Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-05-24
From he National In,elHpeneer.

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The remarks Oh the London journalists,
published In our last paper, afford us apret-
ty clear notion OF the misconception which |
prevails in England Of the character of The |
American people; at the same time they
are OF very different complexion from the
speculations we have heretofore observed
in the same prints. They speak of an alli-
| ance, OF a corporation with Great Britain
| in her mischievous ntrigues and expeditions
to continental Europe, as the only test of
our national honor or political wisdom. Ac-
customed to see nations bow to the will of
despots. and wage AND terminate wars as
their caprice or ambition might dictate,
they cahnct picture TO themselves n nation
oil ireemen drawing the sword purely in de-
renee ot their rights against injustice and ag-
erosion, and willing to return to peace
whenever justice shall influence the aggrcs-
scr. What connection can such a nation
desire with foreign tyrants? What bond OF
union, what common cause could there be
between pure Republic and corrupt
monarchy None. The character of this
nation Is misrepresented, its motives tlistor-
ted and the object OF the war misunderstood,
when It is supposed that our measures are
) concerted with any view to connection
with the destinies of Europe, or that they
owe their origin to any other than an undi-
videu regard Tor our own honor and prospei :
.y. ouch motives only decided the ques-
ZION between submission and resistance, and
produced an appeal to arms; and such a.
lone will terminate the contest. We stand
: singiy IL defence of violated rights We
disdain foreign aid. Let England renounce
l her unjust Course disclaim the right, found
ed on power alone, of seizing and enslaving
2 our ciuZens, and the war will cease
5 FOR SIX years England made war upon us
5 ana we returned not a blow. But her inju.
ries Could no longer be borne. and we resist.
5 ed her. Further submission would have
stamped indclible disgrace upon tine nation
I. al character. The honor of the American
> people is now retrieved, and their rights de
: tended IN becoming manner. In this confess
we seek no entanging alliances. Relying
: upon our o%n eXertious, the conflict will be
maintained until VIC obtain the only legiti-
mate object OF war,-an honorable heacc
! ms second struggle for independence will
shed an Gccitiorui lustre upon the annals o.
) America, and succeeding generations shall
look back upon the history of their ancestor.
J with pride instead of modification.
we confess however, that the genius al
our political institutions dofnot favor militia
ry establishments. They are better adapted
90 inc milu pursuits OF peace, and sincerely
shaii we1eJoice with our fellow citizens al
the return OF our enemy To reason and JUS
tlce-when tranquility shall again prevail
and the din of war be hushed through our
land. With such feelings, our readers will
believe we viewwi;h satisfaction the rational
change OF tone in the British prints last
received, and the pacific light in which they
at least appear TO have received the sea
mems 6'H. Without expecting much, we
certainly had hoped that some good might
now from that measure. So far we are
NOT disappointed. Anon we shall see the
J result.