Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-10-07
VIRGINIA. ARGUS.
70 Me Ndyter 2ftAe YlnclxlA Aac us..-
Y C II M 0 W ID,
MONDAY, OcToBER z, 1911.

TO fhc Editor Of the YIRcINIA .dRc US.
SIR,
The observation so often repeated, that
Great Britain is fighting for the liberties of
the world, against the universal domination
OF France, has excited in my mind consid-
CRADLE reflection. itappearsto me, that fit he
fact, that the British Government be thus
truly impelled to combat, it has chosen a
method of fighting, as it affects the Ameri-
cans, quite at variance with wisdom. Incon-
tending for the liberties of mankind, the first
obvious step is to rally round us the nations
who arc friendly to freedom (; first, by con-
yincing them OF our justice: second, by mani
testing liberal spirit in the contest. Has CT
Britain done either the one or the other?
First, as to her justice. We look III vain
for a solitary instance To our repeated de-
mands for property unlawf,illy seized, for
seamen tyrannically impressed, and to our
circumstances for citizens murdered, the
British have invariably presented equivccae
ton, procrastination, falshood, and treachery
The proof Oft this is, the well-known conduct
OF Canning, Wellesley, Jackson, Rose and
Erskine
Second, as to the h5crahty Of Great Bril-
tain. We find her policy uniformly regula-
ted by interested motives. Gain is the sfinr1-
ius. Our carrying trade was cut up, be-
cause we prohted by it, and Great Britain
lost. Our cotton and tobacco were exclu-
ded from the European continental markets
by the British Orders in Council, until
France resolved to do without them; and
this only because Great Britain was deprived
| of her usual advantages III the traffick.
Thus unjust and thus unScnerous, what
sympathy can Great Britain excite, even
suppeehg her to be sincerely engaged in con-
ten3hgAtotNhe freedom Of the worldl
Ltu%go little farther. In this con-
agaiIAtswbjh She is fghtingi For example
her advocates say She is fighting for the
| rights of nations yet she crushes those We
| ry rights in the conflict. Now, if man
| seeks my life, and under pretence of defend
| ing me third person steps in and gives me
mortal blow, where is the difference be-
tween the death suffer from the act of the
| protested friend, and that which might
suffer from my enemy There is none.
But what is nnf0ersal domination That
power which controls my actions, is as uni
versal to me, as ifit extended over the whole
globe. Thus, the power which Great Bri
tam exercises over the Irish, is as absolute
as If the British ministry had all the world at
| their feet. With regard to the foreign con, :
| merce Of the United States, Great Britain
| at this moment exercises universal dominate
on; fer she will suffer us to trade to no nort
whose sovereign is at war with her. Then
what an absurdity is it, to draw an argument
| IN favor OF Great Britain, from the supposi-
| ton OF her fighting the battles of the world /;
since, if Great Britain be overcome in the
fight, or did not maintain it, the United States
could be III no worse plight than they are at
present, namely, under power universally
dominating ON the only element that they
want to be free. This is the true state Of
the case, let party-men warp it as they will.
Let her dsgorge the plumber she has swal-
lowed; let her restore our impressed sea-
men let her repeal her obnoxious orders in
council let her atone for the Chesapeake
and Little Belt affairs; let her manifest an
upright spirit and proper sense of honor !:
and then Great Britain may claim the sym-
pathy and command the appreciation of the
American people. REGULUS.
October 9, 1911.