Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-10-25

Inc present war is spoken of by the fede-
rsiists as II the disasters were ours, when e.
very body knows, that as to warfare. all the
glory and nearly all the advantage. have
been on our side. But there are three noints
~ view in which the federalists take good
care never to consider the subject; FIST
with respect to our national character: e
condiy, as to the existence IF foreign nfiu
ence; and, thirdly. with regard 10 our in
ternai resources trade and manufactures
hitherto he war has produced more saluta
~ consequences in any one uf those points OF
view, than all the evils which are said 70
nave resulted from hos'ilities. Our people
intoxicated by an unnatural trade and an un
fortunate prosperity, had begun to lose much
OF that indiN iJual virtue, which i'm the ap
gregate stamps greatness upon a nation We
had begun TO think the revolution a dream.
and that this great continent onght to have
renamed the appendage Of the fast anchor
ed isle EnghShmen, English books. fashi-
ons, games, and vices, were changing the
character or our people war has aroused
us from ietharSy that would have termi
mated, II uninterrupted, in extinction of on,
liberties; war has given us a name amones,
nations, and has made even our enemies
dread us. If no other effect than the extir-
patton OF British influence could result from
the war, that alone would more than Justify
and repay al. its costs. But we have no,
merely destroyed the political Influence, we
are every DAY and every houI, breaking a
sunder those chains, which in the rms of
manufactured goods, fastened us to our on
pressors new, agreat, q permanent ME
rest, is risllS IN our country, IN the persons
of our raisers of wool cotton, hemp, &c. ana
OF our capitalists who are calling into actigi-
ty all the arts and powers which genius has
contrived for Diminishing labor mis- new in
terest, ;hIs new description of persons, are
now IN lheIr ID ginning. letthem It fear com.
pention, 1t cannot injure them, even if there
were peace, much less have they to appre
memo now that they find 1t declared bv En-
grand mat there shall not be aay departure
from the old system of piunder and insult. -
forelgn co merce, rom its unnatural gains
intoxicated; habit induced many 10 think
that commerce natural how deuiorabIy
were they deceI' ed = but our own great nm
ternai trade will not intoxicate, 1t Will be
natural, II will become habiual, and once
ioStered never will decay. At present, be
s'des' our wealth Is retained and exchanged
amongst ourselves; our Injuries may be iii
mlnishSd, but our comforts are encreased
our lands, mines, forests, lakes and rivers,
are NOT ; instead of foreign Countries. to be
explored; all the profits will be our own, we
shall haveno risks or perils to insure against;
providence offers every blessing that covet-
business Itself could ask, and all that we want
is this knowlege of our happiness and the
resolution to preserve it, Reverse this po-
sition and contemplate the condition of our
enemies have they not suffered by this war!
what are they not yet to sufferl even their
friends tell us, that war is necessary to their
exlstence--that they cannot be Just without
becoming weak, and that sooner than relin
quish practices destructive of the rights of
others, war will be perpetual: if we could
wish Affections TO eefal them, could we re-
commend more fatal course ? Loaded
with debts and taxes, compelled to retain
foreign troops to quell~insurrections cor
rupt court; prohigate prince what mise-
ry must prevail in such nation vet all
that misery is preferred to a lust poll.
cy, and is endured to maintain dictation ON
the seas. When we shall have so bad
cause to sustain at such price, then indeed
Will there be some scope for Glamour against
war ; but, situated as we now are, the pro.
longation of the war will be no less necessa
ry to our honor than essential to the freedom
and permanent happiness of ourselves and
posterity.
Ii.