Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-05-11
FOREIGN.
From The PHILADELPHIA Democratic Press.
FRENCH VICTORIES

According tn promise, we continue to-day our
translations from the remaining FREE CHI papers
in our hands, which, though neither OF fresher
dates than those hor, tofore published in other
Newspapers, nor indeed altogether different
from those publications, have at least the adj
vantage of being connected and complete AZ
far as they 60, without chasm and confus ion.
We begun with those Of the 9TH February and
proceed now down to the Goth ofthat month in
regular series almost every day affording a
sanguinary conflict aud overwhelming victory
to the French. 1t is difficult to imagine eres,-
err odds than the allies carried with them into
France in their foolish invasion: Old troops 3,
the impulse of suecess. Yettheir invasion was
foolish, because was wanton & pushed forward
probably against the sentiments and views of
most Of the fighting men themselves, by the in.
fluesce of England. 1t is impossible otherwise
to account for the celebrated Frankfort decla-
ration in December, which is SO inconsistent
with subsequent events. To treat with an ac-
tuai government for peace while they were car.
rying determination into the country with the
design of overthfowing that government by war,
and substituting their own stupid creatures for
its present inrumbents, is worthy the policy &
the plans Of England
While we rejoice in the destruction Of such
detes,abie schemes of unprincpied ambition,
and cannot regret the losses with which it les
sons the agents by whose operations they were
to have been accomplished, let us always be in
mind that Russia, though beaten, is neverthe.
less respectable and the friend of the United
States-The Cosaques and their masters have
fallen into some disrepute, from the company
they have kept, in America. But that is rot
their fault and it would certainly be wrong to
impress the people OF this country with antipa-
thies against Russians because Russian festivals
have been made party points among ourselves.
Russia and France will ere long be seen in ali
ance against the monopolizing dominion 9th
seas, as Russia and the other European powers
have been united against the monstrous power
OF France. In the meanwhile, some severe de-
feats will teach all parties caution, for the fii-
ture. Tie Russians have discovered that a
winter in France is as uncongenial with their
constitution as has a winter in Russia proved TO
those of their French invaders 1t is all for the
bes!: and end as it may, England must be the
worse for it.
We rejoice in these victories of the French,
not because they are gained over tile Russians,
but because they tend to hasten the period of
England's reduction. Our regular federalists,
as the Btudgeonites ofNew YORK entitie them
selves, have rejoiced i'll Russian vic tories be-
cause they considered them victories for Eng
land The Emperor Alexander has done this
country the justice to recognise the necess.ty
OF the war and the purity cfthe administration
He has moreover rendered his good Offices fof
the attainment of peace on fair terms. As be.
tween Russia and France, therefore, we should
not hesitate. But throw England into the scale,
Notwithstanding the catalogue of unredress-
cd wrongs America counts az sinst France, we
cannot rejoice in Russian successes, becau q
they pamPsr the pride Of England, and incre ase
the obstacles to an honorable peace.