Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-06-06
MODESTUs.
FROM THE SAME.

In governments where tyranny reigns It re-
quires all the vigilance of the rulers aud the
aid OF military force to repress instructions.
The people are ever ready TO rise, and would
rise, il they were not Kept downby tine strong
arm of absolute power. But in the u. States,
underline present administration, so mild is the
sway OF our government, net all tue turbulent
excitementso of demagogues not ali the extra
VACANT RIGHTEOUSNESS of lying presses, not all
the sham mourning of the violatcrs Of the
laws, can work a fermentation in the public
mind sufficient to produce rebellion. VIVA.
a satire is this plain fact upon the proceed
ings Of the honorable Harrison Gray OTIS.
and his corps Of declaimersl
To read the federal newspapers, stran-
ger might imagine that government had re-
Gently laid some odious tax upon the people, .
that the English law Of impressnent was en-
forced at Boston OF that a French conscription
demanded of the junior classes of citizens.
Indeed, scarcely any one would suspect that
the persons who raise such hideous outCry
had any thing to eat or drink or wear. Bat It
is nevertheless true, (and the oppressed sub
Jects OF European governments would be as
tonished to know it, that all this urroar is
made by men who eat roast beef, plumb-pad-
dings, fowls, and FISH three or four tines a
day; who regale themselves with tea, coffee.
vines whose vestments are silks and sat-
tins, the best lnnens and woolens, and the
rarest of cloths; who, in brief, enjoy all the
comforts and all the delicacies of Efe in the
greatest profusion. The poor Trishman,
grooming under the despOtism of his British
oPprcsSors, and feeding on. his scanty allow
yahce, would stare at this recital, and think,
at least that such people as those who have
been endeavorng to create riot at Boston,
must Be possessed with more than seven dew
lis. What would occasion the poor mans
wonder constitutes the strcDg'h aud security
OF the government of the Union, namely,
the hGfifineSS, the b1diUidUaihahtiHeSS eJrthe
heQfte. When the citizens have plenty to
eat, plenty to wear, and have free scene
of action, they may TO be sure, from mere
will rarely proceed to any thing very outra-
geous. IN such a case we may safely trust
10 solid enjoymcnts against false facts and
false arguments; for it is, in truth, teriag
opposed to Sofbisfry; the substantial bics-
sings Of life to the artificial contri aaces Of
misguided ambition.f
If, in effect, thcfcondition Of every other
nation we're Furnishing; if Cur commerce a.
lone we're curiaile1; Tit were onlt the tner-
chants of this country who became bankiup.s,
there might be cSuse Of compliant But
what l. The fsct' Universal rain preyailsa-
mong Tie English merchants the commerce
Of France Is extinct that Of IL Hard, Of tue
Hanse Towns Bremen, Hamburg and LdDtcs,
Is gone the trade Of Depmlrk, of 5wedst4
and even Russia, IS nearly no more sc1rct-t
II q fragment IS lett 70 spain, Portugal and
Jay. hlm9st al &c world, except cur
solves, is Involved n war; and America is
tic Only commercial country where ndivi1i-
al Deggtry and individual wrctcned,iess so
not ezis, IN most cslgluitous dssrse. Nls
we not tien, a fOrtdnate pe5Tier Who Is
there 20 stupid 81 sciG-sUfi-ieut. 50 irg te-
filto beLefceAt PT whence, act - 5e thank
81, when Whole city il IL ire, aldt iis
dwelling Las escaped with sight injury from
the hsmesS
If the present state Of things is not congo