Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-03-05

N-r IA "lsheu lne Amei1canpeople to know |
what new cause of war had accrued since
the accession OF the present President to the
Chair-slnce the return of Mr. Monroe from
his mission to London. And he wished them
To Know upon what principles this nation,
which has hitherto been preserved in peace
this nation, who, with all the vexations and
losses she has experienced, is still the freest
ana happiest nation on carti--on what prin-
c'pleS she shan nc torn from her fast moor
lngs otpeace, and launched into the tempes-
nous sea OF European politics-into sea of
blood
Mr. X. knew he asked in vain No an
swer could be given. such conduct. in his
opin,on, was in The highest degree wanton,
ana was enough TO call down upon us the
Christening hand Of Him who rules the Uni
verse. we nave tin our power to remain
frce and at peace. Our fresides are safe
ourp PORES and harbors may be defended
but we have imbibea portion of that spirit
Moch lost the Angels tileh' seat in Heaven.
we are about to throw aside our peacef,
state and mingle i'll the dreadful conflict of
European ambition and disorder. His hear,
was sick within him at the sight 1t died AT
the very idea.
1t IS not III our power, said Mr. r. to dive
1pto intnrlty but we can Judge Of the past.
no man who hears II will say that we have
any cause OF wan oow, that we had not eigh-
teen months ago. And, let me ask every
planter and farmer in this country, and I he
leve might add every manufactured too
whether during the last year, in the course
OF which we have been able to sell our bread
stnif at vast profit, it would have been bet
Ter forus to have been engaged in war than
TO have remained in peace To have been
Cut OFT from this market for our produce. 3,
to have had in IT'S stead war, with all its re-
tihne OF land taxes, excuses, salt tax, stamp
tax, &c &c.
Were you to ask any yeoman of common
s0hsS III thls Country such question, he
"ouid iauSh at yon. Whether, during the
past year, he would chuse to have had his
sons lighting battles OH the plains of Abra-
ham, III which he had no interest, with his
produce rotting in his barn, or let the wear
pass away as 1t has done in peace, affordinp
an excellent price for grain of every kind?
ms, SAID he, is an unanswered & unanswera
bic argument.
Ii our Treasury be empty, said Mr. r. it is
owing to our own acts. Repeal your non-im-
portation act. Do away your whole restric-
i've system. Put the two countries, i'll point
oil tact. upon the same footing, and, my life,
upon It, you will find no difficulty in arran
ging your present differences. And 20
ther than do this, will this house plunge the
nation into foreign war, contrary 70 the
pubic sentiment! Contrary to the wishes
ol many OF those who are within the hearing
OF my volce, who may be pushed into a vote
which they wish, if possible, to avoid, IS 1
this a state of things which will authorize
Congress to put the nationinto a state of war
II war were absolutely necessary, there
would be no necessity for individuals to act |
under spch excitements-so that one half |
would enter into it reluctantly, and the other |
he ache Cd &c
measure-like some hapless individual. pre- |
cipltated into single Combat against his own |
VIII, under the lash of the press, and the |
busy talk ofthe coffee house saunterers of the |
day.
But, said Mr. K. has it been taken into
consideration, that these two great belliger-
ents, who for twenty years have been distur
b'ng the repose of mankind, during which
period we have had the wisdom and the yir-
tue, under men acknowledged on all hands
to be great--under Mr. J.5crson, the idol of
one description OF the people--under Mr. II
dams, the idol of an opposite description-
and under Gen. WaShingtoa, the idol of all
to steer clear of any connection with them
may make peace! And if we are now to
takeleaVe of ourpeaceful course, under what
auspices are we about to dofso? Who are
the otatesmeR to plan, or the Military Chief
TO execute! But, rs he had said these bel
hSercnts may make peace, and peace is al
ways made at the eXpence of a weaker now
er. May not Great Britain and France af.
therPerhaps we shall have taken possession
ofCanada, tnd IT to their advantage to make
peace, and IN that case we may be compelled
TO surrender Canada to England or louisa
nd 10 france; or to enter into any other
condition, no matter how much it NAV affect
our interest, fit produce, what these pow
ers always keep in view, their own aggran-
disement.
Are we going to war on the faith of the
duration OF the life of the present Emperor
OF france Are we prepared to rest our
whole hopes on the existence of that man
Or What is worse, to attach ourselves to his
cause, and number ourselves among those he
calls his allies? and for what!
Mr.. X. said it was six or seven years since
this question was first incidentally touched
upon IN this House, on a motion of a member
IRON Pennsylvania, since translated to the o.
sher branch OF the Legislature. He had late
" looked into the opinions which he enter
s'lheu ana expressed on that occasion, and
ne found them precisely TO agree with his
present sentiments and it was satiqfoctorv
20 himself 70 find this agreement but he re.
GREETED also to discover that the forebodincs
OF 'hat day had been unhappily realised in re-
spect to our government
Mr. *. said 1t was not his intention when
he came to the House this morning. to have
spoken ON this subject. He came to enter
ms protest againt the system which is pa-
tronised by those who calf themselves the
Friends OF the Pcople-who style themselves
Republicans.
And 1t he thoughtit would have any effect.
ne would call upon the advocates Of these
AIV IT