Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-08-23

reared that what rs said to be trne in regard
| TO morals, may turn out to BE true IN rega rd
10 republics, that there arc more incite-
ments and Inducements to vice G Corrupt
on, than to virtue and patriotism. Such are
the apprehensions to be felt i'm regard to
those viruient and seditious opponents of
the Administrations, whom no reason can
Convince, noexcellcncc can satisfy. II their
opposition had any virtuous principle for it's
foundation, the-same principle would teach
them under thcrbresent momentous crisis of
| affairs, in the issue OF which every thing
dear to the nation is involved, to temper
their violence their harshness, and their in
surrecticnary spirit, with little more pru-
dence and moderation. They would at least
Tor the sake and safety of their Country
cease 20 pursue that line of conduct which
no rational mind can suppose will result, in
any good consequence to Themselves. unless
/, u Is TO be looked for in the ruins OF the ma
ton. Can such conduct as this be termed
vlrtuous and patriotic? where is the sensi-
| bility that should feel national iishonor like
wound where the magnanimity that
shcnld overcome the sordid suggestions of
private views where is that boasted blood
that was 6 fetched from fathers OF war
proof P'-tis cold corruption has stopped
Its circulation, aDd patriotism is looked up
on as an illusion of the head not a feeling
Of the heart.
IT the national measures or the will of the
! pepp.e is not tn our own liking, we have
right 10 entleavour to bring about q change
IN constitutional and temperate manner. !;
but this right does not mean that we should
sacrifice the country rather than not pre-.
vail. That because an individual has q
right to differ i'll opinion from the constjtu-
! ted authorities, il does not follow th3t' he
1 a rirrllf 70
that because he does not approve Of law,
that he has right to destroy the country
or because he may think that war ought not
to have been declared, that ne has any
| right to give aid or comfort to the enemy
either by supplying them with the means
OF hostility or of encouraging them by the
| meahs of se6itious actions and speeches
The existence or ncn-eVistence of any laws
tor the purpose IF restraining this course
! OF violence aud disaifsction, is not the point
81 the present enquiry. Ii is not so much
FOR the purpose of shelving that there is, or
thatthe ought to be any particular provi-
sons upon the subject, as 10 shew the real
state otmlnd in that body or description of
people, who, ipdecently shew every want
OF respect and obedience to- the administra-
ton of the country. and who indeed go so
Tar as to shew an equal want of respect & af
fcotion for the Union & the Republic. That
men nf this description can have no kim of
claim TO TIC virtues or the character of a
Republican or \ Fedcralist And that at
this particular time when their conduct CO
operates so strongly and directly in favor
OF the measures of an imptacable and invaS-
ing foe, they prove themselves destitutefof
even that ordinary share of love for their
country, without which they must to alf IN
tents and purposes be looked upon as enc
mics and traitors. The situation of this
country is unfortunately too fully and forci,
bly, illustrative Of these remarks Ever
since the revolution the British Cabinet has
calculated with great deal of confidence
upon some surviving and Remaining attach
ment to them, and this they have taken
great pains to cherish, improve, and extend
by intrigue and generosity. IL has been FIRE.
qnentiy subject of boasting and self gratu-
lation, that they had British party among
us ready 10 vindicate & advocate them upon
every occasion. Every murmer of dissatis-
faction & every act Of opposition towards the
! administration is ascribed 20 this cause. With
them the only distinction between the bar,
ties Of this country, is that between the
| trends OF their own government, the British
party--Sc the friends Of our own g1vernmess
There is no medium FOR or against Mem
IS the rule OF .heir calcu'a;i n There is
no account taken of any pure and generous
prhc'ple OF investigation whiA can End
fault without declaring hostility which can
censure measure without wishing To ruin
the government, and whic4 would indie.
nantly reject all considerations 1T party po-
ilcy and resentment. rather than see The
honor and dignity of the nation basely bar
tered away or IsnomininnSy given up. The
iedsrahsts. than which there is not n moro
honorable appeistion, or than whom with
proper eXceptions) there is not more pa
ttiotic ses ct men, are entirely thrown out
of view in their estimation, and are nconsi-
Gerateiy and unfortunately thrown into
the balance in their own favor. -
In consequence Of this, they have no
doubt been thus inimical and inhexibie in
| their conduct towards us, and viii continue
so, as long as the British party continue 10
encourage their hopes of our dsunion and
downfall, or of their ascendancy and orr
submission. Il Great Britain has ali alone
been led by these considerations what must
she think in the hour oftrial, whan she has
forced us to the test TO try our ability 10 sun.
port our independence, & when she sees her
own party openly exutius, and increasing
impending embarrassments, and giving her
every aid and encouragement within he
reacii OF their ingenuity and power Under
| these circumstances, would it not be more
man folly IN as TO expect that an end will
\ pc prt to the present war by any sense OF
! right and justice or the part Of Great Bri.
tam we have 20 contend therefore with
THIS opposition, not only as one among the
/ hrst Gauges that bae led 10 tbe ,.r..... a.. !