The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-05-22

measure It's palladium. However unseason-
able, therefore, 1t often is, and even delete :
rious, especially when connected with our
foreign concerns, it is not in the abstract a
cause of regret, but when clearly under
stood and properly treated is productive of
ultimate good. 1t gives birth to duties in
the administration, and the majority of the
people, to the discharge of which it ope-
rates,as an incentive in the degree in which
it is displayed. These duties are to review
the measures contemplated or taken. To
weigh dispassionateiy the arguments urged
against them, to retract or modify them, if
OF examination, they appear improper, but
TO maintain and enforce them, if, after such
an ordeal, they are found to be called for by
the good of the community.
.HJfer such an examination and such q
Judgment IN favor ofthe measures hrohos-
ed or taken, the dutu TO execute then, is
IMPERATIVE. Ruin and execraton would
be the mcrtcd lot of any government that
did not, under such circumstances, persist
in an honest and enlightened policy for it
would inevitably lose the respect, conf
dence and support of the people. All oppo-
sition TO such measures, whether, external
or internal, must be resolutely met. War
more especially, if called for, must be gone
into with vigor that will give the nation
but one arm. Whenever that step is taken,
he that's not for US must be considered as
against us and treated accordingly. Whea
the will of the majority on this head is once
fairly expressed through their representa-
uves, disaffection must be hushcd. The
happiness of the people, their liberties, their
existence perhaps, and certainly their hon
or, and that of republican institutions, will
all depend upon the undivided exertions of
the whole nation against q common enc
my. Peace may be sought through legiti-
mate channels, but until so obtained, war
must be wased with union and vigcr. We
Halter ourselves that whenever that dire
appeal is made, we shall manifest vigor
and energy that will teach future forbear-
ance to violence and rapine. Our policy
unquestionaby is rarely to go to war bat
when we do enter into it, to wage it so
eifectually as to avert its recurrence to
remote period Those who now advocate
this right have been the habitual friends OF
peace. They hold the reins of govern
ment and, if they were capable OF being
actuated by personal motives, would be a
inong the last to propose it, knowing, as they
well do, the effect which war often has up
on the eventual popularity of men in Office.
BY WY. they can therefore personally gain
nothing, while they may lose much. In
common with the people, trey consider
peace as among the first of blessings, not
only IN its direct effects upon the wealth and
comfort CT individuals, but likewise in its
ultimate effects on the form and nature of a
republican institution, which will indispu-
tably, in the event of war. pass through the
sevcrest ordeal towhiCh they can be exposed.
With these convictions engraven on their
hearts, we have seen the nation and their
representatives clinging to peace with per-
severance scarcely parallclled. While the
faintest CLEANS of hope shot in the horizon,
1t was cherished with zeal and~it is only
no ", when our enemy has scorntully reject
ed the olive branch, and arrogantly declar
ediherself the mistress of the deep, when
she refuses permission to single Ameri
can ship to pass over the ocean unless
thorised by her and when there is not the
least hope ola change in her councils being
effected by moral means ; it is under such
circumstances, that government, solemn
ly pledged to defend the constitution and
maintain the rights of the nation, finding
itself reduced to the alternative of disgrace
or war, has chosen the latter. If ever facts
furnished pledge for sincerity of motive,
and purity of patriotism, that pledge is to
be found in the unvarying principles and
conduct of the administration of our govern
ment.
The same motives that dictated forbear-
any Nluli mp, VIC pei iOu W uCSOCidlIOHy VIII,
whenever war shall commence, recon-
mend energy. For peace must be regain
ed with the least possible delay, and it can
only be regained by vigorous measures. The
whote Physical force ofthc country must
be embarked. The will of the majority
must be obeyed. Minor Interests must
yield to greater, and patriotism must learn
to endure hardships and sacrifices. We
shall be called upon to fight for rights that
cannot be abandoned. Whatever price,
therefore, it may cost to maintain them, must
be paid. Party men aim at paralsing the spi-
Tit of the people by ditfusing an opinion that
the government will not resort to war. But
the day Is rapidly approaching VIXEN this
idle dream will vanish. We conscientious
ly believe that we are on the eve of war,
and that 1t is prudent for every wise man to
prepare for that event.
From Tire Belfast Monfhfy Mrgazine.
MONTHLY RETROSPECT OF Politics.
Our external relations arc not more pros
perously situated, or afford more comfort in
the future prospect, than our
miserable, and to- use Il late phrase, all but
hopeless internal state. The assembly Of
Jamaica has in a petition to the Prince Re
gent described the state of the island, stuff
eriug full proportion Of the commercial
distress of the times. These distresses par
tally proceed from general causes. and are
partly nsepardble from the wretched DO
icy Of slave Keeping. The unhappy West
India islands contain in this Ss stem, the
seeds no. only Of present misery, but Of ma
ny future dreadful evils. Domingo holds
out an awful example.