Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1812-10-15
The celebrated Tatel's sentiments Of
Wdr.,


Var,
IS He whs takes up arms and at
tacks a natieu that lived in peace
with him, makes an offensive war"
L do not place among the objects OF
offensive war, conquest. or the desire
of inradins the property Of anot'er-
such latitude destitute even OF a
pretenee, is not the object OF Tor
NAL war, bua that Of a robbery. 1dt-
teps Lao Of Nations, book 2, CHI 1.
Is Whoever forms to himself the
idea of war, considers its terrible ell
fects, its destructive and unhappy
consequences; must agree that 1t
should never be undertaken without
the strongest reasons !; humanity is
shocked at a sovereign who without
reason. Iavishes the lives OF his most
faithful subjects, who exposes MS s
people to the havoc and mlserles Oh
war, when he might enjoy an honora-
Die and salutarg peace. And. II TINS
imprudence, this want of love Tor
his people, be accompanied with in
iu,tice towards those he attacks,
what gnilt does he incur, or rather
what a series of crimes does he
commit? besides the misfortune
drawn on his subjects. for which ne
is accountable. he is guilty also of
those he carries amidst an innocent
people. The slaughter OF men. the
pillase of cities, the devastation OF
provinces, are his crimes; ne is re-
sponsible TO God and accountable to
man for every person that is killed.
The violence, the crimes. the various
disorders attendant on the licentious
tumult of arms, pollute his conscience
and blacken his account, as he Is the
original author of them all. May
this faint sketch affect the hearts oil
The leaders of nations and in militia
~ enterprises. suggest to them a
eircuya spection proportional to the
Importance of the subject" Ibid,
book s, CHI. S.
:. Whoever takes arms without
lawful cause, can absolutely have no
kind of risht-all the hostilities he
commits are unjust.
"Heis charseable With all the G.
~
Wis, all the horrors OF the war-aa
the eifusion of blood. the desolatIon
Of families, the rapine, the Vloletl-
ees. the ravages, the burnings, are
his work and his crimes. He is gull
" towards the enemy, OF attacking,
depressing, massaereins. them with
out cause guilty towards his people
of drawing them into acts OF MUS
tee. exposing their lives without ne
cessity, without reason; towards that
part of the subjects whom the war
ruins or who are great sufferers by it,
of losing their lives. their fortunes
or their health. Lastly he is guilty
towards all mankind, of disturbing
their quiet, and setting a pernicious
example. Shocking catalogue OF
miseries and crimes dreadful ac-
count to be given to the king ofkings,
10 the common father OF men may
this light sketch strike the eyes OF
the conductors Of nations, princes,
and their ministers. Why may We
not expect some benefit from it-are
the great lost to all sentiments OF
humanity and honOr-of duty and
religion? And should our weak voice
throughout the whole succession OF
ages, prevent a single war only, how
glorious would our labour be reward
cd :" Ibid, bOOl; 3 C.. 7.
elm doubtful case, where the
rights are uncertain, obscure. and Ii
tiguous-all that can be reasonably
required, is that the question be dis
cusst!: and if it be Impossible fully
to clear il up, let the contest be ter
minated by an equitable treaty.
It'd, book 5, c. 5.