Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-04-12

Boosting of it, to think for itself, is led, with
a hook in itsnose, and bride in its mouth
by the artifce of few individuals in pow
err; still less can we expect to be exempt
from those national visitations. which re-
suit from the indulgence of a malignant spi'
rit. founded on prejudices which we have,
better than any other nation under Heaven,
the power to remove.-First cast the beam
from thine own eye; and then shalt thou see
clearly to remove the mote that is in thy
brothers eye.
AMERICAN QUESTION.
To the Editor ofthe Morning Chronicle.
SIR--Some months are elapsed since it
was said and said truly, that no one would
give the requisite attention to any thing that
might be written on the subject of the A
mericaD contest. The anxiety of that mo-
ment has yielded to state of things that
ought to have been contemplated from the
steady and magnanimous conduct OF the al
lies, influenced by the heedlessness that of
ten carries success beyond the point of pru.
dence, and dispising the gHat>stings of i'm.
pertinent newsmen that would stimulate
princes and emperors to their duty, by hold
ing forth suspicious of defalcation and even
of treachery. And if the tumult ofjoy that
has succeeded, have so far subsidized TO al
low us to reflect on the terrible profusion
of blood and treasure that has been barter.
ed for state of things, that might have been
had without it; such reflection may be im-
proved into a means of caution against 4 re-
newal of the like prodigality.
/ mean not to enumerate the evils that
have devastated and deluged Europe in
blood; but | do mean to call the atten-
tion OF your readers to a retrospect on this
wreck of matter to reconsider the pangs
of this new birth and to draw FROM the past
the only possible advantage now left, in a
practical lesson for the future,
Nothing can be more shocking than the
rayages of war; save the facility with which
we forget them whereby the salutary eau
ton they should incu!cate on future gene
rations, and even on our own, is lost. Mel
Their are we to consider the war In America
of minor Importance on account OF the small
Ter numbers that we think may be engaged
in it. Individual distress isnot less for not
being shared by al! the world and. were
it so, when we consider show great a mat
ter little FIRE kindleth," we are by ne
means warranted in the belief that the pre-
sent contest, ifpersevered in, WILDE conGn-
ed to a narrow circle. Do we forget tina;
the American revolutionary war brought US
into h stilities with the most powerful states
of Europe, and raised q question of iiti.
cation in the North that is not yet put C
restf
Neither again is the mode Of warfare in
America less subject of depreciation to hu'
manity. We have employed the savages
whose known rule of barbarity is to spare
neither agenor sex ard the event has prov.
ed, setting all suspicion of Connivance, (ir
which have no faith,) out of the question
that we can neither controul them on al
occasions, nor prevent their taking sides
with the enemy, whenever in retaliation fol
| our employment Of hen he sees tic 20 accep
tender OF their services.
These considerations will shew the Anne
| rican Question in a sufficiently importan
| point OF light to occupy column of your pa
per, which propose occasionally TO FL, as.
! serting nothing that does not rest on au,hen
| tic information, denying nothing that does
| and even answering any thing contradictory
| that may De candldly argued under the like
| anshoritY.
| Mutual recriminaton is the very STUFF
that war is made Of: the indulgence of on
own faults with partial eye, while W,
| pnnt those of cur peighbor with sua beam
| a more chastsned inspection of the former
| without neglecting the necessary attention
| to the latter, will enahle us TO make up fo
| ourselves that true judgment on the merit
| Of the case, which is is the duty of fre'
| people to form. This duty does not pre-
| clEde Us from the right of examining an
! thing that may be said GA either side of tn
question but it requires Us TO examine &C
cording 20 the moral rules of evidence
! We surrender our liberty, when we scfIe
| others to think for US I'VE are slaves of tn
worst species, shackled in intellect. ii w
suffer our understanding to be perverted b.
| state impositions, or our passions to enbs
/ blindly under the guidance of any naste
but our impartial reason.
(, In the Course of these essays, the refore
| the.question Of upprovoked aggression OF Ia
! United States, asserted in the late speecl
from the throne, will be freely considered
and some notice will be taken of the parti
cular period in which the American govern
ment called for war.
In looking into the subject before us,
! shall admit whatever may appear TO b,
founded in fact, by whatever industry o.
stimulus it may be brought To light bu
| must beg to be excused from combating tn,
| mere hypotheses Of jaundiced politicians OF
The rawlings OF disappointed statesmen on Ell
| Their side of the Atlantic.
No III.
The list Of provocations, as ensmerated il
the Presidents message, calling for war
| (aDd which he herein considers as exhibit.
ing state OF war on the side Of Great Brp