The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-05-29

more abnsed, more injured, than we should
nave been in the same period of bostiities
and the current of our national character
OF our national existence, fellow-citizens, is
gliding out OF view, while we linger on the
shore, vainly imploring the monsters of the
deep to spare us.
he season for action has arrived-ar-
rived. did we say ? as our fruitless but Iau-
dable exertions TO avert the last resort pain
fully prove, it arrived but too long ago i:
And placing our highest trust in that Being,
who sometimes in his nscrutable provi-
dence atilicts the just, but oftner reouites
their constancy, we are likewise full of con-
hnence in the people OF these United States,
in the righteousness of their cause, in the "a
laci1ty, aud energy. OF their aroused endea-
vors. We call to mind. fellow citizens. the
former struggle With Great Britain when,
without arms or ammunition, soldiers or
officers, garrisons or ships, treasury or pre-
paration of any kind, without even COM
pact or government besides common SYM
Pathy and common enthusiasm, the then
thinly scattered people Of the Atlantic
coast, snuffng subsection on the gale at a
distance, erected themselves like COL
umn, on whose summit floated the banner.
l9f liberty, and alone the defenceless
beach breasted the onset of vain glorious
| INVASION undiStnayed at reverses, unsubdu-
ed by neutrality-suspicious. interchangeable,
lnvincible-gradully advancing to discipline,
organization and MISUNDERSTANDING at the
end OF seven years of toll and alternate
fortune, that independence we are now in
our turn challenged to sustain. We call to
mind, fellow citizens, the yet more distant
annals the discovery of our beloved coun-
| try, wien Columbus, the type of the Amer
! lean character, in frail bark, with Il dis
| affected and coward crew, buoyant on the
trackless and unknown deserts of the wes-
tern ocean, Drawing all dangers and doubts,
more terrible than dangers, still kept due
onward his undaunted course, till these
shores appeared--the reward Of resolution
and a just confidence-these shores now CO.
vered with populous, powerful and mar
tai republic, whose citizens need nothing
but to be resolved and Justly confident in
themselves, to conquer, like Columbus, &
the heroes of their own revolution, the
seemingly stupenduous obstacles which in.
fatuated injustice opposes to the accomplish
Inent OF their final and permanent emanci-
patton.
| RESOLVED. As the opinion of this meeting.
that the only efficient remedy for the pro-
tracted and aggravated evils which afiict
our country, will he found in a prompt, vigo-
rous, open war with that power, whose e.
diets blockade the entire continent of Eu-
rope; save only such parts as require our
1instrumentality TO circulate her product
whose fleets not only plumber our law;
tul commerce upon the high seas, but block
ade cur own harbors, and violate the liDer-
ty OF our citizens by the flagitious crime of
impressment Whose councils have the au-
dacity to avow these crimes as their her-
nnanent system of maritime rights and sti-
mulate our citizens to acts Of fraud and vi
olence, In order to sustain her monstrous
scheme of universal monopoly, piracy, and
smuggling
A prompt and vigorous war not for the
limited and impoverished commerce of the
moment, but for our impreSc riptible rights
OF Sovereignty, the liberty Of our citizens.
and the future free circulation of the i'm
mensely accommodating surplus products, of
this free, fertile, extensive continent. These
are legitimate and inevitable casues of war.
ReSolUed, That the liberal and impartia!
conduct of the executive of the United
States, more especially in the military and
naval appointments !; instead of producing
candid and generous sacrifice OF prejudice
and party passions, On the altar of the union
at the shrine OF our country has from q
vrulent faction, the fungus of party oppo-
sition, been returned with malevolent and
traitorous conspiracy to withhold and i'm
pede the national resourCes--discourage K
obstrIct the recruiting service-traduce
the character and motives of the govern
and criminal resistance. ;.-
RESOLVED, That without distinction of
party, we respect and este EN- all who are
devoted to the true interest, honor and in
dependence of our common country-vho
recognize the only principle upon which
tree government can exist the will of the
majority cOnstitutionally pronounced, and
who are ready to obey that will with zeal
and fidelity.
ReSolved, That judging from the firm,
decisive tone of the executive message toI
congress, followed by cooperative measures
of preparation for the "armor and attitude
demanded by the crisis" Grresistibly i'm
PEELED by unceaSing provocation)- the re-
cent call OF the house of Representatives,
With The manifest intention of assuming that
GtHtnde-and our own convictions of theim
mediate necessity OF that awful appeal
We pledg: to the constituted authorities of
our country, in the most solemn and delbe- |
rate manner, all the faculties OF body and |
mind, and all the resources and means with |
which IT has pleased the Almighty to en-
dow us (; to sustain 60 the last extremity the |
war they may cause to be waged against G. !
Britain, the most atrocious and obdurlte |
aggrcssor.
Resolved, That the thanks Of this meet |
ing be presented to those members of Con- |
gress who have supported and shall CONT |
nue. to maintain, the rights, honor and inde- |
pendence of the nation, and in particular TO |
that noble Phalanx the Democratic Dele !
cation OF PENNsYLvANGA-the keystone |