Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-04-09
t. THE VIRGINIA ARGUS.
XENOPHON.-No. III.


nevertheless. be useful to reScitc them:
/. Impressment of American Seamen.
?. Unlawful Biockades, to wit /: Block
AIDES without force and without pro-
per warning, by which the citizens
OF the United States have lost mil
lions of dollars worth of property,
besides the profits of their lawful
trade.
3. An actual war upon American COM
mcrce for seven years, first under
the Rule of Sc, and next under the
Orders lin Council.
4. Interruption of American coasting
trade by British Cruizers, and no.
Yering OF British ships of war ne;lr
our harbors for piratical purpo-
scS
These facts are undeniable. There are
several miner circumstances of hostility, too
fresh IN the memory of every man 10 render
a recital of them necessary.
The causes of Policy are not so obvious
but :hcy are quite as Influential with re-
tlecting minds. l will endeavor TO illustrate
the principal points
j. Reputation. This is thing that can
never be Indifferent. 1t must either be
good or bad: And to nation good re-
putation is of more importance than it is to
an individual because nations being few,
and OF course more marked i'll their inter-
course with each other, are more easily
stamped with the true features OF their cha
racter. The individual may escape, thro'
the machinery OF society, from the odum
or mcrited Reproduction, and suffer diminu-
ton neither OF interest nor of honor but a
nation IS too distinguished thus To elude
pointed observation and acute suffering.
The observation of star is remarked by
TO one but who is not struck with a spot
upon the Sun? Besides, nations, with re-
spcct to each other, are partly in state of
barbarism and the virtues peculiar to that
condition Of humanity are not To be over
looked. What, then, is the chief virtue of
barbarians! Courage to yindicate their
rights and TO avenge their wrongs. With
out that barbarian enjoys no consideration
with his tribe; and without that, Il nation
loses It's reputation among independent
states first submits, is scorncd, then tram
pied upon, and is finally exterminated. H.
every stage of this national decline, the citi-
zen feels its baneful influence: At home,
he is degraded IN his own estimation; the
force Of his mind is enfecbled; noble SEN
timents perish languor succeeds he lives
Z mere sprcuting vegetable, anG shriyels to
Dust Unknown to fame and posterity. A.
broad the citizen is wantonly plundered-
for who will regard the rights of one tina,
has nc efficient guardian; no avenging pro-
teCtor !-He Is reproached with the cowar-
dice Of his nation he is contcmned, dcspised,
and even pitied. Under such Circumstan-
ces, what woRdcr If in his heart he prefers
Ike sigor of despotism to the imbccilit, OF a
weakly republic; and exchanges citizenship
and desttution for vassalage and protect
on? The reasonable and timely energy of
oh, Il 4.
preserve the property of every individual,
and thereby sustain the character Of free
constitution.
.. Actiuity Of Population. Motion is as
necessary to nations Us to the elements OF the
universe. All human societies act upon one
another. The passive community will be
rooted out by the more active one. The ma
ton that refuses or ceases 10 resist agrees
sion, begins to yield to it; and if submission
continues, dissolution of government follows,
sometimes by divisions of territory and an
archy ofthe people, often by a spontaneous
revolution OF the spirited and intelligent men
OF the country, but more frequently by con
quest. This principle is obvious in society
itself; in the rivalry of cival occupations,
the most active artisan or laborer will rise
superior to the others. History furnishes
innumerable examples to the same effect
Passing by minor ones, it will be sufficient to
mention the more striking instances: The
Medcs eXtirpated the empire of the Assy-
rians, the Persians that of the Medes, the
Macedonians that of the Persians, and the
Romans that of the Macedonians. Notwith-
standing the civil wisdom, the profound mi
litary policy, and the magnanimity of the
Romans, the same principle of activity OPP
Grated eventually in relation to them: As
SoOn a c thev ceased Pm a6voDce tba,, Lo,ro,,
to recede; and as they grew lethargic the
greater vigor of the Barbarians pressed up
on them and overturned their empire.
France furnishes case in point: Had she
not reused herself TO resist a combination Of
European princes in the early stages Of her
| revolution, instead of inspiring her neighbors
VITA .~rror and filling the pages of her an
| nails with glory, she would have been parti-
toned among her greedy invaders. II is the
duty ofgovernment to cherish this vital i'm
pulse, without which the Course of the natl
OH will be retrogradc.
g. Increase If Pohuiation Men, like
| plants, multiply by cultivation. Every trade
| or pursuit of life tends to increase their num-
| Der by increasing the means of subsistence.
| The interruption Of commerce curtails not
| only the profits of the merchant and the me-
chanic, but diminishes the gains Ut the agri-
culturist too. The ability to support a ia
mily becomes precarious, and young persons
decline The marriage state. To mark the
effect Of the deterioration of trade upon the
interior Of the country, let us recur to the
state of Ohio. The poor hsn there has on
| ly to labor till he accumulates eighty dollars
he may then enter quarter section of land
for himself, aud marry with certain pros
| pect Of maintenance for a wife and family.
Bat, ia order to gain ready employment to