Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-04-20

deliberate which to choose.--How long
shall we set with our arms folded to-
gether, and still hope for the tontinu
ance OF Peace-when by long series
OF acts, such hope IS proved t. be illu-
sorry? There was, indeed, time when
such hope might well have been in
dulged. Separated as We are from the
Old World by Almighty cxpanse of o.
cean quietly pursuing our honest and
legitimate avocations impartial in our
feelings and irreproachable in our con-
duct towards all nations with Justice
tor our guide and peace for our object,
repeat again, we might well have ho-
ped to have been exempt from those
calamities with which, as with the be-
som of desolation, an angry God has
swept the face of Europe. But rational
as that hope once was, it rould be
madness any longer to indulge in it
The measure of our suGerings is full
that OF our patience is exhausted. The
high seas, the common inheritage of
all nations, have been usur.ed by our
imPlacable enemy, the disturbers of the
peace OF mankind, who contemptuouslv
disregards those laws which had Justice
for their basis, and the universal con
sent OF all the nations of the earth for
their authority. Our vessels have been
seized and conf Gated upon no her
pretext than that which is common to
every spoiler. Our lawful commerce.
W tn the products Of our labour, mois-
tened with the sweat of our brow. has
b EN- exposed to continual spoliatlon-
our native born citizens have been car
RED into captivity to endure hardsnips.
at the enumeration of which humanity
recoils and to complete the black
catalogue wrongs, the nation that has
done these things in the very moment
when she was protesting arden, friend
ship and desire Tor peace, with
perfidy peculiar to herself, audaciousIy
laid her bloody and unhallowed hands
upon the Ark of our political salvation
tire Union of these States--and, by
means the most fagitious, sought it's
destruction She who boasts, that she
is tight ng the battles of civilized man.
and forms the only rampant against u
nivers-l despotism-she who aspires to
the proud and enviable character of
feeding and keeping alive the holy
lamp of Libertv--coolly and deliber
ately plots the subversion, through all
the horrors of civil war, of that Co
vernment which furnishes the only as.
YUM, and constitutes the last hope of
oppressed humanity. To all this. we
have returned nothing but mild remon
strances. These have been treated
with silent neglect--or If answered
with undisguised contumely. What
| alternative have we LIFT but eliminated
with one common sentiment to rally
around our Government; which. con
flding in the justice of our cause and
on the aid of Providence, will probably
make the last solemn appeal of ma
| tons
Remember, that the spirit which The
| approaching crisis demands, is widely
different from that which evaporates in
empty resolves. We must act Let
US place before our eyes the history of
the revolution, and endeavour 10 EN-
ulate the bright example of ur ances
tors. Be not content witt cold
compliance with the requisites of the
law-Do more !--Inculcate upon the
mind OF every man, that upon his own
arm par; may devolve the protection
OF his flre-side from outrage his o.
Perty from pillage, and his country
from invasion. Rouse military ar
dor-Invite your Regiment to volun-
teer musters--If practica lie, attend
them yourself-Impress upon their
minds, that We know not the day nor
the hour when they will be called upon
to act. Should such an occasion oc-
cur, let them be able to exhibit to the
world, the sublime spectacle of a Free
People, with arms IN their hands. re-
gularly disciplined, prepared to defend
the invaluable inheritage which thew
received from their ancestors. and To
transmit it unimpaired to posteritv.
be what your country anticipates
safe defence in every emergeucy--and
receive, as your reward, the solace oil
an approving conscience, and the tri-
butte which always awaits the defenders
OF the liberties of their Country.
With sentiments # high respect.
am your Fellow Citizen,
Us. BARBOUR.
Advicices from Paris, as late as the 18th
Oh March, have been received in Phiadel- |
obi ~. III. Il