Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-08-03


ons OF horror and dismay the fairest scene
OF human felicity which nature and art hat
combined to create, he has disGgured an,
/ destroyed. While amidst the ruin he ha
sat and rejuiced like the malignant genius
OF desolation. Misery is the work in which
he Chiefly delights-the vital spirit of ali hi
JOY. So natural is it for him to be pleased
at the misfortunes of others, that his very
love is baneful, and his caresses death. The
strongest evidences he can give nation oil
his attachment, is to pull down their tenn
pies, and to pollute their affairs of liberty
to lay waste their fields; to plunder their
dwellings; to convert their towns into heaps
OF ruin, and to crimson their soil with the
blood OF its inhabitants. And let it be re-
membered, that as far as his ability extend
ed, he has given us the usual demonstrations
of his regard. His prisons have been croutl-
ed with our unoiending citizens. They nave
entered his ports, resting III a firm belief that
a protection provided by national Justice,
and guaranteed by national faith, could not
be violated even by such prodigy of vice
as the Emperor of the French nation himself
In the accomplishment of his base designs,
he does not confide in force alone; he knows
there are objects beyond his power. These
he assais by fraud, and circumvention, the
internal engines with which most of his o.
perations are carried on. He often divests
himself OF the powers of the tyrant, and as
sumes the smile of friendship, i'm order that
he may more easily allure the enemy in the
snare that is laid for them. Let us conera-
tulate ourselves, that we are beyond the
reach of his power, and that we will enjoy
our liberties in spite of the Vaccinations Of
the tyrant.
But while we are reaping the blessings of
a free government, let us not forget those
who are now struggling against those evils
which we have SO lately escaped there are
thous .nds yet deploring the miserable con-
dition of slavery. All Europe at this time is
under the leaden weight of oppression. Be-
hold the situation OF spain What storms
ct desolation have swept that unhappy land
All the heraldry of fancy could not give
just idea of the scenes of destruction and
blood shed which have been exhibited in that
unhappy country. Could the groans Of the
suffering Spaniards reach our ears, methinks
we would fly to their assistance, and endea-
yor to rescue them from the jaws Of des-
1ruction. And see the situation of Holland,
that once Happy state once famous for its
wealth and prosperity. but now reduced TO
poverty and RUM
When we take a view of those countries,
can we complain of the political situation of
our own IT'S true, we have embarked
i'll a war; we have launched into stormy
and boisterous sea- But who can murmur,
who can complain, when he reflects, that
we did not enter into it rashly, without
| weighing well the consequences; bet was
| driven intoi by a direiui necessity We
have been moved by every impulse that
| could arouse nation to arms, and by every
injustice that could awaken the Indignation
OF people. Too long has Britain triumph
ed on'the seas, and traversed the ocean in
order to perpetrate acts OF violence and
outrage too long has she trampled on the
sacred laws of nations, and set at defiance
the vengeance of Heaven. Theyhave STAIN
cd the ocean with innocent blood Gould
the waves speak, they would rise in angry
storm to Heaven, and demand eternal ven
| geance to fall upon that accursed nation I!
Have we any account IN the annals of hsto-
ry, that present tic our view such perfdy,
treachery and nfamy, as has been displayed
by the British government, in their dealings
with this nations How long have we borne
| their insults. depredatons and injuries p
How long have they directed against US
their internal designs, pregnant with mis-
chief and death9 Did not their periidy APP
| pear in the bIackness OF Hell, when they
|
| apeake, when the just Indignation of our
country was aroused; when Justice cried a
| gainst them from the deep, and Liberty
| from her sacred wallss Should not, then,
the feeble ties Of national friendship be cur
| asunder, & respect for Britain ceasei Must
we be linked to a political gorgon, who APP
| pears against us in every shape q destruc-
| ton ? Shall the interests of liberty and indie
| pendence be blened with tyranny and despo-
! tsm Under these inausplCious circumstan.
| ces, God forbid War, 1t is true, is a grea
and mighty calamity; 1t brings along with
| it a long train Of evils and misfortunes bu
| can our patience be as inexhaustible as the
| ocean, while our injuries are as numerous
as the grains of sand ON it's shoresI We has,
too long already held back the arm of hosti
lily; IL beloved us long ago to put it fortl
to avenge cur wrongs-lion Justice, 70
icy, united their calls for its exerIion.
Our national safety is now at hazard, ant
it requires our utmost vigilance to giIart
| against the Vaccinations OF am enemy, wa,
not only makes open attacks upon us, Ga
are working with secret engines, in the verJ
bosom of,our Country. j have no doubt bu
they are now on our shores, hurting from
the formidable arm of the Savage, the thun.
ders of massacre and death The alright
ed inhabitants arc flying from their habita.
tions, and seeking refuge in the interior part,
of the country. from the danger which
/ threatens them-And shall we not be on oui
guard! Are we blind to the danger which
awaits us! Can we behold with careless
indifference the approaching storm, which
may be pregnant with unforeseen destruC.
ton, and which may burst upon us in
flood Of unexpected ruin That whiiwind o
destruction, which is now ragiHg with sucf
violence through Europe, may be gathering
on our shorcs--We cannot always expect :
calm--we cannot expect to be always bask.