Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-08-06
VIRGINIA ARGUS.
To he Pe2tiie Of Charlotte, Prince Edspard,
Cumberland and Buckingham.
RI CT M o ND:
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1912.
FELLOW CITIZENS,

FELLOW CITIZENS,
When an individual becomes a candidate
for public trust, it is his duty to state dis
tinctly to those TO whom he makes a tender
OF his services, the principles by which his
public conduct will be regulated if honored
with their SURFACES. If in ordinary times
this duty is important, it is peculiarly so at
period when our country has been driven
by repeated and continued acts of hostility
either to abandon the principles rendered
sacred by the revolution, or to assert them
with the combined force of the nation. On
union depends the strength of free govern
ment- The enthusiasm of freemen strug-
Cling to maintain their rights. gives to free
government degree OF energy which a ty-
rant cannot command from reluctant slaves.
10 produce union it is essential that a free
people should be convinced of the Justice of
their cause. He who enjoys the blessings of
peace, and all the advantages flowing from
free government and an impartial admi-
nistratinn of justice, will never shrink from
the evils OF wax, vixen convinced that e.
very species of forbearance has been Drac-
ticed by the constituted authorities Of the
country, and that no alternative has been
left but war, open and direct, or an aban-
donment OF rights essentially connected with
the independence of the nation In no form
Can this truth, in my opinion, be more fully
impressed OH the minds of the people than
by review of the course pursued by the
present republican party towards foreign
nations, from the year 1901, when they were
first IGNORED with the public confidence
down to the present time. Such a review
will carry conviction to every unpreiud,ced
mind, that peace has been cherished as the
4heet-anchor of our political safety by the
republican administrations, and that during
the last eight years, if only our injuries had
been consulted, we have had abundant cause
OF war with almost every power with whom
we have commercial relations. In 1902
immediately after the interests of the nation
were conhGed tn the present republican par
II, the treaty OF Amicns was concluded
which restored peace to Europe. The storms
which overShadowed the last years of the
federal administration were dissipated. Our
expences were reduced within a narrow
:sempass, and the fair prospect presented of
rcapiDg rich harvest from our neutral no.
sition, and of applying the whole proceeds of
rapidly increasing revenue to the extin-
guishment of the debts contracted in our
struggle for independence. Our first diff
cuties were with Spain. The right of de-
post at Orleans was denied us in Decem-
Der, 1879, and the people of the western
country deprived OF an outlet for their pro-
duce. On this occasion the opponents of the
republican party made every exertion to
plunge the United States into a war While.
however, preparation was made for main.
tanning the rights ofthe nation, by holding in
readiness detachment of militia, an acsui-
sition of the territory by peaceabIe means
was considered more Congenial 10 the genius
OF a free government, and more consistent
with the principles uniformly protested by
a.. -. l.. L. =
onal confidence. A secret appropriation
was made for the purchase of the territory.
which being situated at the mouth of the
Mississippi, and commanding the whole
commerce of the western country. would
have subjected us to constant collision with
the nation possessing it. The territory be-
ing ceded by Spain TO France, and war re-
commencing in 1903 between Great Britain
and that power, the favorable opportunity
was seized on by the United States, and the
Territory of Louisiana, including Orleans.
purchased. While the territory was nos.
sessed by foreign nations, no opportunity was
omitted by the opponents Of the republican
party to magnify its importance. It was
described in their speeches as a country lar
ger in extent than all Europe, and in eli
mate and soil Il perfect paradise. No soon
or, however, was it acquired in peaceable
ItdbucIs lhdN IL was Represented as Will
derness tit only for the habitation of beasts
and the republican party denounced fol-
squaudcring the funds of the nation in the
purchase of a territory for the acquisition o.
which they we're willing to plunge us into
war. The good sense of the people approx
ed the pacific policy Of the government, and
the importance Of the acquisition was soor
acknowledged by men Of all political opin
ons. The recommencemeut of the war be
tween Grcat Britain and IFaoce in 1903