Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-10-07

WAsH1ucrnnc1ruSa,.

WASHINGTON CITY. Sept g.
however different the portrait may be
mat IS drawn by party prejudice, the factis.
thal there is no nation on earth that so un-
aerrates IT'S power and resources as the A.
meIlcan people. Ovious causes have pro-
duced this effect. The revolution. which
SO gloriously achieved our liberties, and the
frame OF general government which soon af-
Ter consolidated and secured them, left our
countrymen almost without an upgratifed
desire. The greatest object of our revolu-
tlonary struggle was the attainment Of indie
pendence. 1t was not contest for dominion
nor was it waged to CRAFTY anv vindGtive
feelings. Wewere completely satisfied with
the guarantee OF our own happiness without
destroying or disturbing that of any other
people. The era of peace was an era Of
Joy' and was immediately followed by a res
torit,on OF all the commercial and social tea
mat had so long united us with the nation
with whom our successful contest had bro
ken all political Connection. with the ces-
satlon OF the occasion of our animosity with
her ceased the luminosity itself, in the room
OF which general sentiment Of liberal amity
was substituted. Oar YES els few on the
swrftest pinions OF the wind to her ports, and
returned laden with her manufactures. Such
were our feelings to our late enemy. T. our
recent friends, all the DINER natIens cf El-
rope who had directly or indirectly aided us
IN asserting oue rights, the ntiment of a
lively gratitude was superadded.
Under these circumstances, our people
universally devoted themselves to the adj
vancement Of their interest by industrious &
enterprising habits. a boundess and fertile
held lay before them, and an eminent sue
cess crowned their labors. The political in
dependence they had earnedwas crowned bv
a very general pecuniary independence. it
is not, therefore, surprising that the, have
been hthertomore intent ON the promotion
OF their own interest, on surrounding their
families with comfort and plenty. than re-
gardtul OF the quantum Of power that could
ensue from an aggregation ofindidLsl resour-
ces. No war has called forth those resour-
ces. AL that has been done by the govern
ment in regard to its fiscal concerns and die
creation OF an armed force, has been accom-
piishcd without effort and almost without co..
ercion. Taxes have been so light as scarce
~ to be felt, and have been almost altoeeth.
CT confined to imported objects of cons1mp-
ton.
Yielding to the fallacious estimates Of ma
ional power and grandeur, so prevalent Of
late, that granduate nations, not so much in
the ratio OF the comfort and happiness of
their citizens, as in glaring displays Of mill
'.'i ShS 51s Mhfst We nave OCen CODtcmpla-
ting with an awful admiration the atrocious
acts Of unprincipled power that have shaken
Europe 70 its centre, we have been altoeeth-
or inattentivc to the truly sublime spectacle
OF nation, advancing, by the bold and vir-
tuous developement Of it's resources, to great
and solid power.
Some, If not great benefits have flowed
from this happiness. We have not been inn
PEELED, by approaching our condition. torash
or premature conflicts with more powerful
nations than ourselves. We have not, by
fruitless wars, uipped in its bud power des-
tined, under a judicious treatment, to a vast
expansion. lfthe expression be allowed, our
strength has been increasing in compound
ratio. / he principal has been receiving con-
slant aeoessions OF aceruing interest, uni the
whole has been consolidated together into
one compact mass.
IL would be happy forus il the powers of
k.ALokS -a2LaQ- allGl.- - % Iemaia in our sol-