Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-03-19

IL tuc ioan nau Oeen necessary Tor the sup
port OF the civil list. prepayment of the inte>
rest of the old public debt, we are TO pre-
sumo. indeed we know, that they would not
have opposed 1t, unless on account of its
terms, &c. II Is therefore obvious that the
ground taken by the Minority was, that, in
discussing a bill to maintain the credit of the
nation, 1t was right to enquire whether it
was expedient to provide the money which,
Congress- had already pledged the United
States to pay; or, tn discriminate between
debts already contracted by the govern,
ment. that part should and part should
not be paid.
We are not sufficiently vcrsed in parlia
mentary history to say whether such a course
be or be not unprecedented but it strikes US
as being nnparliamentary and contrary TO
reason. The bill proposed--whatf Not to
make war upon Canada but to borrow mo.
ney tar the service of the year 1914. The
question for debate was not, then, whether
1t was expedient to carry on that war but
whether, so much money being necessary TO
meet the demands on the treasury, the bill
before the house offered, under all circum.
stances. the most advisable way of obtain
mgit Without debating the real question,
the loan was opposed ON the ground, that to
defeat It wonld be to arrest the career of the
administration. Ito use the set phrase for
such occasions) and defeat the measures of
the government. s.
The ground thus takeu by the minority
would justify future congress in acting on
the execrable idea. which has been more
than limited at by q Conspicuous member of
the opposition, but which has received no
Icountcnance elsewhere, Of drawing line of
distinction between the debt created by the
administration of Mr. Adams, for instance and
| that contracted within the lat three years.
with view to paying off the one and spung
ing out the other. No man, however violent
ms political prejudices. however bitter his
hatred tor democracy, will deny that the
Public Debt is integral, incapable of classifi>
cation or graduation |; aud that the Public
Faith. once pledged, is and must remain in>
| vioiable ard sacred, amid all the conflicts Of
party, all the storms of faction.
| Bearing this principle in mind, what
wonid have been the consequence of the re-
lection OF the Loan Bill. 1t is. perhaps AN
impossible case we put; but the Federal
party did all they could to make it other.
wise. The consequence would have been.
the bankruptcy of the Treasury; confusion
and anarchy at home aud. finally, if the
same state OF things remained, an ignomini-
Gus submissionto Whatever terms the arro-
gance OF the enemy might dictate! These
were ihc eiIects the Opposition was labor
ing to realize (for no other could have re.
sulred from the success of their views) with
more than Jacobnic intolerance
We confidently appeal to the patriotism
OF the great body of the Federalists through
out the nation. whether they will give their
support to men who so misrepresent their
feelings. Your government, fellow citizens,
was dragged into a war it could not avoid.
That war it has determined to prosecute
with vigor; but, with a spirit of noble mag
nanimity, evinces its readiness for reconciii-'
alton on honorable terms. What more do
you ask What more San you ask
Do you desire to see your government
humbled in the dast, its very name to be
Come reproach, and It's history to stink in
the nostrils Of pcsterity" If SO, follow your
leadets in the path, they have struck out /; if
you can make proselytes Of your neighbors,
you may enable these men to attain the seals
of office which glitter in their eyes, and
which they avow to be the prize they hope
to gain.
But. if your views are of different cha.
racter, put from you those who would rise. to
eminence on the ruins of the national cha
racter, and in their headlong course tram
pie under foot alike the national character
and the most solemn obligations of public
faith. There are Derters enough in the ma
ton, who would truly represent you.
Nat. Int.