Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-10-21
From hie Ceistinei Of Freedom.
REPUBLICAN FELLOW CITIZENS OF
NEW-JERSEY

of submission to disgraceful peace. The origin
and fraternity of these parties have been noticed
With perhaps as much Difference they merit.
But the justice and policy of the war in which we
are engaged abroad, subjects of infinite more
importance than conflicuons at home, aud re-
quire much more serious attention. Most political
writers III the United States are in the practice OF
assembling to the wisdom or folly OF their own go
vesnment, the prosperity or msfortunes of their
country. Nothing-can be more unjust, nothing can
be more unecnerous. The characters rank aud
properties OF nations, rs Frequently owing TO
the peculiar circumstances in which they plao-
ed rs to any wisdom foresight OF their. own
The opposition of England to the revolution of
France placed Napoleon upon the ruins of the
House ot bourbon, and presented linn with the do
rninion OF the continent OF Europe. Had not the
protraction OF wars, i'll opposition u the freedom oil
France, unlolded his military and political genius
he might never have become in succession Gene-
raj, Consul, and nm Emperor, And had not the
stratagens OF crowned heads, made it essential for
the French people TO confidc in emineuty
qualified TO discipline aud direct their strength the
treueh nation might not ut this period aNete so
much mag mary alarm for the liberties OF the world!
But, our own country presents If possible, more
RrIking effect oil the example of foreign power POI
Icy aud D. justice, in the formation OF national
character indeed, Il may be asserted, with the
scFietest regard truth, that present hos
tile position has resulted, not from misconduct
the part oi our government, but from the imposing
strength and Maynard policy OF governments
grown veieran in injustice and niquity. lnc poll
teal and religious intolerance oil our aifcctionate
mother country, induced the first settlers in the Co
tonies 20 brave the dangers OF the aud Danish
themselves forever from the land OF heir nativity
atld attachments. The despotism OF England drove
them from their homes, to seek in wilderness
three thousand mics from Europe, an asylum OF
peace, liberty aud happiness. The dangers they
Had To eucountc', the wants which they li;s-
BILE aud the pvatious they had To undergo, formed
their minds TO courage and their habits industry
and temperance Remote from the vices at old go-
yernments aud the intrigues and vliany of poor and
sfsiy
ana happy Three thousand miles distant from the
lnmcdmte eoeIcions 4 tyranu:cal government,
suffered 10 acquire knowledge OF their rights, and
70 taste the blessings OF liberty, they entertained
almost idoatroIs attachment for the FIRE edum then
bravery and enterprIZe had purchasetl--an attach
met that has forced its way Into almost ey.ny
country, and shaken every throne IN Europe. Pre-
Vously TO the ever memorable Fourth OF July, this
name government with winch at war; partly
from want OF prine.pie, and parity from necessity
made eucroa, i.meHls rights. Our fathers
knew the distinction between right and lower
They demonstrated against the conduct of OuI ut
tectonate mother country, and attempted 20 reason
her Into compliance With the dictates OF justice
She could not BY all the arguments oi our advocate
at her court be eed, that to Justice was
her best policy, and proceeded 20 an appealto arms
Her mistaken pol cy, IN resorting 20 war; resulted
trem lier contempt for The colonies, and the igno
rance OF her councillors She had never been adj
vsed that dangers aud hardsips, were die parents
OF courage and strength she had never dreamed
that the hard5l!ps vLch her former expressions
had exposed our toreatheis, bad made the offspring
TOO strong for the parent She was oyerthrnwn
and forced TO acknowledge ourindepemdeuee Sup.
ported 10y nNvIcs, whose thunders carried terror 10
the Tcmotest quarters Ct the globe, aud held tho
most powerful Nations OF Europe ia awe assisted
by armies pad with the emoldment of heI murders
and devasLauons III the east, she wus conquered
aud subdued by nRtiou It's infancy Was IL
owing TO misconduct the part of the revolution
aiy heroes OF seYenty six, tiat the COLONIES we're
plunged III war! Was II owing u Their rapacity
and ambition, that So much blood was shed ia a first
contest With aaeeulnate mother eountr-
Was not The declaration OF Independence, preceded
by Inconsistencies, ad suPpicauOns Tor our zig is
Od any arguments e1ude the saSaeity Ot adyo-
Gates at her court, that could have "a tendancy 10
conViee her Oh Tie Jusuce OF cause aud that her
best interests Nere Only 10 be secured By an am!ca
cable Adjustment OF differences Iu what instance
since, has she deyiated nom thc Iujutcc aud iIspo
Icy whICls GhracteiZe her conduct with regard 10
thu oil the revolution Has her eoudlicr pre-.
ce1Ing tue present war, been more Just, moderate
and iOrbearlus than formerly Has she responded
90 cue demands OF conf euss,ion Tor the spOations
her msrauders have committed Oh our commerce
Has she listened TO circumstances against the inn
pressmei't oil o1r seamen Iias Siie been touched
with compassion ut the sta PES her petty tyratts
have mnieied On our country men at the gang
OF her ships OF war! Auy spassiouate citizen OF
the United States on OF the events inter-
woven w'th t'e War Ia Europe, must be convinced,
that our present positioi regard 10 die two
great DeigOrCuts inevitable =; tlat IL mas not
been Inc eject VI partiaity for France OF antipa-
Thy to Enbiaud Lut has resulted, as was before, ~,
marked, nom the unjust policy OF governments
grown veteran III inquity. On toe commencement
OF hcVOluoh OF tiiiec the Ei,gilsl government
deeply Interested Az preventing cGnln.OuOms from
unsettlhs 1'e hereditary cia,s cd sOyereigis e;,si.
iy discovered pIcteNt iOr rOGsiug Europe H. vim
dic"t'"n I crowned hcsts aud tIere eau be little
dOuO', ttat some o. tHe cJnDncnfgl powers engaged
~ coahiiOu WITH Ter, uLderH cobtrct Tor France
IN tue event OF conquest. But, cot rtunatciv Tor
those Tspeeators IA the rights AM territories 0f
other ha IONS, France ubdutd er tncuies ia SUE
oession, u,ui the celebrated battle oil Austcrlitz
gave her the almost absolute minicn oil tie CONT
neht.
Previously, however, 10 this decisive Veto.
~, tne Eisiisu oternment, ANTICIPATING. an
exclusion "a hei commerce fiom the cont
pcpt, by the arms OF France, determined on
the oiy revenge in her power. Size wasnot
unaware, chat u her commerce uQs hToHlbite
ca, and neAHa. frade tr/5 unmoh sfld. y
nCrca WUuid S, Oh be hes Tsvs.l. and relying
ol the lmnelse power Ct her navy, reeata
It's ct ,he laws OF nations ahc the rights of
ueu,iai udbs, shc issued All cIdcr oi council,
on the oth Oi June, '93, declaring that i,
should Oe lawful to seize and detau all YES.
seis, laOen Ia whole OF IA part, with corn o.
meal destined u any pOrt ~ France, or 10
any place occupied ~ the French armie.
1his lhtetuiCt Was a uiIeCt tIOiatun OF the
rights OF neutiais. IEg land had an undou0t,
sd right wItbOat the prvHluigation Of this or
der, 10 capture aga COnocmn, all vessels la
den with articles contraband of war, aud