Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-11-01


vided them into parties, while he cheerful
ly and diligently famed the flames of slisr
sention. But had they when invaded called
forth the bravery and energy of the nation /;
resolved with unaumity to- resist the arms
and. base intrigues of their enemies. they
might have secured, or at least projected.
their political existence. Switzerland, howe
yer, has fallen-Tbe loud shouts of liberty
are no longer to be heard sounding along the
vaslies OF this once happy land; but the
sroans OF oppression are continually re e.
choing over the mountains of unhappy Swift
zerland.
Holland oaused her own destruction. But
yesterday AMI her wealth was immense, her
commerce extensive, her honesty proverbi
al. BY herindustry she converted the most
unprnmising part Ut Europe iEto garden
by her bravery and strength she humbled
the naughty spirit of the king of Span, and
successfully repulsed the vigorous attack of
Lewis 14th by her navy she commanded
universal respect, aud conveyed her mer-
chantmenin safety TO every port on the globe;
by her navy she more than once checked the
unbridied elevation OF BRUSH PRIDE, ard even
rivaled the maritime power OF, England.-
But where now are the brave and virtuous
people of Holland! They are groan ng un
der the fiend like tyranny of Napoleon, and
dare not utter even murmer against the
horrcr of their oppression. They were ru
Msusly divided; tl<a foolishiy believed the
Fee and delusive promises OF the French,
We're :iazzed with Gallo spiendor; and
would not DC persuaded that they were for
cling chains for their own serv;tude until it
was too late.
Il voice as alarming as if it were announce
ed in thunder, as soiemn "a If it were Cons
municated by an angel, seems 10 arise, ifnot
to fcrctell our fate, at least for our warning,
from the tomDs oi these fallen republics. a
spirit of liberty rOcsed the cradle of their.
as we'll as our infancy Their youth was
promising and so was nurs their growth
augarv d prosperity. 50 did ours their great
ness Immortality and SO might ours. They
hive CT arr no more thsir names are
blottCd out # he catalogue ofna:io;s; they
have all sooner or later become the merci-
less victims of done ic fuctlon Ours then
is the only surviving Republic, the last mon
unent OF re nbiicanism; Is lonely solitary
mansion of freedom. Our worthy ancestors
manfully endured abitter and bloody perSe
cutien, they fed from the tyrants of Europe,
aud waded through the proud Atlantic,
+" TO buiid the haLcoyn nest If E6erfy."
And VIII this people think it unWo,ty Of ,hcir
'inhe,itances HiIl they be so blind. so traito
rous to tfcir country and TO posterliy as to
blast forever the rising hopes of this nation
and rob themselves ofindcperdence When
they behold the frightful DGaon which has
en1omhed every European republic, al
ready begin TO sharpen his sword to Cut the
slender thread from which our indcpen
dence and Immortal " elf re are susptDi L,
why III nrt this pafiau take solemn warn
ing against the dreadful approach of such
focs They ough, to bear in mind coutinu-
ally that ms plnnder is uniformly virtue,
and his only weapon vice; hat the indie
pendeuce Of free Country can continue on
ly as long as reascn will dare To speak, and
preju ice consent to hear; while faction.
the vindicatve foe Of liberty sleeps, and vir-
tue reigns.