Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-08-19
FOR THE ARGUS
To SOME PEorLE OF rHE EAST.

Suc ucelinleS OF nation, that rs Stflkingly
remarked for either of these qualities.
When the spirited displeasure of free
people rises in proportion to the Injustice
that provokes 1t, the nation has nothing to
fear. The conflict can neither be long, nor
arduous: the freeman soon triumphs and the
tyrant falls. The conflict is as speedily de
cided, when the bold, the manly and the elc-
waited voice of freedoms son, sinks into the
mean. the pitifui, the qualified and half
choaked murmurs oftbe vassal. The Free
man then dwindies to the slave, who sinks
into his chains ,-whiie the names Of depart,
cd liberty sadly serve TO freshen on his me-.
fiiory the ever to be remembered loss of the
substancc.--This nation has been reduced
TO decide, for which of these qualities, with
their different consequences, she choo.es to
be remarked. Whether she will continue
a mean and spirtless acquiescence under
the exercise of the mos. degrading violence
20 her rights; or, whether the sword which
IS drawn shall! never be returnedto its scab-
bard until rctributivo justice be attained,
Tie reasons which reused us in the war,
which won our freedom. to break the chains
OF the tyram upon his own head, have ap,
Peared once more once more they should
reuse us to emulate the doughty deeds of
our foretathers, and PROSTATE the lawless
invaders of our rights. The stern displea-
sure of insulted patriots has been provoked
once more, 80 freshen on the memory of the
Brisons what they seem to have forgotten
since the patriotic ordeal Of the American
Revolution, that the mass of the people
VIII always be ready to devote themselves
to difficulties, to dangers and to death for
the liberties OF this country. Amidst this
general opposition to injury and outrage, it
is with mingled feelings of shame an1tlor-
ror, that we have discerned the protest of
many of the people of the East Shame,
Tor the lukewarm submission of n people
whom the proud and daring tyrants in their
defeated struggles to enslave US, selected as
the primsty object of their vengeance.
And horror TO see division in the great na-
tional cause in which we are engaged, and
the banetnl diminution of affection between
brothers OF one great family, at time
when frowning war has chased away each
gentle smile OF peace from Cur country, and
has warned each lover Oft nation to the
field, that he NAV invite the Smiles ofhea-
ven upon his just and righteous cause.
When distrust and division AZ home, begin
to forfeit our power and dignity abroad,
the Chains which we dissolved in the GU
chile OF patriotism, may come from the
forge in forms OF renovated horror, and
make their appearance among Us under
the iataiauSpices OF national prejudice and
partially. To keep up distrust and divi-
sion among the good people ofthis country,
will always be the favorite employment of
some ambitious demagssues, who calculate
on fnirer prospects Of elevation from the
subdivision IF the Union into many distinct
ami partial sovereignties. They have not,
strength nor virtue, nor intellect sufFiciegt to
win the confIaeECe of a numerous people,
yet looking to the prospect OF elevation sonie-
where, by specious professions of solici,ude
for the public veal, they poison the credu
lous afit ctions of their short sighted infatua.
ated worshippers. Step forth, Mr.. Quincy,
you nave furnished an example for my pen.
You have laboured TO rouse your misguided
admirers to oppose by legislative resolution.
the late measures OF the national Governs
ment as improper, impolitic and UNJUST
When your conntry has been bowed down
by foreign oppression until she has almost
lost the physical ability to stand erect, YOU,
sir, to fil the measure of her abasemcut,
have openly declared, that her attempt to
redress her grievances, and, to re assume
the attitude Of an independent nation, is
unjust, iiljudged and irreligious. Unhs.i
tatiDgly to resolve your opposition into in
teTested and ambitious views, may serve yeu
to faint me with a spirit of political persecu-
tien and revenge. But no dsingenuous i'm
putations 10 which may be exposed will
suffer me to hesitate even for n moment
kcp: IN the shade and background by the
more elevated merits Of YOUR political OBJ
ponents. your sullen ambition and your fret
ted temper, have Toused-y you to lavish an
hsbltual and systematioal insolence mp.
onihe men in Office. The lust of pow
er and the intolerance of party spirit have
led you to crave the death of the admins
tration, even by thrust through the
yltals of your country's honor. But thank
Heaven the malice OF the heart is no evil
dence of the lGstre of the mind Parts like
yours may give life and action and real
tiy TO faction, but they can never make a.
ny serious impression upon the numerous
conservators OF the national reputation.
Your reasoning discovers the dishonest
articles OF the gildcd sophist il resem-
bles the pendant icicle from the ewes
OF house the watery spire preserves its
luslre and its form only because Of thercssud
in which it is enshrined: Let a little light
bIrSt upon it, and soon it begins to fritter
and dissolve end shows the stuff Of which It
is composed. You would be witty.
too, 10 give Fictitious colouring to the
srilliancy of your genius. But your wit, is
not the keen cutuHg shaft that flies elastic
iat the rat of the mind, but the dull, the
heavy, The pCDderons slug that is forced with
labour from the wind gdn Of dulDcss.
" When fCTcd from wind guns, lead itself
can Is,
And pond'rous sVgs shoot swiftly through
lie SKY"
The political sciolist, the vain and gan.