Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-05-09
1 i-nd Actiye, hat" you aud Grog are
sworn enemies."-[ The c.. aasr.
From the National In.elligereer.
To THE DDfTos.

ov the act OF the legislature OF Penn
svivama Tor the encou, agement Of CIR
tam specified great objects, published
IN one Of your Late papers, & by the re-
port Of the commissioned appointed
by the legisla of NV York 20 ex.
piore the route Of al iIIand navigation
IRON Hudson's river to lake Ontario
mi lake Erie. The formeris q ma
sure definitely adopted the M
project relative to an object so IL 7nir--
~ important, that little doubt res.s on
my mind of its Accomplishments ar 70
remote day. BY the former $500
dollars are actually approprinei by The
state OF Pennsylvania 10 roads & bridc.
es; while by the latter an opening IS
presented to the expenditure, On ana
Joyous OBJ cts, of a, least four or Ave
millions. When contemplate VII {
IS thus actu lily done, or proposed TO
be done, by but two members of the
confederacv, cannot ref in from en-
curing whether III nation i so debas.
ed & impoverished as party spirit pour
trays Ii mot avoid enqairing,
whether prosperity has not robbed US Of
one OF the noblest feelings of our ma.
ture-of gratitude VIII, thtr, in fact.
the heads o. Our political greeks are
not turned, and their hearts cailous TO
he surrounding felicity?
These sir, are qus stions Of no mean
conside ration. Their correct solution
NAV be the first step to returning So
briefly. If the American nation is not
| only the freest, but likewise the happi.
est on earth +; If while almost every To-
reign government, with which we are
politically or commercially united,
'ramples with arrogant tyranny on the
rights and sPorts'wi.h the happiness OF
It's subjects, ours alone protects and
promotes those of its citizens IL,
while every foreign government that
treats us with injustice reaps its re.
ward in war, financial embarrass ment.
or the famine or penury of its subjects.
ours, treating all mankind with rigid
and forbeariog justice, maintaios peace,
commands revenue, and preserves an
universal plenty; whence is il, that a
nation thus happy and exalted is con.
stantly represented as wretched, and
Inundated almost below contempt?
live were really SO debased as those
representations make US, their policy
might well be questioned, from their
endency to aggravate the evils which
they deplored but when they are TO-
tally destitute OF foundation, what are
we to think OF the morals or the views
OF those whose daily occupation con-
sists in stigmatising their country. and
sapping the best feelings of our citi-
zens feelings on the existence of
which the general welfare altogether
depends Can it be that these factious
spirits, ever averse TO good govern
ment and tranquility, seek to suhvert
our happy sys EN- by inspiring a gene
raj contempi for it, and distrust Of IT'S
competency to protect our rights and
interests, that they may in the conse-
quent confusion fatteu upon the spoiIs
OF anarchy and uproar? If these are
not their views, still there can be no
doubt but that they would be the inc.
vitable effects OF their success. I.et
them once succeed in bumiliatinp the
great body of the people, and the elas-
tic spring of liberty will be broken.
perhaps forever. Lee them succeed in
producing a general impression thar
the best efforts of our best citizens
have failed to secure the general inte-
rests, and what else can follow, but the
conviction of the incompetency Of our
form OF government, 20 answer the
great and indispensable ends for which
it was instituted Then, indeed, we
shall be ripe for any thing. The sword
of the usurper need scarcely be drawn
from its soabbard. An abiect and hui
inflated people will, without a strug.
gle, yield their NJ cks TO the frst yoke
fabricated for them.
Let me not be misunderstood.
While I would frowu indignantly up
on every attempt 10 destroy OF veal.
en- the selirespect which bee, mes Tree
men, 1 would be no less ayssse 10 re-
commencing or instIl.ing arrogance or
Unbound d pride Of character. Natl
onal pride, without IA ron i moras or