alliance Of Frarcc The n:
uond interests world be identified with thos~
OF the European continent. We should adane
the continental sustem, in which our libertie !
ald independence would be ieo,lar,lized. lie
deprecated the invasion of Canada as an act of
foreign conquest. We could not suppose Great
Britain would slurnbcr over our occupation &c
II ), and where should We find Il Stationary eprG :
able TO keep possession Of it as a conquered pro
vince Admit II as sister into the union, 5 {
dare not abandon It at the peace and there.
fore we could not give it back for Tie restora&
ton OF our maritime rights. But suppose G.
Britain should be brought TO her knees audi.
this was all the most valiant Of us would ask !.
what have we To expect, if the power and the
commerce of England should be thrown into tho
arms OF France, from the high, the mighty the.
imperial man Napoleon Would he respect Ii !
more than England would They both follow
their own interests, as we ought TO follow ours
What would be the effect Of this war upon our
selves lie feared war, not from puerile fear.
OF ITS expenses or Of death hut from a manly
dread ct the consequences of this war, whici,
must last rs long as England has a ship at se:.
or man to man it. 1t must link us to the dcs-
TIMES OF continental Europe it would pace US
under complete foreign influence and foreign
dominion 1t would change our political insti-
tltions. The sagcs who framed the constitu
ton, and illumined it bv their commentaries
had predicted that il would not suit IN stand
the shock OF war. The republic would be ruined
by war We did not want courage 4; the revolu-
ton had shewn proofs of the greatest yalour ev-
or exhibited by human nature. But few circIlm-
stances besides invasion would Justify war IL
would strengthen tAe executive arm at the eX :.
Perse OF the Legislature. The chief magistrate
would have to carry on the war lie would uDpn
lhe plea ofnccesSity, change cur appropriations
from one object to another The constitution
would be sapped. The Legislative power would
be DESTROYED lie cared no, for the prices OF cot
ton and tobacco, compared with the constitution
War would introduce a slavish subordination a
mons the people; they would lose their resui-
iican simplicity and their republican indepen-
dence. They would neglect their hom-spun foe
inc lniitSry plume and the gilded epaulette
Their morals would become Deprived. Love
OF lnieness ana extravaganza, a neglect of the
dgl pursuits of common lue, would take place
The desire would again prevail, Of acquiring
large fortunes by the aid of invention, at the
eXpenseiof the war-worn soldier, whose fruits
would be taken away for mere song, as they
had been at the close ofthe revolution Cupi-
duty would be introduced and pervade the pub
lie mind
have made these remarks, Mr. Speaker, to
repel the declarations of gentlemen, that TO vote
tor this resolution would pledge. ne to embark
IN war. If war is necessary,I WIN not shrink
from II, bag as 1t IS with calamity and ruin It
will be the duty fgovcrnmeht 20 obviate some
OF ITS evils am in hopes too, sir that may
have been so fortunate rs TO check the inteIa-
peranee of the youth of my country; they will
excuse mr.. Trust We may not be led away by
the ardor OF youth orofold age. I shall vote
for the increase of the regular force, to go hand
III hand with my government, even in a war, II
necessary and just. have not made this
speech to prove that am against war.