Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-05-06

i'u" VI preparation, the duties, which now
interrupt the common current of business,
the occasional apprehensions, which the vi
Cihity OF the Toe excite all these have not
merely their use, but Immediately tend to
the safety OF the state, and 10 nerve the peo-
PIE against the threat oil danger whenever
1t may impend. The cause. which suggest
ed and which supports our militia establish
ment, is now seen and felt. The use of ar
arrangements, which in long, inactive peri
Oh OF peace, appear almost without object,
is now manifest and palpable. We behold
an image OF that gloii ous epoch, when Anne
ricans cocrced the acknow edgement of
their rights through scenes of peril, and
suffering, and slaughter aad thousand
patriotic retrospections rush upon the mind.
as we cast glance II the past, and attempt
comparison with the present.
Ii Is gratifying and consoling to find the
nerve OF jealous love of country, not relaxed
and destroyed. by series of peaceful & even
luxurious years. 1t has been apprehended.
and not unnaturaly, that the habits of ac-
QUESTION and speculation, which have pre-
vailed In our country for many years, had
dcadened that national sensibility, which a
lore can make people safe or respected
1t was feared, the flow of wealth had caus-
ed an ebb of patriotism that the love of
|
our rights would BE- surrendered, il they
were but we'll paid for; that Ito borrow am
| aiiuslon from an ingenious orator. we should
be contented. like the tyrant of c. prus, with
our CHAINS, so they We're but OF silver We
| rejoice that the gloomy apprehension was
darker than the reality. The present crisis
| seems to wake that slunbe ring fire, which
should ever blaze on the altar of Freedom.
he menaccs of our naughty foe, against
| TINS " deuoted" city, and Norfolk and Anna.
polis, are received, as they sHoYii be- 1t is
no disgrace, but AN honor. to be the objects
OF peculiar rancour txpm u common foe. 1t
rohsest TO proper pHch, the indignant feel
ings OF the menaced; add thus reused, they
! form hulwark against danger. We donot
envy either the feelings or the fame of those
whose mean shrinking from the common
| cause, whose siavish adherepce to the inte-
rests oil the enemy, have gained them AN &C.
| emfffon from the chance to serb their couS-
Try. Verify, they have their reward. The
ihaeloic star OF cowardly disa ffaction is FIX
ca forever on them. No future esents can
ever efface 1t. Pretences are but,yind.-
he facts will remain. In futurcAtimes.
those VINO are now faithful to thefrAduty,
Will look back with tranquil pleasule on
the era which proved them worthy of Vlcir
ancestors. The. sweet remembrance of d.itv
discharged will cheer and honor, to the daS
of death
here is calm and determined spirit.
WHICH was emphaically the uirfue of the
ncPofnfion. The enduring valor, which
tainted not under privation and fledpot from
PERIL was the pledge OF that success, which
mas gwen to our country more happy and
peaceful years, than has been the lot Of anv
nation IN the Compass of recorded history.
ne wrongs and injuries, which have been
,hickemng on us for years. called for the
last corrective Which remained to be tried.
40 an incident IN the prosecution of hostili-
TIES, we are threatened here Our duties
.peh arc clear; and. once performed, we
ma eholhlng to,r egrct-nay, nothing to fear.
ne contest bears a strong resemblance to
that OF 70, IN two points in others the 81
miiarlty is not so obvious for our meaus
are lar superior, and we have regularly
organized government to direct them. But
tne points OF similarity are the eforts of the
zoe 20 a'Uide, and the e.rtstence cfa ha,ly
y ms .I'hnas among rs. We shall find, for
.ne nature OF man is not changed nor the
mode OF deducing effects from causcs-we
snail ind the absolute necessity of tracing
she plans, and defeating the rxertions OF
.hose trends. The war is Continued, simply
because yreatBritain relies on the BODY of
ier Pattlzan here. Those partizans.have
ioiS cultivated hatred to the government.
@hich aosorbs every sentiment and every
leeiing. which could influence their public
conduct. lfthey entertain the wild dream
OF ever again rising to power, it must be by
.he lDhrY 1.-THE present administration. 1t
IS TINS consideration alone, which can ac-
Count tor the strange fact, that they sheer
ana exult at the dscomftures of their coun-
trymen!
What, then, kcught to be the tone of The
fWie"' as respects, the friends of their coun.
Try and their country's government 1t
should be high, manly, decided. 1t is moi
inc inc, time to allow a single faccid fibre
Whatever may be our expectations from
lhe pending meditation, our business now is
with the armies at the north, and the squa
uron in our waters. Security here is the
reward only of vigilance anti valour. Let
them then be the order of the dav. the
" tone of'the fUneS.''