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

FROM THE NATIONAL INTEILIGENCER.
ne present crisis i'll our affairs exhibits
Il curious phenomenon: The habitual friends
OF peace, those who view peace as among
the tlrst OF blessings, and who consider much
o. the liberty and happiness of nations as
dependent upon 1t, are for war while
these, who have insisted OH the exeediency'
of an occasional if not frequent recurrence
10 war, are now the stout advocates of
peace. AS greater provocation never
did exist than Or. Britain has persevered in
affordng for number of past years. with
eggravacing circumstances steadily increa-
sing, it is impossible 70 find a rational solu-
tiOn for this opposition, except in motives
OF partially to Britain, or of hostility to the
administration cf their own governments
Although there are unquestionably in our
bosom some men who would willingly sac
ritice the interests of their own country to
those OF a foreign nation, we believe them
to be so few in number and insignificant in
influence, as to be altogether: unworthy of
notice III national point of view. The mo-
tives then of this opposition are to be found
III their hostility to the administration of
their government. When we pass i'm re-
view the measures Of our government for
the last twelve years, we find that they
nave, qUifhot any e.rcetifio71, been opposed,
whether they regard our internal or foreign
affairs. However deep the interest, or pre-
cious the honor involved in those measures.
they have been vehemently resisted it. is
true, that the measure of opposition has ma
teriaily differed. In some cases it has been
very great, while in others it has been rcla-
lively small; but in no instance has it been
altogether intermtted On.this view of the
subject, our surprise is lessened at the OPP
position now manifested to the measures of
government, which we are forcibly led to
consider as the unavoidable concomitant of
a free government. Wherever the govern
ment IS free, we know from experience,
there VIII always exist an opposition par
~, made up OF men, some ac.uated by
honest and disinterested motives, and of
others actuated by ambitious, sordid, &
profigate rinciples.-rhe latter class
will always be in opposition to virtuous
government, and they will be sure TO seduce
INTO their ranks some men of the former
description. Thus, in England, we contsm~
plate in Constant existence an opposition
party, who bitterly inveigh against the very
measures. which they support as soon as
they get into place. This is considered so
much as thing Of course, that it produces
generally little effect upon the adniuistra-
ton. HE same appearance would be pre-
sented IN the other states of Europe, did the
structure OF their governments tolerate the
ayowal of an opposition To their measures.
What reason have VIC to expect an exemp-
ton from the common lot of nations p
However superior our political institutions
are to those adopted by any other nation,
our experience has shrwn that place and
cmolument are sought for with as much ca
gerness among us as elsewhere and in
deed, it is probable that in proportion to the
liberty enjoyed by nation, will be the ear
ncstneSs Of the struggle for power. And as
it is BY preiudicing the people against those
in office, that those out of il expect to set in.
we MAJ calculate upon an uninterrupted
opposition.
This opposition. with all its effects. is not
Only the price pajd fsr Liberty, bit in a great