Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-10-09

administration to continue the war, for OBJ
jects, which would not have been publicly al
lodged, as a sufficient Justification OF its com
mencementp
Fellow-C Citizens, the same policy and the
same sensibility which dictated the proelams-
tion of November 1910, while our
was bleeding under the lash of France, and
of Denmark, her then notorious instrument,
have prompted the rejection of the proposed
armistice, and will prosecute the war, as long,
as it's authors have the ability TO impose on a
much deceived and much abused people-As
long as the spirit of party shall continue su-
perior to a love of country, and hatred of
England conjoined to Partially for France,
shall lend it additional force. TIL rule Of the
war of SO, ceased with the subject on which
it operated, the existence of French colonies :
the paper blockades, as explained by Mr..
Foster are brought within tie principle of our
own Interpretation of the law of nations the
Orders of Council have been repealed, not,
as were the Berlin and Milan DEGREES, but by
a solemn act Of the same authority which
gave them being, and in a manner conforma-
bic, to ancient and invariable usage. The
subject of impressnent alone remains to be
provided for, and we have the highest autho-
rity for asserting that, disappearing as it did,
from our late discussions with England, it has
not been for several years, beyond the reach
of just and honorable accommodation, on the
principle of convenient and reciprocal con
cessions.
Fellow Citizens, we will not ask, why the
war continues ? Because we have, in fact, re-
ceiyed no satisfactory reason why it was be-
gun. The very act of war, having sanction
ed the right of selecting among many, a sin
gle foe as the object OF our exclusive hostility,
we have seen no motive OF justice or policy
for throwing down our gauntlet to the nation,
with whom it was our highest interest to be
at peace while we court the friendship of
her enemy, whose peace has become Of little
value to us and full of danger. Why have
we challenged for battle q nation most capa-
bic OF lnJurlng us at present, and whose des-
t%ruction, could We accom- Iish it, would be
but tie preiude OF our own subsection to her
rapacious and insidious enemy We have
discovered no reason, why. in a war for for
eign we should have SO chosen
our foe, as to destroy the larger part and inn
mlnently to hazard tie very small residue
OF the only trace, which we could securely
and beneticially enjoy. The most charitable
conclusion which We can form. in regard to
the author of such a war, is one, fatal to his
NN'N P"Niy anu as II II an lbCflSuOIE III
ference from unquestionable facts. tie ~necessi-
ty OF his removal from the station lie now &C.
cupies, is equally obvious.
But, had the war in which we are unhappi-
ly involved, been recommended by every con
sideration Of policy, MIR. Madison has incur
red a heavy responsibility, in urging its com
mencement without a previous preparation
tor its active and vigorous prosecution. Has
he not invited the attack of the enemy. with
olt waiting to put on the armour Of resistance ?
The western wilderness is now bowling with
the eAulting cry of a savage foe, whose incen-
diary torch lights the darkness of the forest
with the nightly fires of defenceless dwellings,,
while his murderous tomahawk drinks up the
blood l. OF their helpless and unsheltered inhabi-
tants-of aged sires, of widows, and Of or
phans. The peaceful citizen is summoned at
The approach OF winter, to quit the fire SIDE
OF his family, IN order to traverse a dreary
desert and to course at an Indictment season,
IN a h1gn northern latitude, the icy margin of
our MAN seas, In quest of a secret and sa-
wage enemy. Should a distant sail meet his
weary eye from the vet liquid surface of the
lake ne will discern at the masthead, the flag
of his Zoe.
Surely our administration is he first, that
ever went To war, in orCer to raise al army,
ana to borrow money to maintain it and yet,
such considerations were among the loudest
arguments urged in favor of a precipitate
commencement Of hostilitles
The maxim of a great general of antiquity
was, that with money, lie could get men !;
and with men, lie could get money" Our
administration has gone to war without hav-
ing either enlisted the men, or borrowed the
money which it required.
Had it but listened to the voice of expert
ence, or the counsels of prudence had ii on
ly waited the arrival of the promised treaty
from France; the return of another vessel
dispatched for intelligence to that favoured