Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-08-27

vmcn we complain the declaration u war;
lie would not say thar the war was unjust
nut he was willing to declare his opinion that
IN our present unprepared state, 1t was UNI
necessary AMI impolitic; and that for him
sell, If war we must have, I've should have
been less dissatisfied, if it had been declared |
against France, the nation from which, in |
his opinion, had received the greatest de- |
gree at injury and insult. But admitting the |
evils and impolicy, and even the injustice of
the war, i'll the fullest extent which gentie-
men conteaded, he considered its evils ~ no
means insupportabe, and far short of such
as would follow any serious opposition TO the
laws that demanded its vigorous prosecution,
till it should be terminated by an honorable
peace.
We should be Cautious how we employ
delegates Tor political purposes beyond those
who are chosen to act Tor US in pursuance of
existing laws. Whenever the people eXer-
Use the extreme right of opposing oppres-
sive laws, each individual proceeds at his
peril, and must Judge and act for himself on
ms own individual responsibility | his right
IS in its nature unalienable and cannot be de
iegated to another.
There is another and strong objection to
the proposition before us-It contemplates
the choice OF delegates not only to do for us
what can be done only by ourselves, in our
primary assemblies, and ON our individual
responsibility, when the pressing occasion
urges; but 1T Involves further, and If pos
slble, greater absurdity: while il admits that
the pressing occasion which requires our I'M
mediate action has not yet arr ed, it re-
quires us to delegate to others both the right
OF Judging, when the occasion shall happen
and how we shall act under its now unknown
emergencies. The very statement SD :
The giaring ahsurdity of the position.
Let me, said Mr.. Dexter, call the atten
ton OF my fellow citizens to some considera
tons which naturally arse from he coHtem
plated convention. 1t is still the misfortune
OF our country to be divided into two great
political partes--onc anxious to hold, the
other to regain its aScendancy; and both &C
tuated too much by those passions which
are naturally excited by party collisions. 1t
cannot be denied that our delegate e., if cho-
sen. will be selected fr m the front ranks of
one ofthose parties. Ii they meet in conven-
ton, whatever may be their object, they will
meet under circumstances rather calculated
To simulate than allay the animosties of par
4 y. 1t they consider that the people, (whom
they VIII, however improperly, view as
their constituents expect them to do sumc
thing IN their behalt--to dare something to
Shield them from what they are ALREADY
taught to call the oppression of their rash
and tyrannCal rulers. The bolder the mea-
Sures proposed, the greater will be deemed
the merit. Ordinary caution will be stigma
tzed as cowardce ; and even the timid, from
their very fears, be wrought up to act, which
would aPpai the most courageous on ordina-
ry occasions The eSEyTf Dc corhs that
would be excited among the delegates-the
rank and influence which many IF them
would hold i'll society-and above all. their
c"nneXion with the party whose grievances
they undertake to redress-wnud all con-
tribute to draw after them many adherents.
partaking In greater or less degree of their
spirit, and determined to follow and support
them in whatever measure they should re-
commend. This combination of men and
passions, acting under the name of patriot
ism, would be opposed by others, under the
sanction OF the law, who would consider and
treat 1t as treason. l need not dwell on the
rksnme detail from which imagination
shrinks with horror
No--while it is not yet too late will adj
dress myself to the sober reason of my fell
low citizens. Let it be remembered that
resolves and conventions, promising as much
good to the public as the one now contem-
plated and not more threatening in their
language and aspect, have within our own
recollection, preceded one Instruction which
shook this commonwealth to is Centre and
threatened to draw the neighboring states
INTO It's perIlous yorteX-and another which
required the strong arm of the national go
eminent to quell its lawiess and desoIatinp
fury. Permit me to add--those who deli
berately originate and aid insurrettion by Sc
ditious resolves are at all times amenabIc
TO the laws for the consequences. and eerer-
ally more guilty i'll tara con&ciencias than
the insOnsiderate rabble whom they instieate
TO murder and treason. 1t is well known 10
many that in the case of the Pennsylvania
Insurrection, expediency rather than princi-
pie, dictated, the punishment of it's leaders
IN arms, instead of tn leaders in those re
solves, which preceded and produced it
II should also be borne in mind that govern
ment IS armed with power for it's own pre-
servation; and 1t is me duty of mag strates
who hoLd n,f me 8zU9yd la Uain, t. make
the selves a tc1ror tn evH DORIS, and q hraise
TO fho8e 7oho do zveH, by checking ali mis-
Chief plotted against the state in its bud.
Other considerations of M mentous import
have become Connected with the subject of
our present debate.
L" those who have been conversant with
our public journals, it is needless to observe
That separation of the states is suggested
as one OF the objects Of the proposed conven-
tion.
Suppose tor moment a separation were
eiected--would any of the objects for which
those who are now dissati. hed Contend hr
attained! Divided and weakened at bn,,e
should we gain respect abroad? Would our
favorte commerce be more likely tn thrive
under the new restrictions which MIGHT he
imposed in the ports Of the government we
had deiicd and deserted, and under tie bur
thens Which must be imposed to support the
pysueu.e.g nj fttc Now crCvpvr,,,rt xEr-.-t,