The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-08-11
Spirit of the People.

pose OF taxing the measures oi tne General
Government into consideration, and Of ma
king public expression of their sentiments
on the cccasion--
DANIEL COLEMAN was unanimously
called TO The chair, & VIM. TUNSTALL
Chosen secretary.
A Committee of the following gentlemen
was then appointed to prepare Resolutions
expressive Of the sense of this Meeting, to
wit: George Tucker. Thomas II. Wooding,
Eruneis Da5ney, Richard Johnson, 2homas
II. Clark, Jesse Leftsaieh. James Soyars,
yvilliam Clark, Chdnihness Terry, .Natha-
.,iet Viison. Noses. Hrtchtug., ,ycssf,h Car.
ter, Ssehhen Coiemon and Nm Wim0ssh /:
who withdrew, and after some time repor-
ted the following Preamble and Resolutions,
which were unanimously adopted
AT THIS important iunctpre, when the
IA Nation is called upon to vindica,e it's
injured rights by WAR, and a difference Of
opinion is supposed 70 exist among the pco-
pie, on the policy OF the measure, portion
OF tho citizens of ritlsyivania, voluntarily
assembled, conceive that they discharge a
duty as we'll as exercise a right, in making
this public expression Of their sentiments.
In common With the rest of our fellow c-
tizens we awaited with the most. anxious
interest the decision of our Representatives
on the, question of Peace on War will,
country as highly dangerous and alarming:
But our chief fear was that the guardians
of our rights, mistaking the ciamor of a par
~ for the voice ct the people, might sur
render the honor of the nation; and we
considered that the WORST danger W rs O.
yer, when Congress had finally determined
oman appeal to arms.
We had, indeed, long since abandoned
the dream of obtaining willing repatriation
from the government of Great Britain. II
her recent conduct to other nations if our
own former experience had warranted the
expectation, the history of her present con
trorersy with the United States would have
forbidden it. We find her gradually adj
vancing in her claims under the sue
cessivc pretexts of temporary usage Of
doubtful principles of national law and Of
forced applications cf these principles
Then laying aside the law OF nations as af-
fording NO further color to her usurpations.
she claims the sanction of her eneIny's ex-
ample for the right of injuring us ; and find
ing us still patient, she boldly advances
pretensions which would cancel the whole
code of neutral rights; would annihilate the
commerce of these States, and finally render
their dear bought sovereignty but a shadow
and name.
We here take occasion to observe with
the frankness of,men who feel their own no.
nor involved III the conduct OF their CO.
vcrnment, that some of the claims advan-
ccd by Great Britain are such as ought to
preclude discussion Too papably absurd
to require formal refutation, and too inso-
lent to deserye IL, they should always be
rejected with prompt disdain. To treat
them in different way is derogatory TO the
dignity oftlIc nation Nor is this all. Hv
deigning TO enter into discussion of their
merits, we embolden the British nation to
advance in its arrogant preiensiQns, and fa-
n,iliarize ourselves to the humiliating SEN
timents of inferiority and submission.
Considering WAR to have been long ago
imperiously dicrated by the conduct Of e..
Britain, We should be disposed to censhye
the Representatives of the Nation for their
TOO patent foIbcarance, if we were not ~
ware that they could not have counted up
On the undivided support of the Commune
ty.
In this Country, where the road to public
{ayor is the road to hoMsr, and that road is
open TO all, the government will probably
always meet with considerable opposition in
every important measure. But in none is
it likely to be SO strong as in controversy
with Great Britain. From the sameness of
Language, of manners and laws, and still
more fiQman extensive commercial inter-
course, great numbers of her subjects are
always resident among US, and possess a
degree Of influence unknown TO foreigners
~ any ether country, and to any other TO-
Teigners in this As may be expected, these
generally side with their native country in
all disputes with this government aid
and encourage the party in opposition, and
often, by meals oE the Press, dictate its
course.
The efforts Of this unpropitiaus union of
parties have been but too successful in di-
viding our c,ti@ens by making plausible ap-
peals>to their avarice, their fears, and their
we'll known attachment to peace.
Farbe it from us to- undervaluc the bene-
ITS Of Peace. Good i'll itself, it is par,icI-
larly recommended 20 us by the genius of
habits and inclinations Of our citizens. But
Is unfortunately does not depend solely upon
ourselves to prevent it. The British CO.
vernment has long since made War upon
our commerce AND the persons OF our coun
trymen. AND the only question with us was,
Whether we should return the blow. To
have doubted about the answer to this
Sresticn nay 10 nave longer hesitatrd,
would have made US contemplate in the
eyes of otjeTs---base and peridious IN our
own. II the path we have chosen leads to
danger, it also leads TO glory. IT it 1+sques
disappointment, it does not incur disgrace.
Having thus unshea;hed the sword, We
trust that the same Fnanly virtues which
carried these States successfully thru' their
struggle for independence, will attend them
IN the present contest, and finally conduct
them to victory. With three times the po-
pulatOn.--with tr,p times the resolIrres and