Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-03-02
VIRGINIA ARGUS.
RICHMO ND.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH g 1914.

The tories grow more imprudent from day
to day. At the commencement of the present
war they confined themselves to specious argu-
ments to prove that II was unjust and inexpea
dient. But now they threaten rebellion, and
denounce the notices Of the authors OF our Ma
tionsl Independence. The next step, we sup>
pose, will be, to propose, openly, u reunion
with the British Empire. These remarks are,
eccasioned by an accidental perusal of part Of
. speech which Robert Goodloe Harper deliv.
cred at Annapolis not long ago, in celebration
Of English successes in Europe. He therein
alledges, that the American revolution in the
southern states was not the result CT principle
or OF patriotic feeling in general. It was, he
says, the effect of adesire in those who were
indebted to British merchants to absolve them
eeiyes from the obligation Of payment. 1t would
be very easy to refute so scandaleus an impu-
tation, were it necessary TO the honor of the
revolutionary heroes of the southern part OF the
Union. 1t is but silly assertion to say that
men would risk the loss Of all their property
and of their lives too, besides exposing their
families to the chance of beggary, to get rid of
. few debts, which q small portion OF that pro-
perry would have fairly discharged. If. at the
close of the war, an objection, for the first
time, was raised against the liquidation of those
debts, what was the cause oft Why. as is
well known, in the course of hostilities, the
people of the southern states had been piuDder
ed contrary To the laws Of war, of their private
property-of their slaves and produce, to TWEEN.
ty times the amount that was done to British
merchants. Hut who logan formal and open
resistance to British tyranny The debtors ct
the south No Resistance began in Boston
and Virginia advanced TO the support of Mas.
sachusetts with firm, undertaking step. This
commonwealth did not hesitate moment when
the rights of the citizens OF New England were
s~ II n Q.cL ol 4
her youth few to the field. And where was
Maryland That Maryland, which nourishes
in her bosom this calumniator of her departed
worthless and her living patriots Open the
pages of our Revolutionary Histoy and see.
Ask the fields of Camden, the Cowpens and
Guilford Courthouse. Ask the modest Howard,
who reposes ON his laureis at BeIvidere, whilst
this intruder pushes himself into notice by his
audacity. Was there no Observation-Disclosures,
nothing but avarice, exhibited in the south
What We're Washington and Laurens; SumPter
and Lee; Williams and Marionl What were
the farmers and farmers soas, who owed
nothing, and who noby rallied to their coun.
try's banncri Look at most of the revolutionary
SURVIVORS: Where are they2 Rolling IN anu
ence, gained in an ayaricious resistance to the
mother couptryf No. indeed. Poor, needy
and forlo II, in general: Toiiing for subsis-
tence and struggling with adversely. A few, it
is true, enjoy affnence Bat that they could
have done under the rule of Britain. What has
excited Mr.. Harper o this outrage OF the feel
ings Of the people OF the south is not distinctly
known, but may be conjec urcd. File wishes,
no doubt, to ingratiate himself with all the old
tories and partizans Of Great Britain in this
county, in order that he may get their law
business He wishes To bring hirsseE into
notice by an excess Of eiironrery: And. it is
net unlikely, not having sufficient solidity of
talents TO rise into permanent distinction in the
United States, he may contemplate an eventual
emigration to the British domnions. Indeed,
there is nothing too prohigate to expect of a
man who commenced his career with the red
cap Of jacobinism, turned British advocate a.
forwards, and in the midst Of war with our
ancient enemy, has the lnsoence to- espouso
the cause of the foe, and brand with intamy the
revolutionary motiye OF halt the nation.