The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-01-25
az JUST, AND FEAR NOr,


We speak. IN the spirit OF the Democracy
OF; Virginia. when we assert that they are
prepared 10 submit To the greatest sacrifices
OF nancy, rather than patiently submit to the
wrongs of ENGLAND. they have 10 fears Of
Taxes OF OF Wars-thcy fear only for the
rights and honor Of the nation. They have
taken their stand and they are with the
government Of their country. They have
- crossed the Rubicon they are in KAY, s.
they will! march 70 Rome"
Their minds are made up to the storm.
Foi three years, have they been ready TO
bring the question TO an issue--the ageressi-
,Cns OF Or. Britain, have SINK into their hearts.
The only ,circumstancc which prevented
these feelings from coming to point, was
the blind and Infamous conduct of her rival.
But at this tine when France ceases to vio-
late oar neutral rights when her DEGREES
are extinct; aud Bat one enemy alone is
presented to our arms, we are ready to
march to battle, for the assertion of our
rights. There is no terror to us in a loan !;
In the name of Il direct tax, or a tax upon
carriages and sugar. The only question,
which they considcr is this is not the OBJ
JeCt worthy OF the means /? Are these taxes
essential TO the war? Is that war essential
to the rights OF our country s-)n these
points, their minds are completely made up
nor viii they stop to count the costs or
grudge the contributions which such a war
may, require.
But we speak not only the sentiments OF
the Democracy of Virginia they are those
of the great republican party Of the u s.
Let the question be fairly put 20 the people
OF this country-and our lives nrcnit they
will not shrink from the sacrifices which are
required at their hands. Ask the patriot,
whe,h he will not drink LIS Split few
cents tlearer whether he would not pay "A
lew dollars year, rather thaa abandon
the liberty Of the seas and those rights which
natures sol has given us IN the great high
way of waters--what wiz tell YOU Ask
the plain, honest planter, as ne SITS at his
frcside, whether he win not cheerfully pay
~ few dollars upon his land rather than give
up the right of exporting its produce to the
best markets. Tell him in the plain honest
style of Nathaniel Macnn, that we mast
either go to war, or give mp our right to ez-
port any thing we make" and it is impossi-
bic that he can faulter in his choice.
But the farmers of our country do not re
quI''e t. be told at this time os day, that such
is their situation. They have read the Br-
tish Orders in Council. They have seenour
vessels swept from the seas-they have seen
the iniquitous decision of Sir William Scott
on these cases. they have seen the letters
OF the British minister in this country, in
Which he hatly tells us, that they will not
Cease to interrupt the expectation CT orr
OWL pEGuuClIOllS III our own SHIPS, but
upon. such conditions as are absolutely
Inconsistent with cur rights; and that an
til the goods IF his country should be per-
IN tied u enter the ports of France, our own
commerce with that empire mg&t b. discon-
1inued.-i They have seen all these things :;
and they have felt them too; and their
minds arc now made up to yield no longer
20 such arrogant & oppressive RESTRICTIONS,
We are not the friends of war--our coun-
fTt tho. f,.in dc -
best reasons which car aCtuate the councils
OF any nation. Nor can we be particularly
ambitious Ola WARMTH @. Britain We have
sought TO avoid 1t with her, for the mos;
powerfllof reasons. The world has seen
the anxiety Of our administration On this
subject; the hosts of papers which have
been wasted. the number of fr0i It's winch
have been formed, the, unavai,ing Efforts
which have been made, the sacrifices which
we have olTered-,mtil the honor itself @,
the nation began TO be cheap. Mr.. Macon
IS perfectly right when he declares that,
- III ever a government showed q disposition
to remain at peace, this government has
shewn that disposition for the last seven or
eight years"
1t we So on in the career OF submission.
where shall we stopf If we yield to the tut
OF foreign nation, which forbids US To
carry the legitimate commerce of this
country to Europe, where is G.. b. to pause in
the career OF her enCroachment Our coast
ing trade may be her next victim--and Sir
w. Scott may illuminate his interdict against
the trade between Charleston and New
York.-If we should now shrink back in
terror OF whisky or landtax, and leave
our rights 60 SHIFT for themselves, we shall
teach this melancholy lesson to all foreign
nations that they may abuse us rs much
as they please they may rain every posi-
Die aiiiictioL upon cur heads that there is
9nercenary spirit among us which will stoop
10 every oppression touch sur pocg-
cts and our rights are regarded as no
ching
/. The great body of the people need no such
SncentiVes 90 spur them on. They will stand
by their administration and their rights
We have even hopes, that the patriotic &
high minded portion of the Federal party
will support their government in the course
which it may adopt that they will raise
their arms against the wrongs Of @. b.; that
when warts once declared and our banners
mfurlcd, they will rally around them; and
that i'll a struggle between their own and "A
foreign nation, their hearts will be with
IN II country.
But we are, at the same time, persuaded,
that there is another portion of this party,
yho will not fail to work against us; that
they will use every means of opposition I;
raising ciatter continually about our ears,
aud pointing with an air of mean exultatioa
A., che Secretary of the a rp,e,trUse rudeef